AZ Granite Mtn Question.

Im up with my fiancé in Prescott for the weekend and want to do some climbing nearby. Our options are Granite Mtn and Thumb Butte. We'd like to do a shorter hike. Which place should we go? How long is the hike? 

Im interested in the New Wave Wall at the basin as I imagine that would be shorter.

any info would be greatly appreciated!

Hey,

Thumb Butte has way shorter hike by far, and just as great of climbing. Skip the new wave wall and either go all the way to the mountain or up to thumb...or both in a day!

Granite Mountain is a hike but pretty awesome climbing.

To all areas is it long? Or just to specific areas?

i was wondering if we could do basin routes?

anything with 30-60min hike.

?

Okay. I suppose we'll do the Thumb then. Ive seen igranite mtn has many 4 star routes in my climb range (10a-) which is why I had hoped there were some shorter hike areas to climb at.

Thumb Butte looks good too I suppose. 

Ill probably hit the Dog Leg area.

Any other info from anyone will help further my decision  but I'll stick with that for now.

Thanks

I think that Granite Mountain is probably one of the best (or perhaps) the best trad climbing destination in Arizona.  I think it is about a 60 minute walk (if you know where you are going).

Thumb Butte has some interesting climbing, ("Mecca" for example), but in my opinion, it does not come close to the quality of climbing at Granite Mountain.

Be aware that the ratings tend to be conservative.

I’ve never climbed at the thumb but the hike to GM is well worth it and it’s only an hour at most if you’re a decently fast hiker. Follow the approach beta and pick up one of Cramer’s fold out topos at the hiking store in the square for like $6 and you’ll be set.

ChaseLeoncini wrote:

Okay. I suppose we'll do the Thumb then. Ive seen igranite mtn has many 4 star routes in my climb range (10a-) which is why I had hoped there were some shorter hike areas to climb at.

Thumb Butte looks good too I suppose. 

Ill probably hit the Dog Leg area.

Any other info from anyone will help further my decision  but I'll stick with that for now.

Thanks

Just a word of precaution. Granite Mountain is notoriously sandbagged. There's a good chance that a 10 on Granite Mountain might feel more like a hard 11. That being said, the climbing there is phenomenal and well worth the hike. 

ChaseLeoncini wrote:

To all areas is it long? Or just to specific areas?

i was wondering if we could do basin routes?

anything with 30-60min hike.

?

Chase.. the hike to anywhere on Granite Mountains main wall is about 60 mins.

Also you could go to the Dells. Lots of climbing there with almost no or super mellow approaches. 

Running the Thumb today. We're staying with her parents so she wants to be back quickly. An hour in and out is too long. Next time though, Granite Mtn. Thanks all for your help.