PRESCOTT: LITTLE GRANITE MTN-GIANT ALLIGATOR & FAIR – HARD – 8.9m -1560'

PRESCOTT: LITTLE GRANITE MTN-GIANT ALLIGATOR LOOP & YAVAPAI COUNTY FAIR – HARD – 8.9 MILES, 1560’ GAIN

Date & Time: September 6, 2025 (Saturday) @ 8:00 a.m.

Location: Metate Trailhead (Granite Basin Recreation Area, Prescott, AZ); https://goo.gl/maps/6sddchMwFyTm5htG6

Hike Details: Sure, the Valley of the Sun is below triple digits. But that’s not Autumn. Prescott is Autumn. Revisit Granite Mountain and a Loop around Little Granite.

We’ll meet up at the Metate Trailhead and head up the Clark Springs Trail #40) up through the forest for a couple of miles. Then, around Little Granite Mountain on Little Granite Mountain Trail (#37) about 2 miles to Upper Pasture Trail (#38) and about 1.5 miles from there to the Giant Alligator Juniper https://prestonm.com/granite-mountain-hotshots-juniper/ (a memorial to the Granite Mountain Hotshot 19 who saved it on the Doce Fire before the Yarnell Hill fire). Then on to the White Rock Spring Trail (#39) for about 1.5 miles to Blair Pass. Then, about 1.5 miles down Granite Mountain Trail (#261) to Metate.

Here’s a link to an Alltrails Map for the GPS and Elevation Gain info: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/little-granite-giant-alligator-juniper-08b255a?u=i&sh=yp9mav.

The Upper Pasture and White Rock Spring Trails are not well marked or maintained, but not anything too difficult to find a way.

Thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon, so we should aim to be off the mountain early afternoon at the latest. Weather may cause re-scheduling of this hike.

There have been more black bear sightings in the Prescott area this year. Mountain lions are known in this region as well.

Yavapai County Fair: It’s the Fair this weekend in Prescott. It’s not too far from the Metate Trailhead. I might head over there: Yavapai Fair Foundation - County Fair, Fair, Fair, Fair.

Traveler Details: I would suggest that those coming up from Phoenix try to carpool. It’s about 1.5 hours from the Carefree McDonald’s (https://goo.gl/maps/MWBTRvCAKphcAN7n7) to the Metate Trailhead. If coming up from Phoenix, you likely will take I-17 to the 69 to Fain Road/89A/Pioneer Parkway to Williamson Valley Road to Iron Springs Road. (That is, you likely will not go through Prescott on your journey.) There is a convenience store at the turn-off from 69 to Fain Road; there is another convenience store as you pass Prescott Valley at Viewpoint Drive. There are not convenient services after that. However, there are restrooms, and generally a water faucet, at Metate (subject, as always to forest service closure). There is no guarantee that water will be available on the hike.

You will need to have sufficient water and nutrition with you. Many hikers find hiking poles useful, especially on the Little Granite Mountain Trail.

Tourist Tidbits: Granite Basin Lake featured in the cult classic “Billy Jack” film. As you travel from Williamson Valley Road to the trailhead, you’ll pass one of Prescott’s Summer Camp neighborhoods; Prescott’s summer camps were featured in the coming-of-age film “Bless the Beasts and the Children”. Also, along that stretch (about half to three-quarters of a mile after turning onto Iron Springs Road) look to your left for what must be the largest personal collection of giant, metal-sculpted dinosaurs in the Free World.

Understandings: None of the Organizers or Hosts are professional guides and none are being paid. They will not be held responsible for you. Each person who signs up for and/or participates in this event is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests. Furthermore, hiking in Arizona has the obvious risks including, but not limited to: dehydration; over exposure to sun; poisonous snakes & reptiles; rabid animals; broken bones; stampeding livestock; stampeding electric bicycles; etc. You are assuming the risk of participating in the great outdoors. You agree not to hold the trip Planners, Leaders, Hosts, and/or Organizers responsible if you get injured. By attending you agree with these shared understandings.