Mingus Mountain Trail

[Locked and Loaded]

It's getting hot down here in the valley. Time to stop wheelin, go nocturnal, or head up north. It's not hot enough yet to stop wheelin. Friday nights at the Boulders OHV in my CJ5 (no AC) takes care of the nocturnal part. Soooo it's time to jump in the J10(has AC) and head up north.
On Saturday June 18th I will be running the Mingus mountain trail. It starts in Cottonwood (elev 3400 ft.) and ends at Potato Patch (elev 7400 ft.). Those of you that did the Mothers day run a couple of years ago remember Potato Patch was where we camped.
The trail is 17 miles long. With narrow shelf roads that have a beautiful view of the Verde Valley. I consider this an easy trail suitable for stock rigs. Click on link below.
If anybody wants to join me, I would love to wheel with ya. If you want to go let me know. You know where I hang out.
Happy Trails to you until we meet again.



http://www.jeeptrailinfo.com/trails_arizona/mingus.html


Going
Locked and Loaded (Jeff) J10
jaber (Jeff) Waggy
FSJunkie Waggy

[gwinn]

This sounds like fun! Unfortunately, Gus won't quite be ready yet. I'll try to wheel one with you in July if all goes well.

[Locked and Loaded]

This sounds like fun! Unfortunately, Gus won't quite be ready yet. I'll try to wheel one with you in July if all goes well.

Looking forward to it Tom.

[jaber]

I am going to mark my calendar...:thumbsup:

[Locked and Loaded]

Cool Jeff. Have you run this trail before? Lookin foward to wheelin with you again.

[Locked and Loaded]

Here is a teaser from the last time I ran this trail.

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv97/Dorscher/Mingus.jpg

[jaber]

Thanks Jeff.

I have not run it yet. I have been hearing about it quite a bit though.

Cant wait....:thumbsup:

[Tad]

Probably too close to Ouray for me but:
Meeting Place?
Meeting Time?
Anyone Camping?

[Locked and Loaded]

I usually meet at the Shell station in Camp Verde. 8 a.m. sounds good to me. There are plenty of camping spots on the top of Mingus Mountain. I wasn't planning on camping. But arms are meant to be twisted.:D

[Tad]

We'll have to see how this plays out over the next week.
Got some training to go to and would like to get my hydro-assist installed.
4 hours each way for me so I'd pretty much need to camp.

[FSJunkie]

Looks like the kind of trail I love to do most. I'll come. Could we just meet at the trailhead? Say....10:00?

[Locked and Loaded]

We'll have to see how this plays out over the next week.
Got some training to go to and would like to get my hydro-assist installed.
4 hours each way for me so I'd pretty much need to camp.

Sounds good. Have to keep an eye on fire restrictions also. Looks like its going to be a bad fire season.:(

[Locked and Loaded]

Looks like the kind of trail I love to do most. I'll come. Could we just meet at the trailhead? Say....10:00?

Welcome aboard. This trail is perfect (except for the narrow trails:rolleyes: ) for a stock Waggy. If you want to meet us at the trail head and you know where it's at. Thats fine. But there is no shade. Camp Verde has food, gas, restrooms, ect. The trail head is about 15 min from Camp Verde.
Again because of the heat factor I set the meeting time for 8am. But we could change this depending on who wants to go and how far they have to travel. But I would vote for the earlier the better. Because of the.......heat.

[FSJunkie]

The earlier the better; 8 works. I have 760 Air conditioning: 7 windows down, 60 miles per hour, so heat sucks for me.

[FSJunkie]

I'm also going to be doing this trail on the 25th. OK, you guys are meeting in camp Verde @ 8, what time should I expect you at the trailhead?

[Locked and Loaded]

Between 8:30 and 9:00. But remember there is no shade at the trailhead. I was just going to meet at Camp Verde for the people coming from the south. But that's beginning to look like me. I don't mind meeting at the trail head. If we all know where it's at. Jeff are you comfortable with this?

[Tad]

I'm out (from the south), too much to deal with here.
Looks like a great trip.
Have fun, take pic's.

[Locked and Loaded]

Tad, see you on the trails soon.

[Locked and Loaded]

Saturday morning I should be at the Shell station in Camp Verde (exit 287) between 7:30 and 8:00. I will top off my tank and and wait for anyone. I will leave at 8:00. I will then head to Cottonwood. I will stop at the beginning of the trail. Which is where West Mingus Ave. turns to dirt. I will wait until 9:00. Then I will hit the trail.

[Locked and Loaded]

Jeff (Jaber) and FSJunkie could you please let me know which spot you will be meeting me so I can look for you.

[FSJunkie]

I'll be at the Shell in Camp Verde. I'm leaving my place at 6 so I should be there pretty early. Better early that late. I gather the Shell station is easy to find from I-17. Do any of you doing the trail have CB's?

[Locked and Loaded]

The Shell station is at exit 287. It's easy to find. I'm CB challenged. It's beginning to look like it's only going to be the two of us so we will be alright without one.

[FSJunkie]

Ya, but CBs are fun. Nobody seems to have them these days except for truckers.

[Locked and Loaded]

I don't know all the history. But this may be the AZFSJC first all stock trail ride. This should be interesting.

[FSJunkie]

That's why there's a grand total of 2 people going. :D

[vintagetrks]

If baby jeeps are allowed I may be intrested. I ran this trail a couple months ago with the CAZjeepers and am without my waggy now. Let me know if I can run with you guys in a baby jeep.

[vintagetrks]

I'll be at the Shell in Camp Verde. I'm leaving my place at 6 so I should be there pretty early. Better early that late. I gather the Shell station is easy to find from I-17. Do any of you doing the trail have CB's?
I have a CB :D

[Locked and Loaded]

Randy, your more than welcome to join us. I like running with the FSJ guys (even ex ones). On my rides it's not what you drive. It's all about the people. Man.

[Locked and Loaded]

That's why there's a grand total of 2 people going. :D
This is the green version of a FSJ trail ride. Our carbon foot print will be smaller. I'm loaded and getting ready to head out. See you out there.

[jaber]

Not going to make this one...:banghead:

[fulsizjeep]

no pix yet? :p

have fun! :thumbsup:

[Locked and Loaded]

Two stock FSJs ran Mingus Trail today. I took my J10. Matt (FJSJunkie) and his Mom Suzanne in their 71 Waggy. We had no problems. Not even a flat tire. The trail may be easy for built rigs. But for stockies it has some challenges. The road is very narrow. And has some rocky sections. And 16 year old Matt handled it like an expert. While other kids his age are playing video games. Matt is not only wheeling, but working on his 71 Waggy. And talk about a family heirloom. His Grandfather bought it new.
Before we got on trail I was talking to Matt. I told him about the rocky section. Most people would be saying how they need to get a lift or lockers. Not Matt. He said,"I need to watch my tire placement." It brought me back to when I was 16. Wheeling around Arizona in my 63 Scout. Thanks for that Matt. Nice to meet you and your mom. I'd wheel with you anytime.
Any way here are my pics. Enjoy.



http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv97/Dorscher/Mingus%20June%202011/Picture001.jpg

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv97/Dorscher/Mingus%20June%202011/Picture002.jpg

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv97/Dorscher/Mingus%20June%202011/Picture003.jpg

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv97/Dorscher/Mingus%20June%202011/Picture004.jpg

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv97/Dorscher/Mingus%20June%202011/Picture005.jpg

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv97/Dorscher/Mingus%20June%202011/Picture006.jpg

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv97/Dorscher/Mingus%20June%202011/Picture007.jpg

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv97/Dorscher/Mingus%20June%202011/Picture008.jpg

[gwinn]

Thanks for posting the pics Jeff. I bet the scenery was awesome!

[jsinajeep]

Nice pics Jeff. In a few more days I will be offically RETIRED and be able to do some of them trail with you. It is alway good to find a young man that like to work on something that his grandfather owned and have fun
with it.

[Locked and Loaded]

Thanks for posting the pics Jeff. I bet the scenery was awesome!

Sure was. It's a nice little tail. I know you would like it.

[Locked and Loaded]

Nice pics Jeff. In a few more days I will be offically RETIRED and be able to do some of them trail with you. It is alway good to find a young man that like to work on something that his grandfather owned and have fun
with it.

Here's to your retirement Jerry. You deserve it. We will get together soon.

[fulsizjeep]

Very Nice! The scenery looks great and good to hear it was a good time. Kudos to Matt for taking it on! :thumbsup:

[Locked and Loaded]

If anybody would like to meet this young man. On July 9th. there is going to be an all AMC car show in Sedona. Matt and his family will be showing their 71 Waggy and 63(I think) Rambler Ambassador Station Wagon.

[SEdmonds]

We had a great time - thanks for leading the way, Jeff - it was nice to meet you and Alicia (what a great dog). After we split up, Matt and I hung out in Jerome for a few hours then headed back to Flag via Disneyland...I mean Sedona during a summer weekend. Beautiful trail - loved the water crossings along the way. I took some pix - will resize and post a little later.

Matt does a good job on the trail - and I'm a little biased, but not too much. My Rambler is a 65 - there's some pix of her with the Wag before last weekend's show here:
http://1965rambler.weebly.com/gallery.html
These two cars sat side by side in a car port, forgotten and not running for years...it's only fitting then should go to shows and sit side by side, too.

The Wagoneer is truly an all-purpose vehicle - car show one weekend, wheeling the next. Would love to see you and only other FSJer
's at the AMO show on the 10th in Sedona. We're in the non-judged display section, because we just like having fun with our cars - stop by and we'll have a beer.

There are some nice trails up this way - have to check to see what's still closed from last year's fire, but when you guys get tired of the heat, come up to the cool mountains. There are some beautiful places up here.

[FSJunkie]

Thanks a ton for the very kind write-up Jeff. I wish I had taken more pictures, but I tend to focus really hard on the wheelin'. You won't believe the amount of dust my car ate that trip. I had to service the air cleaner and crankcase inlet filter after following you for 20 miles on that road. Next time, I'm in front! :D
P.S. It's a 1972, not 71.

Now that we are in all out summer, the AZFSJC (us) might start thinking about doing some of the trails I have around here in N. AZ. We have a whole forrest that is littered with wooded trails up on the highest mountain in Arizona. They go to campgrounds, lakes, tops of mountains for a great view, and one even goes to a waterfall that is about the size of Niagra Falls! The best part is, it has never been above 98* here.

Here are the pics I took along the way:
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n578/wagoneer1/proper%20pics/MenJeff.jpg

http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n578/wagoneer1/proper%20pics/Massivedust.jpg

[jaber]

I tell you, I would have much rather been on the trail with you guys then where I ended up, Phoenix...:banghead:
Beautiful pics guys, wish I could have made it, but alas, I had to help family.:rolleyes:

Thanks for sharin...:thumbsup:

[dirty Bakers]

Those are the runs I like.

[will e]

Looks like a great way to beat the heat!

Matt reminds me of one of my friends sons. He is a little older, like 19 or 20 but he like to go camping and wheel'n with us. Most of his friends don't have any interest in being out in the great outdoors.

I can't make the car show. Matt, you should think about heading up to Ouray for the annual gathering one year. The Ouray trails are mostly tame and you can avoid the more difficult trails and still see most of everything!