Carrie Nation Trail #78, AZ

The Carrie Nation Trail is not currently listed as a Trail, but I found Write-ups that refer to it as Trail #78. The Trail is a short 1.5 miles long, starting at the Vault Mine Trail and ending at the Agua Caliente Trail. The Trail is steep as you approach Agua Caliente Trail and in places hard to locate. The Carrie Nation Trail can be used as one leg of a loop hike or a means of getting to Jack Mountain.


The point of interest is the Carrie Nation Mine. This Mine was operating around 1903 and mined mainly Copper with some Lead, Zinc, and Molybdenum. The boiler used at the mine to provide steam power is still there and in fairly good condition despite someone using it for target practice (I guess if you’re not very good and there isn’t a broadside of a barn around this will do). The mine when I was there had water in it. If you like to visit old mines and old mining equipment then this is a good hike.To get to this trail, take the Old Baldy trail for 0.3 miles, and stay straight as the Old Baldy Trail exits left. You are now on the Vault Mine Trail. Stay on the Vault Mine Trail for about 0.5 miles where the Vault mine Trail will exit right and the Carrie Nation Trail continue straight. There was no sign mentioning the Carrie Nation Trail. Follow the trail along the stream for about 0.3 miles, the trail will exit the stream to the west and do one switchback and follow above the stream along the West Bank. Continue for about 0.5 miles where the trail will cross the stream again and the Carrie nation Mine will be along the West bank.

From here the trail gets a little vague in places. If you watch closely you will find the trail as it crosses on either side of the stream. Follow the stream up for about 0.3 miles to an elevation of about 6800 feet and the trail (visible here) will do one switchback up along the west side of the creek to the ridge (Once on the ridge you will notice a route that heads straight down the ridge. This is the route some take instead of the creek and will lead down to the Carrie Nation mine). On the ridge, you will see a well-beaten route that has been used by others to get to the Agua Caliente Trail. It is steep and a good workout. From the Agua Caliente trail, you will have to decide where you want to go, Left will take you to Josephine saddle, and right to Agua Caliente Saddle. I will go left to Jack Mountain and have some good views North and South.

2017-03-31 markthurman53