GRANITE MOUNTAIN

GRANITE MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Granite Mountain Wilderness


West of Prescott, the unmistakable, monolith of Granite Mountain dominates the horizon. Meandering through a wilderness of billion-year-old granite boulders and colored with a mosaic of wildflowers and blooming shrubs, trail #261 leads to a scenic, cliff lookout area 2,000 feet over Granite Basin Lake. Junipers, pines and oaks, shade parts of the trail but most are exposed to the sun.
Between the months of December and July, the cliffs are closed (the maintained trails in the area remain open) to climbing due to nesting Peregrine falcons, and if you have a good eye, you may be able to see one of the fastest creatures on the planet in flight. Once at the “Vista Lookout” sign, continue hiking among the boulders as the path hugs the escarpment and opens up to a spectacle of volcanic crags, a blue horizon and distant mountain peaks. At the end of the trail, there’s an optional boulder scramble to an interesting jumble of granite spires.

LENGTH: 9 miles roundtrip
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 5,580 – 7,626 feet feet

GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, take I-17 north to the Cordes Junction interchange then turn left (west) onto Highway 69 toward Prescott. In Prescott, take Highway 89 south (a.k.a. Sheldon Street) and drive 1.3 miles to the “T” intersection with Montezuma Street. Keep following Montezuma Street., which will turn, into Whipple Street which will then turn into Iron Springs Road (a.k.a. SR 10). Drive 3 miles on Iron Springs Road and then turn right onto Granite Basin Road (a.k.a. FR 374). Drive 3.5 miles to the signed Metate trailhead where there’s a restroom and a water fountain. There’s a $2 daily fee per vehicle. The dirt roads are accessible by sedan.

INFORMATION: www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott (928) 443-8000