Cedar Springs Trail #41 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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This hike starts from the Metate Trailhead Parking Lot in the Granite Basin Lake recreation area west of Prescott, AZ. The first mile is used by lots of hikers, both those climbing up Granite Mountain Trail #261 and those just enjoying the area around Granite Basin Lake. There are also mountain bikers who will take Balancing Rock Trail #261 or head up Clark Spring Trail #40. After Granite Mountain Trail turns right up the mountain, there are some hikers who turn onto Little Granite Mountain Trail #37, but few who take White Rock Spring Trail #39. Almost no one continues west on Cedar Spring Trail #41 and the bushes have spread onto the trail, so pants not shorts are recommended. I've worn both and now I prefer to do this hike when temperatures are below 50°F when I'm comfortable wearing pants. A little west of White Rock Spring Trail, Cedar Springs Trail becomes difficult to follow when hiking west. I have lost the trail every time I've done this hike. There are lots of boulders along Cedar Springs Trail, especially near its junction with White Rock Spring Trail (see photos). Near the west end of this hike, Cedar Springs Trail passes Red Hill Tank and continues on a gravel road which is less interesting. Due to that, and to make this a ten-mile hike, I turned back to return to the trailhead.

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5 archives

Aug 21 2021

joebartels

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Granite Mountain Circumference, AZ

Hiking		Aug 21 2021
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	21.21 Miles	2,128 AEG

Hiking	21.21 Miles	9 Hrs 14 Mns		2.66 mph
	2,128 ft AEG	1 Hour 16 Mns Break	18 LBS Pack

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The_Eagle

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Bruce suggested this and a Sedona option. Rare to choose against Red Rock but I thought this might be the better option with so much recent accumulated rain. It was immediately obvious, miracle grow green-fest was in full swing. A mile in, we could hear Mint Wash running down below. Bruce had a variation vs the loop we did in 2016. He was excited as it seemed prime. It was running clear, wide, and seemingly impossible to cross staying dry like Sutherland Wash.

Some people take it for Granite but this is probably the nicest weather ever in August. Scary grasshoppers that sound like snakes complete the package experience. I recalled two notable positives and two negatives about the loop. It drags a little on the backside and then there was the bushwhack. Bruce didn't recall the bushwhack until we duplicated the mistake.

The positives are strong. From Blair Saddle to Mint Wash is a mighty inspiring stretch with a few huge pines and the best views of Granite's namesake. Albeit a bit rollercoasterish, Mint Wash Trail is a fab trail.

Synopsis
If good hikes have moments of adversity, this is a good one. The early-on creek crossing returned painful wet feet despite several breaks to attempt drying out. Flora was pretty cool as expected. Occasional clouds and a better-than-average breeze. In the end, worn out in a good way.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Baker Spring

Wildflowers Observation Substantial
Substantial for large segments.

	Baker Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	No water flow. The trough is full. Nasty oil sheen. Perhaps drinkable if double-filtered... lol

	Red Hill Tank	76-100% full	76-100% full

	Shroder Tank	1-25% full	1-25% full
	Ricky's tank is a glorified mud puddle, maybe 6% full.

_____________________

- joe

Aug 21 2021

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,760

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Granite Mountain Circumference, AZ

Hiking		Aug 21 2021
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	21.54 Miles	2,388 AEG

Hiking	21.54 Miles	9 Hrs 14 Mns		2.73 mph
	2,388 ft AEG	1 Hour 20 Mns Break	15 LBS Pack

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joebartels

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

A redo of a hike we did 5 years ago as a Plan B. This one is a treat after it rains. With a week of monsoonal moisture. There was water everywhere. Added bonuses, the color Green and flowers everywhere!

We started at Tin Trough #308 and followed the same CCW track as last time, with a twist. I'd noticed a use trail that dropped down into Mint Creek Wash. We could hear the water prior to seeing the water. Pretty area with granite boulders and running water. The trail crisscrossed the flowing Mint Wash several times, which had us scattering to find dry crossings.

Back on the Tin Trough Trail we rollercoastered over to the North Granite Trail #261. I had a 2nd detour planned, but we only took it as far as Baker Spring to check it out. The rest of it looked a bit to overgrown.

We took lunch at the first available shade Cedar Spring trail #41. Up to Red Hill Tank this is a 2 track.
**Public Service Announcement** Do not do what we did twice. On the original hike we followed a FS TOPO trace of #41 past Red Hills Tank. On the 2nd hike 5years later I'd forgotten how much of a BS Bushwhack this was and we re-traced our steps through the crap. There IS an actual trail that can be found if you continue on through the gate at Red Hill Tank. It is clearly visible on satellite view and will save battles with sharp pointy and scratchy stuff. Around Cedar Spring we were back on trail and in better moods.

White Rock Spring Trail #39 finished out the climb to Blair Pass.

The views change up again from here, once on Granite Mountain Trail #261. Tall ponderosas and impressive views of the faces of Granite Mountain.

We stopped briefly at the water faucet at Granite Basin to top off. There were quite a few people enjoying the lake.

Now we are on Mint Wash #345 headed back to the barn. This is my favorite trail on this loop, followed closely by Tin Trough, then Granite Mountain. The water here was also flowing well.

Cool breezes and scattered clouds made the weather almost perfect for August...and did I mention the all green out there and the flowers?

Wildflowers Observation Substantial

	Baker Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Spring box was full

	Cedar Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Water in the was downstream from the spring

Granite Basin Lake

76-100% full

Mint Wash Waters

Gallon + per minute

	Red Hill Tank	26-50% full	26-50% full

	Shroder Tank	1-25% full	1-25% full

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

May 26 2021

LJW

Routes 154
Photos 1,505
Triplogs 266

31 male

Joined Jun 02 2019
Phoenix, AZ

Granite Mountain Loop, AZ

Hiking		May 26 2021
		LJW • Triplogs 266

Hiking	26.53 Miles	4,047 AEG

Hiking	26.53 Miles	9 Hrs 8 Mns	3.16 mph
	4,047 ft AEG	45 Mns Break

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9 linked trail guides

Granite Mountain Peak 7626

Metate Connector Trail #353

West Lake Trail #351

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Granite Mountain up, down, and around. Not sure how I settled on this one, I guess the no-fee Wednesdays help. Cloudy weather, 80 in Prescott, with a short-ish drive. Started at the Granite Basin Rec Area a little after 6am and went clockwise.

Granite Mountain Trail probably the best trail of the day. Not for the sparse pines lower down but for the climb through the granite up the mountain. Went to 7185 first. Nice lookout over Granite Basin. Not something I'd climb, and I'd skip it for the high point coming back. The most beautiful part of the mountain was probably the 7626 spur jct. Maybe the campsite down the trail. Not many pines left, whole lot of rocks. Light bushwhack and scramble up to the summit. Lots of spur trails add confusion. Final climb was super fun, the views top tier for the area.

Back down to White Rock Spring. Nice views toward the mountain. Cedar Springs is a single track to Red Hill Tank. After that a decent road covered in blue wildflowers. West side of the mountain no traffic, but not as scenic as the East side. Lonely forest of juniper and brush. North Granite is also a double track that leads up and around the mountain. Not much of interest besides some mines at the Almosta jct.

Tin Trough was a breath of fresh air. Well maintained single track with good views and forest higher up. Second favorite trail of the day. Some folks out for a walk below the Baby Granite Trail jct. Mint Wash another trail in great shape. Up on the hillside to the North with good views toward Granite Mountain, down into the beautiful wash to the South. Back to the lake and through the open pine forest around the Rec Area via West Lake and Metate Connector.

Wildflowers Observation Light
Good on Granite Mountain 261 and Cedar Springs

Granite Basin Lake

26-50% full

Red Hill Tank

26-50% full

2 archives

Aug 27 2016

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,760

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Granite Mountain Circumference, AZ

Hiking		Aug 27 2016
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	20.28 Miles	2,330 AEG

Hiking	20.28 Miles	8 Hrs 45 Mns		2.62 mph
	2,330 ft AEG	1 Hour Break	16 LBS Pack

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joebartels

Needing to get a hike in after I was sidelined last week for the first time with an injury, Joe planned a Crown King hike as our destination. Mother Nature had other plans. We reached a place on the road to Crown King, just North of Bumble Bee, where we didn't feel safe crossing the flow across the Road. This is just south a bit where Castle Creek goes Under the Road. :next:

https://youtu.be/3_ ... QiMo.

We headed to Prescott

Commercial:
Using the power of the HAZ engine, we turned to Route Manager to develop a route to hike around Granite Mountain on the fly. It was completed and loaded into Route Scout on 2 mobile devices, before we arrived at the Williamson Valley Trailhead

We did a CCW loop of Granite Mountain, starting on the Tin Trough Springs Trail #308 in a light rain and 58 degree. Tin Trough Springs #308 was actually running strong in spots. This is a bit of a roller coaster trail with good views to Granite Mountain and Baby Granite Mountain.

Just past Baby Granite Mountain, you turn on to and old 2 track that's North Granite Mountain #671.

Next it's on Cedar Springs #41. This is two track to Red Hill Tank, after that we found no trail until we got close to Cedar Spring. The best bet here, is to just follow the wash. The travel is much easier. This trail does not get a lot of traffic, but was easy to follow from Cedar Spring to White Rock Spring Trail #39.

This trail is a steady climb to Blair Saddle and Granite Mountain #261. It's here we saw our first hikers and runners of the day.. Not having the time or the energy, we bypassed the climb and continued to Granite Basin Lake. It's a small but picturesque lake.

Mint Wash Trail #345 was our last Trail for the day. The rains had the wash running real well. This is a pretty trail to hit if you are in the area.

We made the best out of a Plan B and were able to hit some new trails.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Yellow Pond Lily

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Black-tailed Rattlesnake

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Granite Basin Lake

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Flash Flood

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

	Granite Basin Lake	76-100% full	76-100% full
	Plenty to go around

	Mint Wash Waters	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Running from recent rains

	Red Hill Tank	26-50% full	26-50% full
	Not a fan of cattle tanks

	Shroder Tank	1-25% full	1-25% full
	Surprised to find this almost dry after all the rain

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

Aug 27 2016

joebartels

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Granite Mountain Circumference, AZ

Hiking		Aug 27 2016
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	19.81 Miles	2,282 AEG

Hiking	19.81 Miles	8 Hrs 45 Mns		2.56 mph
	2,282 ft AEG	1 Hour Break	14 LBS Pack

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The_Eagle

Old man doc eagle and I set out in the rain on #308. The area got hit pretty good by waves of storms just prior to our arrival. This impromptu loop hike was not what I expected. Rice paper silhouettes of Granite Mountain captivated our attention. That serene sight through the rain was rudely interrupted by the music of nature echoing in the distance. Dry creeks flowing like rivers may be the best therapy on earth. The bickering and back n forth jokes gave way. Our pace went from pastel to deep contrast. "Hey check this out", then we raced to the next ravine.

The party was over by #671 when the sun started dissolving the clouds. Still a nice hike on trails I doubt many hikers experience. We found a semi shortcut near Shroder Tank but Bruce isn't a Ricky fan and complained about the missing c.

We turned the corner on #41 just before noon to bring the loop home. 20 minutes later we stopped for lunch. Bruce had a special Oreo sampler session arranged. We flavor profiled Mint Oreos vs Thin Mint Oreos. I taught him how we use our tongues to observe the oreo, but also, once you swallow the oreo, the mint aroma changes because you're receiving it retro-nasally.

The trail petered out at Red Hill Tank. After hopscotching through chaparral we found upper Tonto Wash traveled much easier. Bruce either had an adrenaline kick or oreo flash backs and was off to the races!

Granite Mountain was spectacular approaching Blair Saddle. I love the forest from the saddle down to Mint Wash. It was a first for me along Mint Wash Trail #345. This trail is a winner, especially after heavy morning rain storms! The upper NE third where it gets away from the creek is just okay but made for a nice loop.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Granite Basin Lake Red Hill Tank

Wildflowers Observation Moderate
substantial in areas

	Granite Basin Lake	76-100% full	76-100% full
	looked full

	Mint Wash Waters	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	flowing like a river, not typical

Red Hill Tank

51-75% full

	Shroder Tank	1-25% full	1-25% full
	looked weak for the rain the area just received

_____________________

- joe

Feb 06 2015

toddak

Guides 13
Routes 38
Photos 1,651
Triplogs 577

60 male

Joined Nov 15 2005
Jackson, CA

Prescott, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Feb 06 2015
		toddak • Triplogs 577

Hiking	26.00 Miles	3,500 AEG

Hiking	26.00 Miles	11 Hrs 30 Mns	2.26 mph
	3,500 ft AEG

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8 linked trail guides

Little Granite Mountain Trail #37

Clark Spring Trail #40