A short tour of the trail and adjacent facilities

 To experience the trail first hand you would turn South off of Gurley onto Mt. Vernon Street and follow the paved road (Senator Highway) for about 16 miles to the community of Groom Creek. The Nature Trail for the Blind is located just a few hundred yards further behond. Turn left on a gravel road and proceed to the parking lot.

Nature Trail For The Blind in Groom Creek: This trail, built by the sunrise lions club of prescott with cooperation of the U.S. Forest Service, is designed to aid visitors in sensing a topical arizona ponderosa pine forest. although the trail was primarily constructed for the blind, god's creation may be more keenly experienced by all who open their total sense's touch, sight, smell, sound. as you begin the trail be observant of your surroundings: you will be richer for it.

The site for the trail is in the Prescott National Forest and there is a small ($2.00 per car) charge to help cover the cost of maintenance and improvements. The Golden Age card and a number of other passes also cover the entry fee.

As you walk from the parking lot into the area you find an asphalt paved path with a log curbing along one side. The curbing provides a reference line for a blind person to follow along with the cane.

There are a number of bridges along the path that provide access over the uneven terrain.

Displays

A number of displalys are provided that tell the story of local forest dwellers. The model of the subject can be felt by a blind individual to get a sensory picture of the subject being described.

The site itself was once the location for the Groom Creek School. The building continues to serve as a maintenance facility for the Forest Service and is the centerpiece for a picnic area, complete with tables and restroom. When the weather is favorable in the summer the Sunrise Lions Club often hosts brunches for elderly individuals from local nursing homes. The homes transport their clients to the site and Lion members provide the grub and do the cooking.

Lions Club member Tom helps ready the trail for the summer season. Several members of the Sunrise Lions Club also participate in the local Big Brothers, Big Sisters Program. Lion Frank invited his "little" to spend the morning with him helping clean up the Nature Trail for the Blind.

If you decide to visit the trail, hopefully with someone who could not otherwise experience the sights, sounds and smells of the forest in their usual setting, it would be a good idea to contact the Forest Service at their Bradshaw Ranger District office (928-443-8000) to be sure the site is open. A brocure describing the facility is also available from that office.