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| | | Mint Springs Figure 8 UN Trifecta, AZ | | | |
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Mint Springs Figure 8 UN Trifecta, AZ
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| Hiking | 7.35 Miles |
914 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.35 Miles | 2 Hrs 33 Mns | | 3.13 mph |
| 914 ft AEG | 12 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | The day’s priority was some personal biz in the Prescott area. Things took longer than anticipated, and before I knew it, I was scrambling to reach the Williamson Valley TH, [which appeared to be the closest and most straightforward near where I was]. Given how I really had to wing it, the easy loop I ended up doing proved to be such a pleasant surprise.
Initially I was contemplating the Mint Springs Figure 8 portion of The Eagle’s badpumpkin 20+ mile route - [ gps route ] however, with barely 2.5 hours of daylight, it soon became clear there was no way it was happening before dark. After some technical difficulties with Route Scout during the first mile or so, I finally got the app to behave and the topo came in extremely handy for some spur of the moment freestyling.
The loop I did kicked off down Tin Trough Springs #308, [which I think might be a different trail than any of the ones in The Eagle’s route that I posted above… Route Scout was misbehaving when I started the hike so I had to take a guess!]. After about a mile, I hung a left onto the Mint Wash Trail #345, and about 1.2 miles after that [at the middle of the figure 8], continued on the Willow Trail #347, heading toward UN 5549.
The 30 second scamper up UN 5549 was as easy as it gets, thanks to having tons of well-beaten routes to choose from. When I reached the top, it became obvious as to why such a tiny, remote, unnamed little hill would get so much traffic: ruins! Not having had time to read trail descriptions for all the hikes I’d planned out in the area, the ruins came as a very pleasant surprise. They’re nothing like the amazing ruins at the Wupatki NM, [but much better than Circlestone in the Sups], and definitely a treat when you’re out for a quick hike and not expecting it.
After UN 5549/the ruins, I continued a short ways down the Willow Trail #347 while contemplating my options. I wanted to be back before dark, [which wasn’t happing if I opted for the full figure 8 loop], but I really liked the idea of a figure 8 loop… and if there was a way to work in some additional AEG, all the better. Enter UN 5619, a tiny little UN “peak” that I noticed on Route Scout’s topo, situated right in between the Willow & Mint Wash Trails. As I passed by a small, sandy wash with almost no brush and some fun looking boulders, [which happened to be headed right toward UN 5619], I took off into the wash and headed toward the small peak without a second thought. The bushwhacking was very easy, and there were even some faint routes. Although there wasn’t much elevation to be gained, the short scramble up to and down from UN 5619 provided just the right amount of added fun I was looking for.
After UN 5619, the Mint Wash Trail was a hop, skip, and a jump away. Just before the turn off to Mint Springs, I saw a skunk a short distance off the trail in a lush grassy area. It didn’t seem afraid of me but after taking a few steps toward it for some pics lifted it’s tail… at which point I decided it was probably best to not get any closer and continued on my way. Mint Springs was dry but there was some light flow and pretty pools along Mint Wash, which I’d crossed over just before connecting with the Mint Wash Trail.
Upon reaching the center of the figure 8, I was preparing to jump on the Willow Trail #347, which would take me back to the TH and complete the loop. Daylight was running out fast, but I couldn’t resist making one final enhancement to the loop: hitting up UN 5482 and then rejoining the Willow Trail #347. For only 2.5 hour on the trails, this loop did not disappoint! |
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| God save the Prom Queen, cuz [reality check!] AEG's King...! |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
, I found hiking the Prescott Circle Trail quite entertaining. Dallin and I have very different capabilities and both did the PCT we were capable of 
. Even this one I had to do as a slackpacker. My hats off to Dallin and the real PCT.
Willow 
