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Granite Mountain approach trail

Original Post
Miguel D · · SLC · Joined May 2014 · Points: 544

Fellow GM climbers,

At some point or another, I think most of us have lost the climbers trail up to GM and end up bushwacking a little (or a lot for some) to try and find our way back to it. The trail in its current conditions is decent but somewhat overgrown. It may be just me, but even after many approaches to the mountain I still lose the trail sometimes.

So, I've heard of some people putting up cairns and some people purposefully knocking them down. I've heard about potential efforts to improve the trail, this way all climbers take the same trail and minimize impact elsewhere on the approach. I've heard the argument saying that by keeping the trail vague and somewhat hard to find, we keep the mountain "exclusive" and keep away those who don't know what they're doing.

Personally, I would like to go out there and improve the trail and maybe (but not necessarily) put up cairns. But I wanted to get people's opinions on this first. Should there be a better defined trail? Is it ok as it is? Should it remain hard to find? Would the community benefit from a better trail?

Manny Rangel · · PAYSON · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 4,788

Unfortunately, it is wilderness. Officially there is no sanctioned trail other than the main trail. The rangers have been fairly unhelpful if not outright detrimental to climbing access.

Have you contacted the FB groups Prescott Climbers Coalition and Prescott Climbing Scene? It might get a ball rolling.

Rusty Finkelstein · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 0

Personally I am very much opposed to cutting in more of a trail up there, but I live here and find the trail adequate. If we should do anything, maybe it's just adding a few cairns. Honestly I can't decide how I feel for a couple reasons.

1. - Although navigating the trail might make a party late to the route, it's usually the cliff itself that thwarts the average gumby party. That being said, it's not like making a more defined trail would magically tame the mountain, although it might make it feel a little less remote up at the front porch.

2. Like you mentioned, making the trail more defined would cut down on people trampling everywhere when they're lost. I used to want people to get as lost as I did on my first time up there; now I want it to stay wild, for everyone.

Granite Mountain is certainly a unique place. Hopefully others may have dealt with similar "access" issues, and can offer some suggestions here. It's wild up there, and that's part of what makes the place world-class. How can we keep that part alive while making an effort to preserve the climbers trail?

...Just imagine - It's cool now to leave all your stuff sitting out at the front porch unattended while you climb. If there was a good trail up there, you'd get the tourons up at the front porch. Not good.

Scott M. McNamara · · Presidio San Augustine Del… · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 55

36 CFR 261.10 prohibits:
Constructing, placing, or maintaining any kind of road, trail, structure, fence, enclosure, communications equipment, or other improvement on National Forest system land or facilities without a special-use authorization, contract, or approved operating plan.

Your desire to improve/construct a trail may be admirable, however, you might want to be aware, that to do so, is a violation of law.

Moreover, some Arizona forests do not take trail building sitting down.

For example, in 2013 two (2) mountain bikers and a hiker built or improved trails in the Coconino National Forest in Sedona.

At least one (1) was fined five hundred dollars ($500.00) and made to pay to restore the area.

It appears he was lucky and did not get banned from the forest.

As a result of the trail building, the Coconino National Forest considered banning cross country mountain biking.

The Coconino was also pointing to mountain bike Internet web sites that describe bootleg trails.

I fear there may be a lesson here for us.

Scott Mc

arjunmh · · Phoenix & Prescott, AZ · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 4,785

Endless examples of climbing areas that are even more "world class" than our own GM provide testament to the fact that remote trad climbing will not get trashed by "tourons" or the sport climbing scene. Tahquitz is a great example. JT's "Queen Mtn" or "Wonderland of Rocks" are others. Yosemite. Sierra east side. Many of these areas are much easier approaches than GM and are far from being trashed. Actually, I generally climb in such places free from any other voices, which is part of the delight of GM. An hour and a quarter plus rugged approach to stellar trad climbing that is sandbagged for most folks is enough to keep the hordes at bay and a decent trail won't change that.

The more relevant issue is the fact that NOT having an established climbing trail results in a braided mess of trails that are only conducive to erosion and confusion for even the most adept climber. It's truly silly that this incredible climbing area doesn't have a better approach trail. The "Wilderness Area" card doesn't play well. JT and other classic areas are also "Wilderness" and have fantastically maintained approach trails complete with climbing area signs. These are designed for the express purpose of mitigating the damage done by climbers going hither and non in search of the most efficient way to the crag. Designated trails work very well and will not lead to crowds.

Best way forward is to support the newly regrown Prescott Climber's Coalition to focus on a united voice forward with negotiating how to balance the wilderness ethic with the reality of climbers seeking a clear and safe path to their crag that isn't resulting in damage to the landscape.

Jefe Bret Harte · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 35

"It's truly silly that this incredible climbing area doesn't have a better approach trail."

The approach has always been part of the package, and has worked for climbers since the 70's.

I haven't been up there since the fire but braiding and erosion were never an issue.
I would imagine that the numerous sections that involved boulder hopping now have clear ways around after being burned. Those were the only spots that would stump a first timer anyway.

Can anyone who was intimately familiar with the approach pre-fire comment on route changes?

Granite Mtn is what it is, I say don't mess with it.
And leave THE HEART OF THE MOUNTAIN on the Mountain.

Rusty Finkelstein · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 0

Yes, I know the trail very well. It's the exact same, and it's in fine shape. Actually, it's slightly easier now because you can scramble up a slabby section near the top, from a lower point, rather than going around to avoid thick brush like before.

Until GM starts getting more regular traffic (unlikely), perhaps this is just a non-issue.

Greg Opland · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2001 · Points: 181

Jefe, the trail over to the Front Porch is pretty much intact post fire. It has overgrown a bit, but that's typical and will wear down some now that t he season is on. Have never had any issues staying on it and have never bushwhacked on approach, even when I did it the first time. Not that many bushes left in any case...dammit...

The trail up to the Swamp Slabs is another matter. The SS took it in the shorts from the fire and there wasn't much left when the smoke cleared. Since then, the approach has turned into a dirty braided mess with no end in sight. Marking a "trail" up to the Swamp Slabs temporarily, to achieve an actual single trail seems to me to be the best thing that could happen to limit climber impact up there and help the plants and such start to recover from the fire damage. I'd be willing to help, but the Prescott CC should probably take the lead.

Jefe Bret Harte · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 35

Thanks Rusty and Greg.

Arjun- I'm not trying to pick on you but I keep going back to your post.
The only hard-to-read sections of the approach were where you have to go up and over and across and down some big boulder fields. How can that be "improved"? We can't change the topography of the mountain.
As far as comparisons to other areas, almost moot. I know, at least I hope, you're not advocating for signs. Those signs are in high use areas where braiding is actually an issue (Josh).
And lastly- a "clear and safe path"....??? Really? This is Granite Mtn we're talking about. It isn't, and never has been, about convenience. We've always had to "earn it" out there.

I don't think trying to involve the FS or even organizing through the PCC is a good idea. No offense to the PCC.

My thought- if you climb there regularly, take a few minutes on the way up or down to block off a spur with a branch or yucca stalk. That's about all that's really needed or called for. Cairns will get knocked down.
The Swamp Slabs approach sounds like a different story, but once again, a little love and sweat from locals each time you climb will help. Move a few rocks, block the bogus way. It'll grow over soon enough and hide any "improvements".

The approach has always been part of the gig up there and was never an issue. Do it once, lock it in. It always seemed "clear and safe" enough to do in sandals. Coming down in the dark? Follow someone's dog. My chihuahua is for hire. :-)

Miguel D · · SLC · Joined May 2014 · Points: 544

Thanks everyone for the input.

I personally don't think that improving the trail would increase traffic, and yes, it's nice to not have to worry about theft at the front porch. But I doubt that a slightly better path higher up would draw any more people up to the cliffs than those that are already going up there anyway

Jefe, agreed. That's more along the lines of what I was thinking, far from "maintaining" a trail up there, it's more like a little hint to the path of least resistance for the next person

Though it is good point about keeping the mountain wild, and part of the package required to climb there, after all, no matter what the approach is like, we keep going back so we definitely deem the mountain worth it. I can understand that as a good reason for leaving things as they are. So despite that I would still like to see a clearer path up to the cliffs, given the information and opinions provided, I won't be taking any actions that would be considered illegal or detrimental/unethical up there. I guess for now I'll just have to get better at remembering the way up (and down)

arjunmh · · Phoenix & Prescott, AZ · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 4,785

Jefe,

I agree with you and Greg completely and I personally don't have any trouble with the approach. I LOVE the ruggedness, the wilderness feel, and the sense of earning the climbs up there. Absolutely and completely and given that route finding and navigating such landscape is an inherent part of my income earning job, I have no personal issues or complaints about the to and fro from that amazing mountain. In fact, the appeal is greater for me because of the the whole package.

The "silly" phrase came from the fact that the cliff is such an amazing, amazing climbing destination that I can't help wonder why more people don't enjoy the challenge (I know that this is a "duh" statement for folks climbing there for a while, but my renewed attention to the mountain is thanks to making Prescott a second home -- in the past the timing has never worked with the falcon closure and the "in season" for other places I climb). Seemed to me that most world class climbing areas have good approach trails. But, you're right about not needing to compare and the history of G.M. being important. It is to me, for sure.

My initial post was in response to my first trip up this season, which was right after it opened up July 15th. On that trip there had been very little other traffic and the underbrush had grown in incredibly. I went and did Coatamundi-Candyland, I think, and it felt like I had to swim through the brush -- Swamp Slabs looked completely unattainable and the braiding that had been awful last year seemed worse. Subsequent trips to the main face on the following weeks saw the trail emerge in good shape, just as Greg predicted, and I chatted with him a bit in Phoenix to get a sense of how the cycle sets up there. It'll only improve with more use. Makes good sense and the notion of placing yucca stalks or the like across the trail segments that aren't good is a good idea. Haven't been over to Swamp Slabs this year.

Jefe Bret Harte · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 35

Cool, Arjun. Good post.
Thanks for not taking offense, and sorry if my tone was a bit prickly.
There are many who are fiercely protective of The Mtn...so maybe you can understand me getting a little whipped up at the mention of signs, and "safe", and "silly".

I remember the first time I went to Tahquitz to do a mega classic and found massive Eye Bolts at the belay. I wished I had those at my home crag. And then I realized, that's what made The Mtn The Mtn, and was happy and proud it was the way it was.

I guess I feel the same way about the approach.

All the best to you and everyone that loves and respects The Mtn.

Greg Opland · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2001 · Points: 181

The obvious answer to this issue is obvious!!!

We need to converge on the Mountain and observe these things from a couple pitches up, where we can properly come to a solution!!! :-) :-)

I still haven't fired my opening salvo of the 2015 season...

Rusty Finkelstein · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 0

Good plan!

I was out there earlier today. Still haven't made it to the swamp slabs so no comment on that part of the trail...
Apparently somebody took a digger hiking up high on the mountain and fell FACE first into an agave! Gnarly! Possible punctured lung, definite punctured face/throat.

Do you live in Prescott, Greg?

Greg Opland · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2001 · Points: 181

Nope, I'm a Phx guy. But I'm a GM aficionado going on three decades now.

Pneumothorax... that is gnarly.

Closest I ever got to that was punching an agave into the soft area just below my kneecap once. Just punched in and out, leaving a hole and a LOT of pain.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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