Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Little Granite Mountain Loop and Granite Mountain Vista

when	September 2, 2023
	Trip Report : May 8, 2021
	Trip Report : May 21, 2016
	Trip Report : May 12, 2012
	Trip Report : May 12, 2001
	Trip Report : July 8, 1998
where	Prescott National Forest, Granite Mountain Wilderness
the hike	The first part of the hike takes us to Granite Mountain Vista and has been done by the Club. The second part of the hike will circumnavigate Little Granite Mountain, counter-clockwise, returning to the Metate trailhead located in the Granite Basin Recreation Area.     If you enjoy a real rock concert, then this is a hike for you. The hike begins as a shady wonderland with immediate views of the vertical rock ledges of the Granite summit to the right. Shortly after exiting the shady section (the massive Doce fire in 2013 left hardly any trees on this part of the mountain) elevation begins in the form of well graded and gradually ascending switchbacks. The switchbacks continue for close to a mile and the next major stop will be Granite Mountain Saddle with great view of the Verde Valley.     The final trek to the Granite Mountain Vista Pointe offers more shady pines and some magnificent level rock slabs carpeting the ground. The trail ends here. We will take a break here, and continue the hike.     We descend and at the junction of Trail #261 and Trail #37, turn south hiking along the west side of Little Granite Mountain. This is exposed desert hiking for about 2.8 miles, gaining about 660 feet. We then return to the trailhead on Trail #40. This is through shaded forest with mature pine and oak trees and is mostly downhill. Required: •  Sturdy hiking boots •  At least 3 liters of water •  Rain poncho •  Hat, sunblock, sunglasses Recommended: •  Lunch or snacks •  Camera
distance	12 miles
time	7-8 hours
EC	+-1800' elevation change. Accumulated elevation gain 2600 feet
elevations	5625' (Trailhead) to 7186' (Granite Mountain)
type	loop
starting at	Metate Trailhead 34° 36.934' N,  112° 33.058' W
on trail	100% — Granite Mountain Trail #261, Little Granite Mountain Trail #37, Clark Springs Trail #40
rating	"B+"   Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs	no
cost	There is a $5 parking pass required. Bring cash. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5/non-member.
weather	Prescott.
leader	co-lead by Li Li. You must email the leader to confirm. Please provide your cell phone number when you sign up in case I need to contact you on the day of the hike. Limited to 12 hikers.
meet	Meet: 6:30 AM McDonald's off I-17 and carefree highway if you want to carpool. 8:00 AM at the Metate Trailhead. Copy and paste into Google Maps: “JC8X+6G Prescott, Arizona”
drive	•  I-17 North to exit 262 at Cordes Junction. • Follow Highway 69 to Prescott, Gurley Road. • Turn right onto E. Sheldon (bypassing downtown Prescott). • Turn right on Montezuma Street, which becomes Whipple Street and then Iron Springs Road. • Go 4.5 miles to Granite Basin Road (Forest Road 374). • Turn right onto Granite Basin Road and drive 3.8 miles to the Metate Trailhead, just past Granite Basin Lake. • Copy and paste into Google Maps: “JC8X+6G Prescott, Arizona”

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updated August 28, 2023	© Copyright 2023, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.