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GRANITE GARDENS
Prescott Mile-High Trail System
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| Granite Creek |
If this new system of four trails were a dog, it would be a
Jack Russell Terrier---compact, feisty and righteously entertaining. So, before
taking a pass on it due to its short length, consider its attributes. The bite hike begins on the Stairway Loop with an ascent up 38 steps constructed in 2013 that
lands hikers on an overlook above Granite Creek. At the top of the stairs, views of Prescott's Granite Dells
area are breathtaking. Here, an overview of what lays ahead nips at your heels.
Next up: an exposed meander over slick rock guided by white dots painted on
slabs of granite that resemble splayed reptile hide. The route winds up around
Castle Rock then descends to meet the Rock Stacker and Grotto Trails. Both aptly
named, these two paths combine for a terrier-grade, energetic swoop through a
wilderness of stone with steep climbs, narrow passages and a rib-tickling
squeeze through the claustrophobic darkness of the "grotto". Like a speeding carnival ride, this trek
is over too quickly, but will have you yelling, "let's do it again".
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| View of Stairway Loop from Rock Stacker Trail. Note the hikers, left center. |
LENGTH: 1.15 miles total
RATING: moderate-difficult
ELEVATION: 5050' - 5150'
GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, travel north on I17 to the SR69 interchange at
Cordes Junction. Go 30 miles west
on SR69 to Prescott Lakes Parkway, turn right and continue 2.1 miles to SR89.
Turn right and follow SR89 2.2 miles to Granite Garden Drive (unsigned) located
directly across from Granite Gate Senior Living Community between mileposts 317
and 318. Turn right onto this rough dirt road and go 0.2 mile to the trailhead
on the right just before the creek. Those with low clearance vehicles may park
in the turnoffs before the road gets too rough.
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| Entering the Grotto |
INFO: City of Prescott
MORE PHOTOS:
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