Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Yeager Canyon Loop Day Hike
when Trip Report : November 21, 2020
  Trip Report : May 24, 2014
where? Yaeger Canyon / Coconino National Forest
the hike     This will be a counterclockwise loop hike in the Mingus Mountain area, starting on the Yaeger Canyon Trail (#28), followed by the Little Yaeger Canyon Trail (#533), and then the Yaeger Cabin Trail (#111). From the trailhead we will descend a steep and rocky trail, dropping 1,300 feet to the bottom of Yaeger Canyon and Highway 89A. Turn left here and walk parallel with the highway for about a quarter mile.
    Turn left again at an unmarked trail, which is actually the Little Yaeger Canyon Trail (#533) and start climbing the west rim of Mingus Mountain in a series of switchbacks. After 2.0 miles we come to Allen Spring Road. Turn left onto the road and follow it for 0.2 miles to Yaeger Cabin Trail (#111). Watch for the sign on the left side of the road. We’ll probably stop for a rest and lunch break somewhere in this area before hitting the Yaeger Cabin Trail.
    We start hiking north on the Yaeger Cabin Trail through a heavy forest cover of pine and oak, gradually descending along a canyon tributary before beginning a climb to the canyon headwaters. About 1.5 miles from Allen Spring Road make a right turn at the junction to get back to the trailhead and our vehicles. If we have enough time after the hike and can find a few parking spaces in Jerome, which could be a challenge on a Saturday, we may do a short walking tour of Jerome and look for a place to eat dinner. If that doesn’t work, then we will look for a place somewhere in the Prescott Valley area.
    NOTE: We last did this hike on May 24, 2014.
Required:
•  Sturdy hiking boots
•  At least 3 liters of water
•  Rain poncho
•  Hat, sunblock, sunglasses
Recommended:
•  Lunch or snacks
•  Camera
distance 6.8 mile loop
time 4-5 hours
EC -+1300' elevation change
elevations 7,300 feet at the trailhead, 6,000 feet at the lowest point
type loop
starting at Yaeger Canyon Trailhead
on trail 100% — Little Yaeger Canyon, Yaeger Cabin, and Yaeger Canyon Trails
rating "C+"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs allowed no
cost The club allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
weather Jerome
meet 8:00 AM in the parking lot west of Denny’s on the SW corner of I-17 & Bell Road. Due to COVID19 restrictions we cannot carpool, but will caravan from here to the trailhead to keep everyone together. We’ll leave promptly at 8:15 AM.
drive
•  Take I-17 north to Highway 69 at Cordes Junction.
From Highway 69 turn right onto Fain Road. (This is a major intersection with a stop light. A right turn goes to the Prescott Fairgrounds, and a left turn goes to the Prescott Country Club.)
Drive for 6.0 miles on Fain Road and turn right onto Highway 89A.
Drive for 12.1 miles on 89A to the top of Mingus Mountain and turn right onto Forest Road 104. Restrooms are located at the top of the hill.
Drive for 1.5 miles on FR 104 and turn right onto FR 413.
Drive for 0.8 miles on FR 413 to a small parking area and the Yaeger Canyon Trailhead.
Both forest roads are suitable for all vehicles as long as they are dry and there has been no major rainfall in the area recently. In the event of recent heavy rainfall, we may substitute another hike.

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updated November 23, 2020 © Copyright 2020, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.