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Arizona Hiking Trails
Arizona Hiking Trails
North Mingus Mountain Trails | Prescott National Forest
North Mingus Mountain Trails | Prescott National Forest
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North Mingus Mountain Trail TR 549 | Mingus Mountain Recreational Area | Prescott National Forest
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PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST
North Mingus Mountain Trail TR 549
TRAILHEADS (TH)
TR 548 Trail Head (recommended)
TR 547 Trail Head
TR 550 Trail Head
ACCESS POINTS
· TR 548 Intersection
Trail use: very light
Trail difficulty: moderate
Trail length: about 2.5 miles one way (remember to add distance and time for which ever trail you decide to use to get to TR549)
Estimated hiking time: 3+ hours
Season of Use: year round (subject to weather conditions)
Elevation change: est. 1000+ '
More trail info:
• USDA Forest Service
• Maps & Info
For closures or specific information: Prescott National Forest (928) 443-8000 - Chino Valley Ranger District
Things to be aware of: · see review
Regional area of North Mingus Mountain Trail TR 549: in the Mingus Mountain Recreational Area of the Prescott National Forest, near Jerome, Cottonwood, Yavapai County, Arizona.
North Mingus Mountain Trail TR 549
TRAILHEADS (TH)
TR 548 Trail Head (recommended)
TR 547 Trail Head
TR 550 Trail Head
ACCESS POINTS
· TR 548 Intersection
Trail use: very light
Trail difficulty: moderate
Trail length: about 2.5 miles one way (remember to add distance and time for which ever trail you decide to use to get to TR549)
Estimated hiking time: 3+ hours
Season of Use: year round (subject to weather conditions)
Elevation change: est. 1000+ '
More trail info:
• USDA Forest Service
• Maps & Info
For closures or specific information: Prescott National Forest (928) 443-8000 - Chino Valley Ranger District
Things to be aware of: · see review
Regional area of North Mingus Mountain Trail TR 549: in the Mingus Mountain Recreational Area of the Prescott National Forest, near Jerome, Cottonwood, Yavapai County, Arizona.
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My trail rating: 3.5
My Trail Review:
TR 549 is only accessible from TR 548 at about the half way point from either direction you start at. If it is your first time up in this area of Mingus Mountain I recommend starting at the TR 548 Trailhead on 89A. Also see the Forest Service Web Sites pdf map for other options and trails.
The intersection of TR 549 on TR 548 was not marked however it was the only obvious southwest trail I saw and was in the most logical spot so it is not hard to fiqure out and find if you review and pay attention to the forest service map above. If you are coming in from the TR 548 Trailhead it will be on your right turning away from Hwy 89A where you came from and which you would be seeing below you on your left. If you miss the turn off or are not sure and continue on a little further on TR 548 you will come to a grassy clearing with a beautiful Juniper shade tree and a stone fire pit near where others have camped there. Just turn around go back a couple hundred feet and that will be TR 549 on your left now. Teddy and I sat under the tree, watered down and trail snacked before we went up the TR 549.
The trail is a gradual climb to near the top of the peak. It winds around the north and east sides of the mountain. There are some awesome views of the area along the way including the red rock layered walls of the Verde Valley and even on up to the San Francisco Peaks above Flagstaff. This alone makes the trek up to the trail well worth it. Most of the trail is well shaded with plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the vista views. There was a slight wind blowing through the pines today which added a classic pine forest mood and feel to the adventure.
You will be climbing up into the Pondersosa Pine Forest on a trail that looks like it was built as an old mining road. It is wide in most places along the way but looks like it seldom gets used much. The farther up you go the more growth, rocks and fallen trees cover the trail. At the very end you will find a 6" pipe in the ground with a cap on it in the middle of a grown over clearing - I believe that is where the map is saying the end of the trail is. However, if you push through the over growth 50 feet of so you find a foot path for a trail again and it went up around the other side of the mountain but looked rarely traveled.
I wouldn't recommend this for kids or folks that are new or not in shape. It's a longer hike because you have to use another trail to get to it, it climbs steady upward and it is more remote. We saw no critters or humans on the trail today and it was a weekender. Did see lots of older scat in the more remote higher elevations. Had a great time, good memories of the views and the weather was awesome too. Real glad I took the time to find and hike it.
Enjoy the Hike!
Max and Teddy
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MAP AND DIRECTION TIPS
If coming from Jerome you go about 7 miles south on 89A to about 1/2 a mile north of the FSR 104 turnoff - so if you get to the FSR 104 just turn around and go back north till you see a little pull off parking area on the east side of the highway that is fenced in. There were no signs on the highway identifying the trailhead. Look for the trailhead entrance to TR550 on the south side of the parking area.
If you are coming from Prescott area take 89A north towards Jerome. When you pass the FSR 104 turnoff and parking area -continue on about 1/2 a mile till you see a little pull off parking area on the east side of the highway that is fenced in. There were no signs on the highway identifying the trailhead. Look for the trailhead entrance to TR550 on the south side of the parking area.
MAP AND DIRECTION TIPS
If coming from Jerome you go about 7 miles south on 89A to about 1/2 a mile north of the FSR 104 turnoff - so if you get to the FSR 104 just turn around and go back north till you see a little pull off parking area on the east side of the highway that is fenced in. There were no signs on the highway identifying the trailhead. Look for the trailhead entrance to TR550 on the south side of the parking area.
If you are coming from Prescott area take 89A north towards Jerome. When you pass the FSR 104 turnoff and parking area -continue on about 1/2 a mile till you see a little pull off parking area on the east side of the highway that is fenced in. There were no signs on the highway identifying the trailhead. Look for the trailhead entrance to TR550 on the south side of the parking area.
This RimSurfer Arizona hiking trail photo gallery review features the North Mingus Mountain Trail TR 549 in the Mingus Mountain Recreational Area of the Prescott National Forest of Arizona.
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