About this Hike: Earlier in September I blogged about my experiences in the Mt. Union Fire Lookout. While the U.S. Forest Service Ranger in the tower rambled about his libertarian views (I mentioned he was quiet a character), I heard 'Mingus Mountain reporting' crackle over the two-way radio. 'What's Mingus Mountain?' I wondered. Upon returning home I did some research. Another Prescott trip was inspired.
Mingus lies between Prescott Valley and Jerome. It's an easy drive up from Phoenix on paved, two-lane highway nearly the entire trip. As you approach Mingus you traverse some ugly golden grassland that I can imagine one careless cigarette-butt-out-the-car-window may set ablaze. As you wind your way up the Mingus Mountain Scenic Byway grassland rapidly gives way to ponderosa pine forest. And on a side note, the mountain passes were a blast, pushing the handling prowress of my recently acquired Mazda CX-3. But I'll digress...this blog is for reviewing my hikes, not cars.
Mingus Mountain is a well-defined recreation area. At the base is what's known as the picnic area, with a vast paved surface lot, two picnic tables, and a latrine... A well-graded dirt and gravel road leads to the top of Mingus. We opted to park on pavement and hike up the road. Note if you choose to do this: bring a bandana to cover your nose and mouth with. The road can be dusty whenever a vehicle passes by, so use caution.
While driving to the top is an option, you'll miss some beautiful scenery doing so. There was ridge of firey fall color (and pretty much the only fall color we got on this hike). You pass through several meadows and then by Mingus Lake (basically a fishing pond). At Mingus Lake there was a meadow full of cattle grazing. Only they were bulls. And there was no fence/pen. I nervously walked to the other side of the road. Up the embankment was a wire (not razor nor electric) fence. I seriously considered getting on the other side. How is it legal to allow bulls to graze without a pen?! Regardless, there were people fishing in the lake, including some children that were running around. The bulls seemed far more interested in the grassy meadow...
We reached the Mingus Fire Lookout only to discover it was closed for the season. I've been up enough of these now that it wasn't a total crusher that this was closed. Mingus is a very tall, narrow fire tower with a ladder up to the hatch. My fear of heights would've kept me in check.
There are a number of side trails to explore from the Mingus Summit. There's also a scenic vista and hang glider launch ramp. The vista affords fantastic views of Sedona and the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff. Cathedral Rock and a few other Sedona landmarks are visible to the naked eye. It's time for me to get new binoculars.
A few additional things about this hike:
- Parking at the summit is $5. It's free at the base
- With radio warning signs everywhere, plenty of communications towers greet you at the summit. I had great cell service, although it was spotty on the side trails
- Maps on U.S. Forest Service's website are OK, but I noted a few confusing points
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| Free-range bulls...literally |
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| Sedona in the distance |
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