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    Prescott National Forest

    5.0 (9 reviews)

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    Ed M.

    I was fortunate to have leisure time this weekend and spent hang the day Saturday in the hills between Prescott valley and Cottonwood on a mountain named Mingus. Now, the reasons for this funny name are not entirely clear, as is true for many things in the West. I took the liberty of borrowing someone else's research because I'm too lazy to go to a library: The first mention of the mountain that would become known as Mingus is found in the origin story of the Yavapai people. A girl named Kamalapukwia was placed in a water tight log to survive the worldwide flood. After the waters receded she went to Mingus mountain before dawn and allowed the rising sun to hit "her inside" in preparation for having a child.The origin of Mingus mountain's name is murky. Research has found three different stories explaining its etymology. First, while the Indians kept away from the area, two Mexican brothers named Dominguez farmed and ranched there "in the early days." Some say the mountain got its name when the Indians shortened Dominguez to "Minguez" or "Mingus." (*4) A second account involves William Ming. Around 1876, Ming entered the mountain to prospect and mine. He spent 35 years on the mountain and quickly started calling himself Mingus. A 1911 obituary described Mingus as "a miner and prospecter and is said to have owned several properties in the Black Hills district. Mingus Mountain, in that range bore his name and was christened by him over 30 years ago. He was one of the first to make a mining location there and he lived in that locality for many years."A later, third story is found on the Arizona Highways website: "In the 1880s, Jacob and Joseph Mingus opened a sawmill at the base of the mountain that now bears their name." Source: http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/2017/06/story-behind-names-mingus-mountain.html?m=1 Regardless of how it got the name, it was a beautiful, moderate hike and a nice way to beat the desert heat. Enjoy the pics. Find more at www.instagram.com/Edward.Mitchell.Photography Want to document your hike? Look me up!

    Mr. S.

    Tooling through the high desert forest along some dirt roads I found a mine so I took some rime to hike it and found some amazing rocks and vegetation. It's been hot out last couple of days but fun all the same.

    Eastern slopes of the Mingus Mountain area of the Prescott National Forest. Several hiking trails are visible in the picture.

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    1 year ago

    Beautiful pine, smells great, lake is sparkly in the sun, air is crisp...worth the drive, will be back

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    Thumb Butte Park - More top views

    Thumb Butte Park

    4.6(31 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    OK. This is a super short and super easy hike. It is slightly challenging if you take the direct…read moreroute straight up. Going this direction, it is paved all the way to the base of the rock formation forming the top. Going this direction is also steeper than going the opposite direction (CCW). From here, you're climbing, not hiking. But that part is pretty easy too...just be careful and stay within your limits. Perigrin falcons nest on the top rock section and this section does have a nesting closure period which I believe is summer through fall...but you should research the exact range as I'm not sure. If you keep your eyes open, you can see them most times of the year...but they're fast! You can also get to the base of the rock section forming the top, by a dirt path. The grade is easier, but the path there is longer. You'll occasionally see mountain bikes on this path, so heads up. Regardless of which path you use to get to the top, keep your eyes open (& ears a listening) for rattlesnake. I've seen them multiple times hiking this area. I've also seen numerous hikers that let their dogs run free (against park rule). It would not be a good day for your dog if it gets bitten.

    6 words that say it all: This hike will kick your butt! lol My son and I hiked this around…read morewintertime when it was still cold outside, I paid the $5 parking fee and we soon began our walk up the steep hill. If you have bad knees like I do, walking up is easier than down, my knees hurt so bad every step I took walking down because it was such a long steep down. I was able to make it to the top with my 7-year-old, surprisingly he enjoyed it all. Depending on your viewpoint, I saw someone had just arrived in the parking lot when we were getting ready to leave, thought it'd be nice to just give him my ticket so he could save $5. We were only there for like 1.5 hours. Tip: Also, if you just want to drive by it and take a nice mini scenic drive(because you're like me and you're curious to know what else is up that road..), keep driving on the road past the paid parking and you'll notice people will park on the side of the road and walk the more flat areas, there are further trails you'll notice. I drove the whole thing till it takes you to some nice houses that seem like they're in the middle of nowhere, more beautiful and all the high trees, you drive through the houses in a loop which will lead you back on the same road to head back into town. You'll see it, or just view it on your maps. I've driven it several times, absolutely beautiful views on this mini scenic drive, probably about 15-20 min drive.

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    Thumb Butte Park - Views at the top

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    Prescott National Forest - parks - Updated June 2026

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