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About this Hike: A few years ago after multiple failed attempts (Goodwin Fire and the like), I finally made it to Mt. Union between Prescott and Crown King.
This year I had my sights set on a trail in that same network called D'Andrea Trial. I'd read about old mines along the trail, and being October, hoped for some fall color.
Having a new 4x4 truck, I was excited to try out it's capabilities once the Senator Highway turned to dirt. While the roads serving this area have to be maintained to some extent since there are little communities in this part of Prescott National Forest, the dirt roads definitely are rough in places.
Arriving at the trailhead, parking was scarce—just as the forest service website said it would be. A Subaru was in the best spot available. But no matter, I found a great spot on the side of the road. No sooner was the truck all parked, and I saw the 'No Parking: Fire Lane' sign nailed to a tree. A large cabin was directly across the road. Lest they call a forest ranger, I started the truck up once again.
Eventually I shoehorned the truck into the only other space barely suitable to park a vehicle (legally). And then we were on our way.
The old mine pops up quickly on the left as you ascend D'Andrea. It is located on the upward side of a steep slope. You have to descend a bit thru a ravine (dry the day I was there) and then up the other side. The mine is full of water nearly to the brim. In fact, water can be seen seeping out the hillside directly below the mine.
We continued on, and the trail quickly ended at the junction with several other trails. We continued down an exposed ridge for a short distance, but wanting more fall color and ponderosa pines, we turned around. We ended up on a trail that quickly led to the summit of Mt. Union. Beautiful, but not new territory by any means.
We returned via D'Andrea. I'll admit this ended up feeling like a 'been here, done this' sort of hike. The temperature quickly plunged into the high 50's, and my raynauds disease quickly led to white fingers. Time to head back into town for a beer.
About this Hike: A few years ago after multiple failed attempts (Goodwin Fire and the like), I finally made it to Mt. Union between Prescott and Crown King.
This year I had my sights set on a trail in that same network called D'Andrea Trial. I'd read about old mines along the trail, and being October, hoped for some fall color.
Having a new 4x4 truck, I was excited to try out it's capabilities once the Senator Highway turned to dirt. While the roads serving this area have to be maintained to some extent since there are little communities in this part of Prescott National Forest, the dirt roads definitely are rough in places.
Arriving at the trailhead, parking was scarce—just as the forest service website said it would be. A Subaru was in the best spot available. But no matter, I found a great spot on the side of the road. No sooner was the truck all parked, and I saw the 'No Parking: Fire Lane' sign nailed to a tree. A large cabin was directly across the road. Lest they call a forest ranger, I started the truck up once again.
Eventually I shoehorned the truck into the only other space barely suitable to park a vehicle (legally). And then we were on our way.
The old mine pops up quickly on the left as you ascend D'Andrea. It is located on the upward side of a steep slope. You have to descend a bit thru a ravine (dry the day I was there) and then up the other side. The mine is full of water nearly to the brim. In fact, water can be seen seeping out the hillside directly below the mine.
We continued on, and the trail quickly ended at the junction with several other trails. We continued down an exposed ridge for a short distance, but wanting more fall color and ponderosa pines, we turned around. We ended up on a trail that quickly led to the summit of Mt. Union. Beautiful, but not new territory by any means.
We returned via D'Andrea. I'll admit this ended up feeling like a 'been here, done this' sort of hike. The temperature quickly plunged into the high 50's, and my raynauds disease quickly led to white fingers. Time to head back into town for a beer.
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