The Almosta trail system wanders through creek beds and mesas offering great views of Granite and Little Granite mountain along with interesting geology. The large parking lot and well marked trail begins on Almosta Ranch Road about 0.7 miles west of Williamson Valley Rd on the left hand side. The first 15-20 minutes of the hike is near housing but ample vegetation makes the trail feel private. After the initial housing area, the trail starts down a rocky canyon and into a wash area with intermittent running water alongside granite and layered sandstone outcrops. This canyon area is the only real steep portion. You can hike almost as long as you like on the main trail #622 which heads southwest, but a nice ~ 7.5 miles lollipop loop is to take a right on trail #625 shortly after crossing Mint Creek wash, a gate and corral. Hike about a mile west/southwest to the junction with 627 and lake a left. 627 has great views of Granite mountain and is a fairly flat section with some nice open grass land areas. 627 meets up again with 622 in about a mile, turn left on 622 and head back to the parking lot. From this section of trail 622 you will have views north and west, so the complete loop affects views in all directions. This trail would be great with spring flowers, after a rain (being careful about flash floods), or with fall color. We only saw one other hiker on our trip. read more