Little Granite Mountain Loop • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Sep 21 2024
		ScaredyCat • Triplogs 204

Hiking	9.59 Miles	1,999 AEG

Hiking	9.59 Miles	3 Hrs 57 Mns	2.62 mph
	1,999 ft AEG	17 Mns Break

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Ended up with 9 of us using Meetup. Everyone showed up from the list. Horrible traffic delays heading N in PHX. Substantial set back on time. Could have driven to an off pavement spot in Flag in that amount of time!

We did keep a strong pace on the lollipop loop starting from Lil Granite. Occasional views, few people and great weather. Several of us went out for an early dinner afterward.

Was not zapped of energy after this one. Will pry crank it up some next week.

Oct 02 2022

AugustWest

Routes 174
Photos 471
Triplogs 184

51 male

Joined Mar 16 2019
Phoenix

Granite Mountain Peak 7295

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Oct 02 2022
		AugustWest • Triplogs 184

Hiking	10.60 Miles	2,329 AEG

Hiking	10.60 Miles	5 Hrs 2 Mns	2.24 mph
	2,329 ft AEG	18 Mns Break

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Great summit and really unique trail. Luna wins the day for making it within 10’ of the summit. The first steep chute up she wasn’t having it, but I moved around to the East and found a way up that she could handle.

It’s a little brushy but nothing poking really. No one best way up or down but I think it would be hard to cliff out. I only found a single choke point that required just a little backtracking. I did get rained on for my final 2 miles in the trees. Plenty of afternoon lightening and thunder that was close to me after 11:30.

I was buzzed by a chopper for most of the final summit ascent. I found out on the way down that they are looking for someone who has been missing for 4 days.

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Wildflower seed in the sand and wind
May the four winds blow you home again

Sep 27 2020

bakerag

Routes 17
Photos 78
Triplogs 47

49 male

Joined Nov 11 2009
Prescott, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Sep 27 2020
		bakerag • Triplogs 47

Hiking	7.00 Miles	1,193 AEG

Hiking	7.00 Miles	3 Hrs 16 Mns	2.14 mph
	1,193 ft AEG

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I really enjoyed this hike. We took it clockwise and the first mile and a half had me thinking I should add it to my running routes, then we started coming to some really loose sections, neither of us fell, but I definitely wouldn't take an unsteady friend on this one. The views were some of the best in Prescott we were always coming around the corner to a new angle on familiar features. Other than the 261 section we only saw one group of hikers, even though the lots were nearly full. The trail is pretty overgrown, but still easy to pick out the right path. I won't put this in my run list, but I am sure we'll hike it again.

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Sep 12 2020

ultrazona

Routes 8
Photos 2,243
Triplogs 204

38 male

Joined Mar 07 2009
Colorado Springs

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Sep 12 2020
		ultrazona • Triplogs 204

Hiking	7.08 Miles	1,289 AEG

Hiking	7.08 Miles	2 Hrs 34 Mns	2.81 mph
	1,289 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

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One downed tree.

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Nov 09 2019

Nightstalker

Routes 189
Photos 7,236
Triplogs 1,740

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Nov 09 2019
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,740

Hiking	7.50 Miles	1,371 AEG

Hiking	7.50 Miles	3 Hrs 50 Mns		2.56 mph
	1,371 ft AEG	54 Mns Break	15 LBS Pack

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We always end up doing Granite Mountain, but today, we decided on Little Granite Mountain Loop. 27 degrees at 7am at the trailhead. Parking lot was 95% full, what's up with that. None of those cars would still be there upon our return. Did the loop clockwise, thinking we'd get in the sun sooner, which ended up the wrong way to find the sun. Lots of climbing early on helped to warm us up. Lots of purple poop on the trail, and trees, and leaves on the ground. Cool section on the backside with big pieces of quartz laying all over the trail. Fun times wandering through the dells before connecting up with Granite Mountain trail. Fantastic lunch at Blue Hills Cafe afterwards!

Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate

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Aug 05 2019

rayhuston

Guides 1
Routes 447
Photos 4,407
Triplogs 938

68 male

Joined Mar 09 2012
Gilbert, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Aug 05 2019
		rayhuston • Triplogs 938

Hiking	7.27 Miles	1,308 AEG

Hiking	7.27 Miles	3 Hrs 21 Mns	2.41 mph
	1,308 ft AEG	20 Mns Break

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Splendid hike. I chose to do this in a CCW direction. It was a tad warm at the SW corner of the loop, a 500 foot ascent to a saddle before dropping down and returning to the trailhead. That ascent required a break on an otherwise easy and enjoyable hike. The trails are in excellent condition.

Since I can't seem to do the big hikes anymore, I'm staying in Prescott for two more days so I can get a couple more "little" hikes in. I also wanted some monsoon action; I have not been disappointed. We had a deluge of rain with a nice show of lightning.

Fun day.

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1 archive

Aug 05 2017

Routes 67
Photos 2,708
Triplogs 755

89 male

Joined Mar 28 2008
Phoenix, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Aug 05 2017
		Tough_Boots • Triplogs 755

Hiking	7.00 Miles	1,193 AEG

Hiking	7.00 Miles
	1,193 ft AEG

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Quick afternoon hike after getting lunch in Prescott. It got a little warmer than expected.

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May 25 2017

MEWhiteman

Guides 47
Routes 96
Photos 850
Triplogs 385

81 male

Joined Dec 24 2005
Phoenix, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		May 25 2017
		MEWhiteman • Triplogs 385

Hiking	4.80 Miles	1,000 AEG

Hiking	4.80 Miles	2 Hrs	2.40 mph
	1,000 ft AEG

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Did an out and back on the Clark Springs Trail part of this loop. There was a reroute near the top which added a few switchbacks between the Clark Springs area and the junction with the Little Granite Mountain Trail. I posted an unofficial track for this on the Little Granite Mountain Loop webpage with my original track. The new trail is easy to follow so no track is necessary.

The hike itself was great; clear and sunny with moderate temperatures.

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Apr 16 2017

Routes 67
Photos 2,708
Triplogs 755

89 male

Joined Mar 28 2008
Phoenix, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Apr 16 2017
		Tough_Boots • Triplogs 755

Hiking	7.30 Miles	1,370 AEG

Hiking	7.30 Miles
	1,370 ft AEG

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I took a friend on a nice, leisurely hike today. The temps were pleasant and the views nice. We found just enough water for Lily to cool her paws and get a cold drink whenever the clouds would disappear and let the sun out. We stopped for smoothies at Rebek's on the way home. It was a diamond day.

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Oct 22 2016

Routes 67
Photos 2,708
Triplogs 755

89 male

Joined Mar 28 2008
Phoenix, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Oct 22 2016
		Tough_Boots • Triplogs 755

Hiking	6.70 Miles	1,370 AEG

Hiking	6.70 Miles
	1,370 ft AEG

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The plan was to do the loop clockwise and then take the Granite Mountain trail up to the overlook-- not the true summit again. The day was pretty easy and pleasant but maybe a little warmer than expected. I stopped to give Lily some water about a half mile before we hit the Granite Mtn Trail and when she started walking again, I could tell something was up. She kept holding up one of her hind legs and licking at her pads. I took a good look. Everything seemed fine-- no burs, thorns, or damaged pads. She didn't seem in pain but something was really bothering her paw. I got her to the Granite Mtn Trail junction and let her rest but she still kept licking at that paw and she made it pretty clear she didn't want to go up that hill. I decided we would just head back to the trailhead at that point to be on the safe side. I think she probably got stung or bit by something-- there were tons of red ants out today. Whatever it was, it didn't stop her from chasing turkeys on the way back. She was totally fine after her nap on the drive home.

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1 archive

Feb 20 2016

clairebear

Photos 188
Triplogs 163

43 female

Joined Oct 26 2011
Tempe, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Feb 20 2016
		clairebear • Triplogs 163

Hiking	13.30 Miles	3,117 AEG

Hiking	13.30 Miles
	3,117 ft AEG

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Balancing Rock Trail #349

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John9L

Tough_Boots

I'm glad I had the chance to hike and get this mountain. The lower trails were a breeze and we easily made good time which came to a screeching halt as we entered the higher trails and the summit came into view. Awesome views at the top, but also lots of lady bugs hanging out which is fine, however I was grossed out because I didn't want to crush any of them and at some spots it was difficult. The bushwhacking to the summit was tougher than I anticipated but we still made really good time and were back at the car in the early afternoon. The trails were also fairly empty which was a surprise.

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Feb 20 2016

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 183
Photos 5,612
Triplogs 1,647

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Feb 20 2016
		John9L • Triplogs 1,647

Hiking	13.47 Miles	3,190 AEG

Hiking	13.47 Miles	6 Hrs 42 Mns	2.40 mph
	3,190 ft AEG	1 Hour 5 Mns Break

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Balancing Rock Trail #349

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clairebear

Tough_Boots

We headed back out to Granite Mountain in Prescott. Kyle and I hiked to the peak a few years ago and decided to return. This time we started with the Little Granite Mountain Loop. We made quick time as we traversed around this side peak. We took a break before we started the hike up the Granite Mountain Trail. We made steady progress as we hiked up the trail. Once up top we opted to head directly for the peak skipping the viewpoint. The going was relatively easy for the first half mile. There were some sporadic cairns that helped but you can’t rely on them and I referred to Route Scout to keep us on track. The climb to the summit went well as we fought our way up. The entire off trail portion of this hike is burned out. I had lots of ash on my hands and clothes.

We topped out and signed the register and took our lunch. The summit is covered in Ladybugs. You had to be careful where you stepped because there were clusters of hundreds of them. After our break we made our return which went really well. We descended from the peak and Lily, Kyle’s dog, did great although I don’t recommend taking dogs to the summit. Once back on trail we flew down and were back to the car around mid-afternoon. It was a nice day in Prescott.

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3 archives

Feb 20 2016

Routes 67
Photos 2,708
Triplogs 755

89 male

Joined Mar 28 2008
Phoenix, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Feb 20 2016
		Tough_Boots • Triplogs 755

Hiking	13.30 Miles	3,117 AEG

Hiking	13.30 Miles
	3,117 ft AEG

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Balancing Rock Trail #349

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clairebear

John9L

Good hike but the summit was way tougher than I remembered. It could have been the "alternate" route we took up

We were all pretty ready to be down from there quickly. I couldn't believe the summit was already swarming with ladybugs-- seems early. Lily did really well-- though I wouldn't recommend taking dogs up to the true summit. She loves that kind of climbing but had to find a couple work-arounds on the way down (she never needed to be picked up lowered). Even though she's done more mileage and almost double that aeg in a day-- I would consider this the most challenging hike she's done. It was my first time doing the Little Granite Mtn Loop and that was really enjoyable

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Jun 22 2015

ads99

Guides 1
Routes 11
Photos 49
Triplogs 15

81 male

Joined Oct 28 2014
Tucson, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Jun 22 2015
		ads99 • Triplogs 15

Hiking	7.60 Miles	1,370 AEG

Hiking	7.60 Miles
	1,370 ft AEG

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Wow! Great trail. Going clockwise you take a forested trail to the summit. The trail has short gentle switchbacks that are fun, with no preposing fall-offs. The summit is great surprise. Sweeping views of the valley and Granite Mountain. I wasn't expecting this so it really was mind blowing. Then the last half of the trail is the decent back - with valley, mountain, and desert views all the way. Just a treat.

Note: I went counterclockwise, and had great footing on a firm trail tot the top. The decent was often noted by looser sand and scrabbly small stones. If I hike this trail agin, I would do it counterclockwise, as looser soil is less of an issue going uphill.

(see photos)

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May 03 2015

Uberdroog

Guides 2
Routes 174
Photos 1,554
Triplogs 179

47 male

Joined Jul 01 2011
Wexford, PA

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		May 03 2015
		Uberdroog • Triplogs 179

Hiking	7.62 Miles	1,475 AEG

Hiking	7.62 Miles	3 Hrs 40 Mns		2.60 mph
	1,475 ft AEG	44 Mns Break	25 LBS Pack

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Metate Connector Trail #353

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A great Sunday hike with some amazing views, wildlife and wildflowers. The weather and rain was just right. I wish I would have packed my fishing pole I might have stayed a little longer. I see on satellite there is large ruin at the top of Little Granite Mnt, we speculated the whole way on the route to the top. Probably make it out here again to see what other adventures this wilderness holds.

Wildflowers Observation Substantial
There was great coverage after you left the 261 onto the 37.

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Sep 28 2014

Hiking_Fool

Routes 11
Photos 260
Triplogs 423

64 male

Joined Mar 12 2011
Cave Creek, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Sep 28 2014
		Hiking_Fool • Triplogs 423

Hiking	3.00 Miles	800 AEG

Hiking	3.00 Miles
	800 ft AEG

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Sep 27 2014

bballard

Routes 1
Photos 356
Triplogs 31

43 male

Joined Nov 23 2007
Tempe, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Sep 27 2014
		bballard • Triplogs 31

Hiking	6.70 Miles	1,370 AEG

Hiking	6.70 Miles	4 Hrs	1.68 mph
	1,370 ft AEG

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Surprise Springs #350

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Heeding no weather warnings, we headed out (figured it wouldn't come in as bad as predicted). Well we were socked a good one! After waiting out the first squall a mile in, the sky started to break, sunshine appeared briefly, and we continued on. But shortly after lunch and "nearby the halfway point of the loop" (according to me) we kept going into impending threatening clouds and torrential rain. Marble sized hail assaulted us. Fierce winds. We carried on, drenched to the bone.

All in all it was an incredibly adventurous way to try this trail for the first time. The scenery is surreal, like a lot of the surrounding Granite Mt. area. Half burned trees added to the effect. It was incredible seeing the passing clouds gathering and swirling about the mountains, tempting us with brief vistas. Flash flooding in drainage areas added another level of danger and it was easy to mistake the trail in spots for adjacent streams.

We were very cold by the end of the experience however and had to keep moving. Not the smartest move on our part, and I can see why hypothermia could be dangerous even with warmer temperatures. But what an incredible memory!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Sacred Datura

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Aug 10 2014

Hiking_Fool

Routes 11
Photos 260
Triplogs 423

64 male

Joined Mar 12 2011
Cave Creek, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Aug 10 2014
		Hiking_Fool • Triplogs 423

Hiking	7.81 Miles	1,539 AEG

Hiking	7.81 Miles
	1,539 ft AEG

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Mar 09 2014

A76100

Routes 1
Triplogs 16

male

Joined Dec 28 2013
Scottsdale

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Mar 09 2014
		A76100 • Triplogs 16

Hiking	6.83 Miles	1,600 AEG

Hiking	6.83 Miles
	1,600 ft AEG

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Started from Granite Mountain Trailhead and took a few detours like Bootlegger trail I was hopping to summit Granite Mtn itself, but this will have to wait until I am wearing long pants. This is a new park and is really well signposted. The trails are very nice for mountain biking. I passed more bikers than hikers. I also saw a few horses. This is a nice park and I look forward to returning

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Jan 18 2014

asu9165

Photos 47
Triplogs 155

49 male

Joined Apr 22 2008
Goodyear

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Jan 18 2014
		asu9165 • Triplogs 155

Hiking	6.70 Miles	1,370 AEG

Hiking	6.70 Miles	2 Hrs 40 Mns	2.51 mph
	1,370 ft AEG

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