MINT WASH-WEST LAKE LOOP
Granite Basin Recreation Area, Prescott
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| View of Granite Basin Lake from Mint Wash Trail |
As a perennial bucket-lister, Granite
Mountain Trail #261 lives up to its hype with a strenuous 1,400-foot
ascent on a hulking mound of billion year old rock. It's one of
Prescott's most glorious hikes, serving up a wilderness summit
experience with a substantial side of sweat. Once you've got that
one out of your system, there's plenty more to explore around the
base of the mountain. In the shadow of the massif's intimidating
brow, a maze of looping paths in Granite Basin Recreation Area offer
more than 33 miles of easy and moderate rated hike alternatives. The
site is cradled in a craggy, forested pocket lodged between a
wilderness area and suburbia. Built out with creature comforts like
restrooms, picnic tables and a tiny lake, the area's trail complex is
family-friendly, well-signed and designed for either short strolls or
day-long treks. Whichever trail or trails you select, you'll be
walking through a bizarre landscape of volcanic rock outcroppings
weathered smooth by eons of exposure. Water trickling though
drainages nourishes a mash up of wild mint and cacti huddled beneath
tall Ponderosa pines. Like sister trail #261, there are plenty of
spots where views of the sprawling flatlands of Williamson Valley and
the cloud-brushing peaks of Flagstaff are framed by tunnels
of arching oak.
A detailed map available for
download on the forest service web site shows how the trails connect.
Here's one circuit that includes a swing by Granite Basin Lake, lots
of shade and a high saddle vista point. From the Cayuse Trailhead
begin on West Lake Trail #351 and hike 1.2 miles then veer right onto
Mint Wash Trail #345. This junction is located just before a road
crossing and is signed but easy to miss. Hike 0.7 mile on #345 and
turn left on Mint Wash Connector Trail #352. Continue 1.1 miles to
the Chimbley Water Trail #348, turn left and hike 0.5 mile to Willow
Trail #347, turn right and follow it 0.8 mile back to the trailhead.
LENGTH: 4.3-mile loop
RATING: easy
ELEVATION: 5,400' – 5,770'
HOURS: day-use gate hours vary by
season but are roughly sunrise to sunset daily
FACILITIES: restroom, picnic
tables.
Cayuse Trailhead:
From downtown Prescott, go north on
Montezuma St. (turns into Whipple St.) to Iron Springs Road.
Go 3 miles on Iron Springs to Granite
Basin Road (Forest Road 374), turn right and continue 2.4 miles to
the Cayuse Equestrian Trailhead on the right. Parking is 0.1 mile up
the road.
FEE: $5 daily per vehicle (free on
Wednesdays). Bring exact change for the self-serve pay station.
INFO & MAPS: Bradshaw Ranger
District, Prescott National Forest, 928-443-8000
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