CLARK SPRING
TRAIL #40
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| Clark Spring Trail |
Clark Spring is
bone dry. Like many water features in
drought-stricken Arizona, the ordinarily moist natural fountain that trickles
into a sandy drainage in Prescott’s Granite Mountain Recreation Area isn’t
flowing this year. Although lack of
winter snow and rain has caused the spring to regress into a barely discernable
trench, the riparian corridor it feeds along Clark Spring Trail #40 is alive
and well. Even without springtime
waterworks permeating the area with lacy rivulets and clear cascades, a hike
along this stunningly diverse trail makes for an afternoon of fun and
discovery.
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| Riparian corridor on Clark Spring Trail |
The scoured, mile-long gully near the spring that hosts a
community of willows and cottonwoods is just one part of a multi-faceted trip
through jumbled terrain just a few miles north of downtown Prescott. Finding the trail is a little tricky.
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| Wild candytuft blooms February through August |
Begin on Granite Mountain Trail #216 at the
Metate Trailhead. Hike 0.25-mile (veer right at an unsigned junction to stay on
#216) to the Balancing Rock Trail #349, turn left and continue to the turnoff
for Clark Spring Trail #40 and follow the road roughly 20 yards to the trail
proper. Here, the route begins a
700-foot ascent, moving out of shady Ponderosa pine forests and onto a sunny
ridge cluttered with manzanita, cacti and agave. A smattering of pinion pines
and live oaks frame views of Granite Mountain, Flagstaff’s San Francisco Peaks
and the golden flatlands of Williamson Valley.
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| A Half Dome-like cliff (right) on Clark Spring Trail |
Except for a sheer cliff face that mimics Yosemite National Park’s Half
Dome formation, Granite Mountain looks like it fell off the back of a galaxy-class
dump truck. Haphazard mounds of rubble, craggy shelfs and balancing spires belie
the handiwork of eons of wind and water erosion. Look carefully and you’ll see the
sooty scar of the 2013 Doce Fire struggling to heal on the far slopes. Above the distressed granite piles, ospreys
and turkey vultures ride the current above nearby Granite Basin Lake. The
steep, rocky segment tops out on a flat where a gateway of spent agave stalks
mark the beginning of the descent to the spring area. This beautiful section wanders under oak-pine
canopies that throw refreshing shadows on the dry but still lush riparian
corridor below.
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| Squirrels in trees |
The cooler, usually moister environment is a wildlife magnet
and you’re almost guaranteed to spot foraging squirrels, scrub jays and
woodpeckers drilling into dead trees for insects. The greenway stroll ends where
the trail heads back uphill on long, canyon-hugging switchbacks.
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| View of Williamson Valley in distance |
Massive
boulders, enormous Alligator junipers and the best views of the hike are the
key features of the final half-mile that ends at a high pass between Little
Granite Mountain and Two Rock Mountain.
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| Agaves and Granite Mountain |
For an out-and-back hike, the junction with Little Granite Mountain
Trail #37 is the turnaround point. But if you want more miles, take the loop
option.
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| Drainage area on Granite Mountain Trail |
A word of caution though, the
last two legs of the loop are more exposed and pass through fire-damaged
terrain. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection if you choose this
option. To do the loop, hike 2.8 miles north (go right) on Trail #37 to Blair
Pass.
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| Acorn woodpecker in flight |
Veer right on to Trail #261and enjoy the final 1.6-mile trek thorough high desert wilderness back to the trailhead.
LENGTH: 4.4
miles out and back OR 6.6-mile loop
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 5620
– 6400 feet
GETTING THERE:
From downtown
Prescott, go north on Montezuma Street (which turns into Whipple Street and
then Iron Springs Road) and continue 4.5 miles to N. Granite Basin Road.
Turn right and
go 3.7 miles to the Metate Trailhead. Roads are paved and there are restrooms
at the trailhead.
FEE: $5 daily
fee per vehicle. Bring exact change for the self-pay kiosk.
INFO & MAP:
Prescott National Forest
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