 |
RimSurfer
It's Fun to Surf the Rim
It's Fun to Surf the Rim
Arizona Hiking Trails Photo Gallery
Adventure Resource
Adventure Resource
Clark Springs Trail
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
Things to be aware of:
· share trail with bikes
· share trail with horses
· in windy weather watch for falling trees
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
Things to be aware of:
· share trail with bikes
· share trail with horses
· in windy weather watch for falling trees
274 photos
• Directions and trail hike review
• Hiking tips and guidelines
• What to bring on a day hike
• Some alternative hike suggestions
• Hiking safety tips
• Hiking Disclaimer & Site Use Terms
• Hiking tips and guidelines
• What to bring on a day hike
• Some alternative hike suggestions
• Hiking safety tips
• Hiking Disclaimer & Site Use Terms
Regional area of Clark Springs Trail: is in the Granite Basin Recreational Area of the Prescott National Forest, near Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Yavapai County, Arizona.
DIRECTIONS
From downtown Prescott take Montezuma North - it turns into Whipple and then into Iron Springs Road. Go past the Forest Service FR 374 access road to Granite Basin Recreational Area (goes to the lake and camping areas) and travel about a mile further west on Iron Springs Road. You will see the Trail Head parking area immediately off the highway on your right.
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 West
USDA Trail details: • Map & Info -- USDA Forest Service
For closures or specific information:
Prescott National Forest Bradshaw Ranger District (928)-771-4700
This RimSurfer hiking trail photo gallery review features the Prescott area Clark Springs Trail in the Granite Basin Recreational Area, Prescott National Forest of Arizona.