Story and photos by Cheryl Hartz
On Mingus Mountain in the Prescott National Forest, the Gaddes Canyon Trail is downhill all the way. Or it’s uphill all the way, depending upon which trailhead you access. Either way, you’ll hike both up and down round trip, so it’s good exercise with sweeping views, shade on the side whenever you want it, and a feeling of isolation from the world.
If you want to start out easy, the Mingus Mountain campground trailhead off Forest Road 104 is for you. This is the most popular with campers and day hikers. It really is not downhill (yet), but a gentle climb from the canyon bottom before it follows an old road to the flat area on top, according to the Forest Service website. We didn’t try it, but hiked from the opposite end, where we were camped.
The other trailhead begins at Forest Road 413, also known as Allen Springs Road, between several dry camping sites. This option will give you a one-mile aerobic hike up a rocky trail with a few rather steep areas. Switchbacks are seldom. Shade is plentiful.
Relish a rest on the flat top. Partake in a picnic or snack, and enjoy the views all the way to the Bradshaw Mountains, Prescott Valley, and Dewey-Humboldt from an elevation of nearly 7,700 feet. Scout around and find evidence of deer and elk. Then cruise back down or continue another couple of miles to the campground. The total one-way trail length is 2.6 miles.
Take plenty of water for yourself and your intrepid canine. We used to make our two rescue brothers carry their own liquid refreshment in their saddlebag-type backpacks. But we have only 10-year-old Jack now. Although he is strong, healthy, and used to walking a couple of miles a day, he is starting to show his years, so we try not to cause him undue stress. OK, I admit – I baby him more.
Whichever start you choose, you will experience a canopy of primarily ponderosa pine forest with oak and walnut trees interspersed. Different varieties of cactus bloom with bright red or yellow flowers. Wildflowers spring up in the most unlikely places – the middle of a rocky trail or from a boulder.
Trail No. 110, with a difficulty level rated moderate, is for hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bicyclists. The latter two categories should not use the trail when it’s wet. Know when to yield the trail: horses take priority, then hikers. Bikers yield to everyone.
As of June 1, all Arizona forests were under Stage 2 fire restrictions. That means no smoking, shooting, wood or charcoal fires. The Forest Service implemented the burn ban on April 21, earlier than normal, to “reduce human caused wildfire during global pandemic.” Generally, restrictions are not lifted until the monsoons are well underway, typically later in July.
Also as of June 1, no set date for reopening campgrounds or services at day-use sites was available. The Forest Service anticipated “a phased reopening at some point in June,” according to the website. For updated information, visit: fs.usda.gov/main/Prescott/home
Be safe and happy summer hiking!
