Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Turpentine Loop Day Hike

when	Trip Report : February 23, 2020
where	McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale
the hike	The Granite Mountain Loop hike was done by the Trailblazers on 12/21/19. This will be a longer loop hike located south of the Granite Mountain Loop that has never been done by the Trailblazers as far as I can tell from the trip reports archive. So most of this hike will be exploratory.     Starting from the Granite Mountain Trailhead, we’re going to hike a large 7.8-mile clockwise loop, taking in the Turpentine Trail, Whiskey Bottle Trail, Chuck Wagon Trail, Balanced Rock Trail, Granite Mountain Loop Trail, and finally the Bootlegger Trail back to the trailhead.     We’ll plan on stopping roughly halfway through the loop for a rest and lunch break. Required: •  Sturdy hiking boots •  At least 3 liters of water •  Rain poncho •  Hat, sunblock, sunglasses Recommended: •  Lunch or snacks •  Camera
distance	7.8 miles
time	4-5 hours
EC	+-500' elevation change
elevations	2,570' at the Granite Mt. Trailhead to 2,873' on the Balanced Rock Trail
type	loop
starting at	Granite Mountain Trailhead
on trail	100% — Turpentine, Whiskey Bottle, Chuck Wagon, Balanced Rock, Granite Mountain Loop, Bootlegger Trails
rating	"C"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs allowed	no
cost	Sharing gas expenses with the driver. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
weather	Scottsdale
meet	8:00 AM at Granite Mountain Trailhead.
drive	•  Take the Loop 101 freeway to Pima Road. • Exit the 101 at Pima Road—Exit 36. • Go north on Pima Road for 6 miles to Dynamite Blvd. NOTE: Dynamite Blvd. becomes Rio Verde Drive east of Alma School Road. • Turn right on Dynamite and go east 6 miles to N. 136th Street. You will see the first “Granite Mtn. Trailhead” sign on the right side of the road just before reaching N. 136th Street. • Turn left onto N. 136th Street and go north 2.0 miles to the trailhead. Watch for the second brown metal sign reading “Granite Mtn. Trailhead” on the right side of the road. Turn left just beyond this sign and go to the far west end of the parking area. Restrooms are located near the trailhead.

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updated February 23, 2020	© Copyright 2020, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.