North Mingus Mountain Trail TR 548 | Prescott National Forest | Rimsurfer Arizona Hiking Trails

Arizona Hiking Trails

North Mingus Mountain Trails | Prescott National Forest

North Mingus Mountain Trail TR 548 | Prescott National Forest

Map and Directions

Rimsurfer Trail Rating and Hike Review

PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST
North Mingus Mountain Trail TR 548
TRAILHEADS (TH)
548 Trail Head Parking Area
550 Trail Head Parking Area (you can park here and take TR 550 to TR 548)
ACCESS POINTS
· 548 Trail Head Parking Area
· North Mingus Mountain Trail TR 550 connection point
· North Mingus Mountain Trail TR 547 connection point
· FSR 338 (*see note below)
Trail use: very light
Trail difficulty: easy to moderate
Trail length: about 3.5 miles one way
Estimated hiking time: 4+ hours
Season of Use: year round (subject to weather conditions)
Elevation change: n/a

495 photos

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: ·This trail is sandwiched between TR 547 and TR 550 and can be used as part of a loop section see the Forest Service Web Sites pdf map. Note: the FS map above shows TR 548 goes down the hill to FSR 338 on the north end finish, however I could not find that spur off at all from the top on the trail. I came back a few days later to hike TR 549 and decided to go find it on the bottom off FSR 338 and take that side of TR 548 up to the TR 549 interconnect and I am really glad I did as it was a scenic fun spur to hike. I found a unmarked FS jeep trail in about the same spot as the map shows TR 548 ending. I followed it up the mountain moving to the left and around the peak to a meadow where folks had camped and left fire pits (see photo gallery). From here I had to criss cross towards the south east till I picked up a barely discernable foot trail that got better and more defined as I went up towards the peak and the place the trail should be. Sure enough it poped out of the Pinon Pines right at the TR 548 but there was no marking there at all and no way from the top to tell that was the way down. (Note: TR 548 continues west from there to a dead end marked by an orange metal pole. If you get that far come back to the bend to the south around the peak - look for the best view of the Verde Valley cliffs and scout for the down spur trail there).

Regional area of North Mingus Mountain Trail TR 548: in the Prescott National Forest, near Jerome, Cottonwood, Yavapai County, Arizona.

My trail rating: 3

My Trail Review:
August 2009
This trail looked to me like an old forest service or mining jeep trail. Other than the FS brown trail sign at the intersection of the TR 550 and TR 547 I found no other signed trail markings along the way. It is mostly wide and very easy to follow until you get into the high meadow areas where at the north end where you turn east to wrap around the last peak (you will also see a stone fire pit by a large Juniper shade tree there) look to your right and follow the little foot path through the grass to the north east.

There were lots of fallen trees over the trail today that made it a little more adventurous to scramble over or around them. Teddy seemed to take some real interest and pride in finding just the right place and way to climb over them as he had never seen anything quite like that before and was having some fun with it.

I saw no one on the trail and no human foot prints along the way. Most of the trail was easy to follow but rather "wild and forgotten". I did see a deer on the trail, a few birds, one lizard and lots of "scat" and other wild animals poop on the trail, which seemed to indicate to me that there had been very little human traffic or "scent" on the trail for some time.

Over all a good short hike in and out from the connection point with TR 550. The views towards Verde Valley and the north San Francisco Peaks (see photo gallery) were well worth the effort. There was a lot of haze in the Verde Valley area from the recent prescribed burnings on the west side of 89A.

Enjoy the Hike!
Max and Teddy

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MAP AND DIRECTION TIPS
If coming from Jerome you go about 4 miles south on 89A to about 3 miles 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 theTR 548 trailhead but look for the marked trailhead entrance to TR548 on the north east side of the parking area where you will walk through a metal fence gate. (see photo gallery)

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 3 miles 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 TR 548 trailhead but ook for the marked trailhead entrance to TR548 on the north east side of the parking area where you will walk through a metal fence gate. (see photo gallery)

This RimSurfer Arizona hiking trail photo gallery review features the North Mingus Mountain Trail TR 548 in the Prescott National Forest of Arizona.

North Mingus Mountain Trail TR 548 | Prescott National Forest | RimSurfer Arizona Hiking Trails