Here’s an easy, bird-filled AZ hike in Prescott
The first bird barely caused a stir. The white-crowned sparrow alighted on a winter-bare mesquite branch, ruffled its wings and turned against the whipping prairie wind.
Moments later, a house finch with brilliant red chest plumage landed on the opposite end of the branch, initiating a sort of seesaw balancing act with its smaller companion.
Then, in a flurry, there were dozens. The mesquite tree was flush with birds hanging on every twig, sitting silently waiting for who knows what.
The scene repeated on nearby junipers and catclaw shrubs. Hundreds of birds alternately flocking, flying and perching on the sparse vegetation of Heifer Pasture.
Their sheer numbers and propensity to congregate in large numbers near where I was hiking teased to a crux moment in an Alfred Hitchcock film or maybe a carcass lying unseen in the drainage that paralleled my route.
Clearly, my film noir addiction muddled my perception, for birds behaving like this is the natural way of things in the high grasslands of Prescott National Forest.
Heifer Pasture is a quiet place. Other than the rustling of feathers and bellows of domestic cattle, the stretch of hilly rangeland 3 miles east of Interstate 17 is as peaceful as its pastoral name implies.
The pasture can be explored by way of a maze of forest roads used by ranchers, equestrians and ATV riders. But the rough dirt two-tracks are also great for hikers who appreciate solitude, farreaching vistas and lots of avian company.
One easy route is Forest Road 9650R, which spins off Dugas Road north of Cordes Junction. Flanked by the imposing pinnacle of Estler Peak to the west and a bank of volcanic bluffs and mesas to the east, the road embarks on a mild uphill climb through breezy savannah dotted with low-growing trees and shrubs.
At the 0.4-mile point, veer right at a major junction, pass an old gate and follow the disintegrating track northeast as it makes its way toward the Heifer Pasture well. The 262 feet of elevation gain on this segment is barely noticeable, but as the vegetation gives way from scrub to yucca and cactus, views of the Bradshaw Mountain range to the west begin showing up in majestic style.
At the high point of the hike, the road is smothered in acres of knee-high golden grasses. From this vantage point, the sliver of Interstate 17 cutting through mountain passes is evident only by the glint of passing big rigs and motor homes.
Off to the west, sunlight bounces off the blades of the Heifer Pasture Well windmill that’s tucked into a cleft between two prominent buttes. The road makes a sharp bend and comes to a gate near Black Butte Tank, which was dry on my recent visit. The gate is secured with a rope and must be closed after passing through.
A few yards beyond the tank, the creaky windmill pumps groundwater into a metal stock tank where cattle lap their fill and graze the feed tubs scattered about.
The birds found this place too. Attracted by the water and free buffet, hundreds of birds of species beyond my identification skill set congregate in this idyllic setting. Their fluid aerial displays are worth hanging around to witness.
FR 9650R continues beyond the well, passing corrals and more tanks before connecting with the Great Western Trail. If you want to add miles to this scenic trek, consult the Prescott National Forest map to see the many connecting routes and exploratory options nearby.