Red Rock Country - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 470

ritorial capital, Prescott. Nestled in the cool pine forests of the Bradshaw Mountains, the
city exudes a mellow Western charm, especially around its central plaza, which was once
home to the infamous Whiskey Row.
Prescott is wedded to the beauty of its surroundings, and a variety of wilderness excur-
sions offer tempting choices for exploring the country. Among the most appealing is the
Thumb Butte Trail—a loop hike that meanders through a dense ponderosa pine forest to
vistas that extend all the way to the San Francisco Peaks, near Flagstaff. A few miles north
of town via Rte. 89 lies another popular spot for hiking and picnicking: the Granite Dells.
Sometimes called Arizona'sGardenoftheGods,thislabyrinthine jumbleofgiantboulders
attracts avid hikers and rock climbers. Nearby Watson Lake Park, just south of the Dells,
is a fine place to swim, and campers drift off to sleep under the moonlight, fueling their
dreams with memories of this dazzling journey through Red Rock Country.