Overview: This hike is a pleasant loop hike of 6.7 miles, half in shaded forest and half in open scrub with great views to the west. The hike utilizes the Clark Springs (40), Little Granite Mountain (37) and Granite Mountain (261) trails in the Granite Basin Recreation Area to circumnavigate Little Granite Mountain in Prescott. The latter two trails have been described on Hike Arizona, but not the Clark Springs Trail.
2017: Clark Spring Trail #40 now has more switchbacks, adds 0.3 mi to the loop.
Hike: We began this hike at the Metate Trailhead in the Granite Basin Recreation Area. Begin on the Granite Mountain Trail (#261) across the street from the parking area by the trailhead driveway (N34 36.936 W112 33.078). Follow this for .2 miles to the junction with the Balancing Rock Trail (#349) (N34 37.048 W112 33.094). Turn left here and follow for .15 miles to the intersection with the Clark Springs Trail (#40) (N34 36.964 W112 33.201). Turn right here. The trail begins on a dirt road but quickly turns left off the road at N34 36.974 W112 33.217. The trail begins a steady climb of 850 feet with few switchbacks to the saddle between Little Granite and Two Rock Mountains. This is through shaded forest with mature pine and oak trees. The trail passes Clark Spring at about 1.2 miles from the beginning of trail #40, but we missed it on our hike as we weren't looking for it. The Clark Springs Trail ends at its intersection with the Little Granite Mountain Trail (#37) (N34 36.028 W112 34.472). You pass through a gate at this intersection. Turn right on the Little Granite Mountain trail (#37) and climb the last 100 feet to the highest point on the hike. Beginning here and for the next mile there are great views to the west. Over this distance you are going downhill, a pleasant break from the uphill on the prior trail. We found this trail somewhat eroded as there appears to have been heavy rains in the area prior to our hike (Sep '09). This area was mostly scrub. At 1.6 miles on trail #37 you reach the junction with trail #38 (N34 36.984 W112 34.920). Continue straight on trail #37 here over the undulating terrain until you reach the junction with the Upper Pasture (#39) and Granite Mountain (#261) trails (N34 37.678 W112 34.399). This is about 2.8 miles from the Clark Springs Trail and is evidenced by trail signs and a heavy wooden gate. Go through the gate and turn right on the Granite Mountain Trail (#261) to return to the trailhead. Its about 1.7 miles back to your car from here through shaded forest with only minor ups and downs. When you reach the intersection with trail #349, you retrace your steps from the beginning of the hike to return to the trailhead.
Overview: This hike is a pleasant loop hike of 6.7 miles, half in shaded forest and half in open scrub with great views to the west. The hike utilizes the Clark Springs (40), Little Granite Mountain (37) and Granite Mountain (261) trails in the Granite Basin Recreation Area to circumnavigate Little Granite Mountain in Prescott. The latter two trails have been described on Hike Arizona, but not the Clark Springs Trail.
2017: Clark Spring Trail #40 now has more switchbacks, adds 0.3 mi to the loop.
Hike: We began this hike at the Metate Trailhead in the Granite Basin Recreation Area. Begin on the Granite Mountain Trail (#261) across the street from the parking area by the trailhead driveway (N34 36.936 W112 33.078). Follow this for .2 miles to the junction with the Balancing Rock Trail (#349) (N34 37.048 W112 33.094). Turn left here and follow for .15 miles to the intersection with the Clark Springs Trail (#40) (N34 36.964 W112 33.201). Turn right here. The trail begins on a dirt road but quickly turns left off the road at N34 36.974 W112 33.217. The trail begins a steady climb of 850 feet with few switchbacks to the saddle between Little Granite and Two Rock Mountains. This is through shaded forest with mature pine and oak trees. The trail passes Clark Spring at about 1.2 miles from the beginning of trail #40, but we missed it on our hike as we weren't looking for it. The Clark Springs Trail ends at its intersection with the Little Granite Mountain Trail (#37) (N34 36.028 W112 34.472). You pass through a gate at this intersection. Turn right on the Little Granite Mountain trail (#37) and climb the last 100 feet to the highest point on the hike. Beginning here and for the next mile there are great views to the west. Over this distance you are going downhill, a pleasant break from the uphill on the prior trail. We found this trail somewhat eroded as there appears to have been heavy rains in the area prior to our hike (Sep '09). This area was mostly scrub. At 1.6 miles on trail #37 you reach the junction with trail #38 (N34 36.984 W112 34.920). Continue straight on trail #37 here over the undulating terrain until you reach the junction with the Upper Pasture (#39) and Granite Mountain (#261) trails (N34 37.678 W112 34.399). This is about 2.8 miles from the Clark Springs Trail and is evidenced by trail signs and a heavy wooden gate. Go through the gate and turn right on the Granite Mountain Trail (#261) to return to the trailhead. Its about 1.7 miles back to your car from here through shaded forest with only minor ups and downs. When you reach the intersection with trail #349, you retrace your steps from the beginning of the hike to return to the trailhead.
Gate Policy: If a gate is closed upon arrival, leave it closed after you go through. If it is open, leave it open. Leaving a closed gate open may put cattle in danger. Closing an open gate may cut them off from water. Please be respectful, leave gates as found.
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Only trailheads with six "amenities" have fees. Amenities are picnic tables, trash, toilet, parking, interpretive signing and security.
Directions
Road
Paved - Car Okay
To Metate Trailhead Take I-17 North to the St Rt 69 Prescott exit, turn left (north) When entering Prescott stay Left on SR89 which is Sheldon St. Follow Sheldon St. to the 'T' intersection at Montezuma St. and turn right. Montezuma turns into Whipple which turns into Iron Springs Rd. (St Rt 10). Continue on this road. At about the 3.5 mile mark turn right on FR 374( You will see the brown recreation sign marking the Granite Basin Day Use area including the Metate Trailhead.) Follow the road about 3 miles back to the trailhead parking area at the end of the loop road.
2011-09-16 Garry Milo There is no sign for FR374. There is a sign for Granite Basin Road. Once you turn on to it, the FR374 sign is a few hundred feet down the road.
From PHX (I-10 & AZ-51) 2 hours 18 mins From TUC (Jct 1-10 & Grant) 3 hours 46 mins From FLG (Jct I-17 & I-40) 2 hours 1 min
