Story and photos by Cheryl Hartz
Constellation Trails in Prescott’s Granite Dells is not named for the features of the night sky, although it would be the perfect place to stargaze, especially from the small amphitheater near the story of its name.
The Constellation system honors the crew of a United States Air Force Lockheed C-121G Super Constellation that crashed at the site on February 28, 1959, during a training mission out of Phoenix. A plaque installed as an Eagle Project by Cody J. Walker, Boy Scout Troop 10, in the summer of 2011, lists the five U.S. Navy servicemen who lost their lives: Commander Lukas Victor Dachs, Lieutenant Theodore L. Rivenburg, Jr., Lieutenant Edward Francis Souza, Flight Engineer Calvin Coolidge Coon and Engineer James Stephan Miller.
Thank you to the Navy men, and also thank you to young Mr. Walker and the City of Prescott for commemorating their service.
Thank you also to Ryan Peeples, Boy Scout Troop 6, who completed his Eagle Scout project with an information kiosk at the trailhead the following year.
The Constellation is actually a main loop with a collective set of interlocking trails for a total of 3.53 miles. The cross trails have such whimsical names as Ham and Cheese, Hully Gully, and Hole in the Wall.
Terrain mostly is packed earth or slick rock. Trails are recommended for hiking and biking, but many sections are not conducive to the latter, especially for casual riders.
The city does tout it as having more ground level than some other trails in the Dells. It is a favorite of dog walkers, as evidenced by a memorial bench, as well as a humorous sign reminding people to pick up after their canines, because “There is no poop fairy.”
The first parts of the trail feature huge oak trees, but shade becomes sparse along the Dell edges. Therefore this is a better early morning or else an evening hike during the summer months.
Elevation is around 5,000 feet, so Phoenix folks might be OK with summer daytime temperatures that definitely are cooler than those to which they are accustomed. Too hot for me!
Through a short tunnel under Highway 89, it connects with the Phippen Trail, and then the Walden Farms Trail, continuing via roadway/sidewalks to the North Peavine trailhead. Approximate distance from the tunnel is two miles.
Take plenty of water and pack out what you pack in. The trail has no garbage service or water. The circular trail system is surrounded by private property, so please stay on the main trails. Many social trails could take you erroneously onto private property.
Like other City of Prescott recreation areas, the parking lot has a $3.00 daily use fee. Wednesdays always are free, however.
The Constellation provides access to the Prescott-managed Mile High Trail System. You can download a “map app” of all trails at prescott-az.gov.
Happy Dells hiking!
