Mingus Mountain, Prescott National Forest
Montanan George Ochenski explains what’s goin’ on:
[Update: 4/19/23 – Walked in Woodchute Wilderness today – unusual “wilderness”:
Woodchute Trail #102 was established along what was once a bulldozer track on the south side of Woodchute Mountain. The bulldozer was used to create several cattle watering tanks. The ponderosa pines along the trail are all second growth. The original forest was cut down when the copper mines at Jerome were in operation and loggers came to this mountain to harvest shoring timbers for the mines. They transported the logs by way of a chute extending down the north side of the mountain to loading platforms for the narrow gauge railroad that served Jerome. It is from this chute that the mountain and trail take their name. The narrow gauge railroad is now Forest Road 318, which marks the end of the Woodchute Trail #102.
There are splendid views in all directions from the top of Woodchute Mountain. From the south trailhead, it is a fairly easy 2.3 mile climb, with an elevation gain of only 600 feet. The elevation difference between the summit and the north trailhead, however, is over 2,000 feet. There are some steep switchbacks on this side.
This trail is within the Woodchute Wilderness. Motor vehicles and the use of any mechanized equipment, including bicycles, are prohibited. Wilderness is an important resource and national heritage—please, leave no trace.