Flume Trail to Watson Dam - Granite Dells | Prescott, Arizona

INTRO
Welcome to Day 3 of my journey through Arizona. It is now time to check out of Fountain Hills which served as an excellent hub city for the first 2 days of exploring. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, while remaining in close proximity to hiking trails. The final destination for this episode is Prescott, Arizona 2 and a half hours north.
GEOLOGY
Located outside the city of Prescott in the US state of Arizona, is a unique geological formation called Granite Dells, consisting of massive granite boulders that have eroded into rounded bumpy and unusual shapes giving the rocks a rippled appearance. The rocks formed 1.4 billion years ago at a depth of 2-3 km, before they were uncovered by weathering. By a process known as spheroidal weathering, common in granitic terrains, the rocks assumed rounded shapes and other unusual rock formations that characterize the Granite Dells.
Two very scenic artificial reservoirs - Watson Lake and Willow Lake - lie within the formation. The two lakes combined with numerous hiking trails offer a great place for boating, picnicking, hiking, and birding.
HISTORY OF THE AREA
In the early 1900s, John Bianconi purchased a 160 acre ranch at this site previously owned by Alfred Clough and before that by Joseph Curtis (both of whom had grown fruit trees and crops using water from Willow and Granite Creeks). Bianconi significantly improved the ranch infrastructure and by 1911 he had the largest peach orchard in Arizona, winning multiple awards for his fruits. His wooden flume, an unusual elevated structure combined with an open ditch system, carried water to orchards and also fed a small man-made lake that John Bianconi charged a dollar to local fisherman to use. Hence the name of the “Flume Trail”.
VIDEO PREVIEW RECAP
After a nearly 2 and a half hour drive north to Watson Lake we finally arrived at today’s trailhead: Flume Trail to Watson Dam. Watson is a man-made lake created in April of 1915 with the completion of the Granite Creek dam. This short 2.4 mile hike traverses large granite rock formations with an elevation gain of 450-500 feet depending on which connecting route you take. My father and I also explored several unique photo opportunities offering beautiful views of the lake outlined by the Granite Dells. Once you make it to the end of the trail you can enjoy some views of the dam. As always sit back, relax and don’t forget to subscribe to support my journey throughout the United States.
SOURCES:
www.amusingplanet.com