Hiking

The McDowell Mountains snarl with granite teeth. Flashing such an array of boulders means intriguing formations are found throughout the Preserve. The precarious monolith of Balanced Rock may be the most inspirational. After so many years exposed to the elements, Balanced Rock shouldn’t still be upright. The same goes for me yet we’re both still hanging in there. Resembling a giant troll molar, the big formation is often included as a side trip on longer hikes. But this rock star deserves to be a destination, not just a detour. From Granite Mountain Trailhead, create a scenic 4.4-mile out-and-back route along the southern edge of Granite Mountain by using pieces of Bootlegger, Saddlehorn, Granite Mountain Loop, and Balanced Rock trails.