hiking trails, Mint Wash Connector Trail, Prescott National Forest, Granite Basin Recreational Area, Arizona

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Mint Wash Connector Trail

PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST
Granite Basin
Recreational Area
Mint Wash Connector Trail
- TR 352
TRAILHEADS (TH)
Metate Trailhead - FR 374
ACCESS POINTS
· Chimbly Water Trail - TR 348
· Mint Wash - Trail 345
Trail use:
moderate
Trail difficulty:
moderate
Trail length:
1.2 miles (one way)
Estimated hiking time:
1+ hours
Season of Use:
year round
(subject to weather conditions)
Elevation change:
n/a

Things to be aware of:
· share trail with bikes
· share trail with horses
· in windy weather watch for falling trees
· fee parking

158 photos

• Directions and trail hike review

• Hiking tips and guidelines

• What to bring on a day hike

• Some alternative hike suggestions

• Hiking safety tips

• Hiking Disclaimer & Site Use Terms

My trail hike review --- My trail rating: 2.5

Regional area of Mint Wash Connector Trail : in the Granite Basin Recreational Area of the Prescott National Forest, near Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Yavapai County, Arizona.

DIRECTIONS
From downtown Prescott take Montezuma North - it turns into Whipple and then into Iron Springs Road. Turn right onto Forest Road 374 into the Granite Basin Recreational Area. Just before the Granite Basin Lake parking area you will see a fee parking area on your right. Trail maps are normally by fee box.

April 2007
I came into this trail from Mint Wash TR 345 after hiking through the Granite Basin Lake area. I crossed the creek and up and into the trail as it climbs up the ridge. Good views, diverse landscape and well maintained trail.

Silver and I stopped to take a break under an old juniper that was still alive but fighting for it's life. A lichen type growth had taken over the bark areas of the lower limbs, the inner trunk was exposed and the bark was pealing off in large sections. the wood peckers had put many holes in this area and the ants were crawling in and out of every where there was a hole or opening.

Yet the top of the old juniper was still green and I sat under and enjoyed it's shade from the hot noon sun. As I ate my apple and Silver watered down I realized I was observing a powerful mini picture of the continuous forces of life. This tree was fighting for it's life. Several other living organisms were all trying to live off its resources - yet if or when it dies so do they.

I bit off a chunk of my protein bar for Silver but he decided that was not real food and would not touch it. I placed it by the dead bark and a few of the ants then in less than 3 minutes it was covered with ants and looked liked something out of a sci-fi movie as they lined up in organized columns, tearing off chunks of protein in a center row and carrying them away. No fighting, no frenzy, just methodical organized and determined work. By the time I got up to go in 5 or 10 minutes they had stripped the center section down considerably. I left with a new appreciation of those old westerns where the "dude" got tied to an ant hill . . . nope - not a good thing.

You can use this connector trail to shorten the hike and turn it into a loop hike. Rather than go all the way north on the Mint Wash TR 345, which is about a 9 mile out and back or similiar loop. Take TR 345 to TR 352 to TR 348 to TR 351 which brings you back to the Metate Trail Head and parking area.

Enjoy the Hike!
Max West and Silver

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MORE TRAIL INFO

USDA Trail details: • Map & Info -- USDA Forest Service
For closures or specific information:
Prescott National Forest Bradshaw Ranger District (928)-771-4700

This RimSurfer hiking trail photo gallery review features the Prescott area Mint Wash Connector Trail in the Granite Basin Recreational Area, Prescott National Forest of Arizona.