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Arizona Hiking Trails
Arizona Hiking Trails
Clark Springs Trail | Granite Basin Recreational Area | Prescott National Forest
Clark Springs Trail | Granite Basin Recreational Area | Prescott National Forest
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Clark Springs Trail TR 40 | Granite Basin Recreational Area | Prescott National Forest
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Map and Directions
Rimsurfer Trail Rating and Hike Review
PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST
Granite Basin Recreational Area
Connector Trail - TR 40
Clark Springs Trail
TRAILHEADS (TH)
Iron Springs Road Trailhead
Metate Trailhead - FR 374
ACCESS POINTS
Little Granite Mountain Trail - TR 37
Granite Mountain - TR 261
Trail use: moderate
Trail difficulty: moderate
Trail length: 1.7 miles (one way)
Estimated hiking time: 1 hour
Season of Use: year round (subject to weather conditions)
Elevation change: about 700 feet
Granite Basin Recreational Area
Connector Trail - TR 40
Clark Springs Trail
TRAILHEADS (TH)
Iron Springs Road Trailhead
Metate Trailhead - FR 374
ACCESS POINTS
Little Granite Mountain Trail - TR 37
Granite Mountain - TR 261
Trail use: moderate
Trail difficulty: moderate
Trail length: 1.7 miles (one way)
Estimated hiking time: 1 hour
Season of Use: year round (subject to weather conditions)
Elevation change: about 700 feet
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274 photos
More trail info:
USDA Forest Service • Maps & Info • Granite Mountain Wilderness
For closures or specific information: Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw Ranger District, (928) 771-4700
Things to be aware of: Share trail with bikes and horses, in windy weather watch for falling trees.
Regional area of Chimbly Water Trail : in the Granite Basin Recreational Area of the Prescott National Forest, near Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Yavapai County, Arizona.
My trail rating: 3.5
My Trail Review:
April 2007
This is a Forest connector trail. It connects Little Granite Mountain Trail - TR 37 to Granite Mountain - TR 261. You can use it to form one long "looper" of a day trip, parking your car either at the Iron Springs Road Trailhead (free parking) or the Metate Trailhead - FR 374 (fee parking), and ending up back where you started.
Warning: that "looper" is a long one. Bring plenty of extra water, rest in the shade now and then and give yourself plenty of time (6+ hours). Be sure you are in shape for the strenuous effort. You may be tired and sore when you get back to your car!
This trail system is exotic and well worth the hike. I prefer to park at the Iron Springs Road Trailhead and then hike up the Little Granite Mountain Trail to the gated entrance to Clark Spring Trail TR 40. The trail is well marked and maintained. Close all gates behind you.
You will go through a wood posted metal fence gate and then descend sharply down into the first part of the trail which follows the ravine down. Be extra careful with your footing in this section as it can be awkward and the trail mix is soft and floats around some under your boots. I love this trail. I seem to really enjoy the forest woodsy type with plenty of shade and views and this one has both.
It was cool when I got onto the trail today so I did see a few critters moving about, hawks, crows, squirrels and even a large lizard. You will see some good vista mountain top photos in the gallery that appeared as I descended the trail to the ravine bottom. At the bottom it climbs back up a bit and then flattens out some on higher ground. You will pass an interesting old natural stone out building along the way in this area. It's then up and over a hilly dry area with cactus and typical desert fauna then down a bit in elevation to connect with Granite Mountain Trail - TR 261.
Today I turned and went back to the car the way I came in. I have also hiked this section on a "looper" before adding it in to get me back to Little Granite Mountain Trail - TR 37 and then back down to the Iron Springs Road Trailhead.
I really do enjoy and appreciate the Granite Basin Recreational areas trail system. They all make good day hikes with some exotic and interesting views.
Enjoy the Hike!
Max
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MAP AND DIRECTION TIPS
From downtown Prescott take Montezuma North - it turns into Whipple and then into Iron Springs Road and continue on out of Prescott. Watch for and go past Forest Service FR 374 - (N. Granite Basin Road - it will be on your right and is the main access road to Granite Basin Recreational Area which goes up to the lake and camping areas). After passing FR 374 you will travel further west on Iron Springs Road until you see the Trail Head parking area immediately off the highway on your right (north) side of the highway.
MAP AND DIRECTION TIPS
From downtown Prescott take Montezuma North - it turns into Whipple and then into Iron Springs Road and continue on out of Prescott. Watch for and go past Forest Service FR 374 - (N. Granite Basin Road - it will be on your right and is the main access road to Granite Basin Recreational Area which goes up to the lake and camping areas). After passing FR 374 you will travel further west on Iron Springs Road until you see the Trail Head parking area immediately off the highway on your right (north) side of the highway.
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This RimSurfer Arizona hiking trail photo gallery review features the Prescott area Clark Springs Trail of the Granite Basin Recreational Area and in the Prescott National Forest of Arizona.
