GRANITE MOUNTAIN
If a climb to a Granite peak near Prescott to good views appeals to you, then
you'll like this hike.
HOW
TO GET THERE
This hike is located near Prescott, AZ.
To get to the trailhead: from the Phoenix area, take I-17 North to
Cordes Junction. Take HWY-69 towards Prescott here. Traveling into
Prescott from this route, the main street becomes Gurley St. Once you get
to downtown, turn right (North) on Montezuma. This road soon becomes
Whipple St., then it becomes Iron Springs Road. Keep an eye out for
Granite Basin Road and make a right on this road. Take this paved road 3.6
miles to the Metate trailhead. As of October 2004, there is a $2 day use
fee for this area.
RATING
Be Aware of: Day use fee.
30 yr old Recommendation: Why didn't I bring my climbing shoes! Nice
climb to great views. This is a moderate hike because of the
elevation gain. Bring your binoculars to watch for the falcons and the
rock climbers.
DETAILS
Elevation change: About 1500 ft elevation gain.
Distance: 8.2 miles round trip.
Time: It took us 4.0 hours hiking to complete this hike, with a 20 minute
stop at the top.
Time of year: Fall, Winter, and Spring. We went a little late in the
season and there was some snow on the top.
Solitude: Fair. Expect 10-20 other hikers/climbers in this area.
We took this hike a few days after a healthy rain. The snow at the top
gave Granite Mountain an added level of charm. The day was warm enough to
melt the snow, so the trail was a little muddy and wet. Still, we really
enjoyed this hike.
From the well marked parking area, pay your $2 like a good citizen and
cross the road to find the Granite Mountain trail (TR# 261). The
trail crosses a normally dry creek (which had water in it during our hike)
and stays flat for a little while. This trail is well signed, so stay on
TR#261 for the duration of this hike.
After 1.8 miles you reach Blair Pass. There is a gate here that leads
to two other trails. Don't go through this gate, instead turning right and
following the trail as it heads towards Granite Mountain. Continue to
follow this trail as you pass by the climbers trying their luck on the
excellent climbing rock of Granite Mountain. Watch the skies for a glimpse
of the endangered Peregrine falcons that like to nest in this area.
After 4.1 miles of hiking and a total elevation gain of 1500 ft, you
will reach the Granite Mountain vista. Find a nice rock to enjoy your
lunch and the surrounding views. You can easily see the city of Prescott
from here, as well as a good view of Thumb butte and the Bradshaw
mountains behind.
Return by the same route.
[Granite Mountain
as viewed from the trail]
[Willie the Tarantula. So named because
he gave Karen the Willies]
return to top...
This hike was taken in October 2004
