It has been a hot time with the spring time sun radiating through a brilliant blue sky that feels more like your seven inches from the midday sun. So while gazing out onto the Black Hills of the Prescott National Forest, I seek relief beneath the cooling Ponderosa Pines of Woodchute Mountain along the Woodchute Trail. Task of the day, pack it up and head on out, into Mother Natures Southwest Wonderland.

The Woodchute Trail starts with in a cooling forest of Ponderosa Pines, Juniper, Oak, Pinon and Manzanita, which occasionally opens up into the mountain meadows of the Woodchute Wilderness. The area got its name from its mining heyday, when logs were cut from the timbered mesa  top of Woodchute Mountain. From there, the logs were delivered down the steep mountain side via a long wooden chute and then transported on a narrow gauge railroad to serve the needs the the various copper mines that were in operation near Jerome, Arizona.

After stepping onto the trail you notice that it is a easy climb along a forested floor as it meanders through cooling Pines and Junipers. As it climbs slowly through the forest you will soon be rewarded with eye opening vistas of the Verde, Chino and Lonesome Valley regions. Bring a camera because you will want to ‘click - click’, for sure.

If the vistas weren’t enough to please your eyes, you will also enjoy an occasional Black Wing Tip Hawk soaring in the thermos above. Mountain Short Horned Lizards, Jack Rabbits and scores of colorful butterflies fluttering about. There is evidence of Bears and the unmistakable sound of Rattlers, hidden with in the vegetation near the trail. Most prominent after the first half mile for a short distance.

Spring flowers were in full bloom with vibrant peddles of white, blue, pink, yellow and the deep reds of the Desert Paintbrush, sometimes known as the Scarlet Locoweed. If that wasn’t enough already, you can gaze upon the Alligator Juniper. A species which seems to have been transplanted by aliens. And if you look closely, you will come across one in which a catus growing on its tree trunk.

After passing the trail fork of Martins Canyon, you climb up over a small saddle on the backside of the canyon and drop down the other side between Woodchute Mountain and Martins Canyon. At this point you will cross a dry creek bed and start your ascent to the upper mesas of Woodchute Mountain.

After reaching the mesa top, the trail continues through forest and meadows for about a mile until you reach a trail cut off. The left fork continues and starts its decent of Woodchute Mountain. If you take the right fork, the trail leads to a ledge on top of the cliffs of Woodchute Mountain.

From this vantage point you are rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of the western  rims of Sycamore Canyon. From here you can gaze upon the San Francisco Peaks rising above Flagstaff with the upper and lower Verde Valley before it. The geological changes of the Verde Valley are vast and beautiful. The Northern end of the valley consists of the deep red rock canyons near Sedona which offer up terrific views to say the least. Whereas the southern end of the valley are more fertile and green.
   
This is a terrific vantage point for a picnic and enjoy a sight that can be seen no where else. Come alone for the solitude or bring some friends to share the adventure. Woodchute offers good medicine for a summer like spring day. So seek relief and step onto the trails of Mother Natures Wonderland.