Ash Creek Trail

Barely more than a third of a mile long, at 0.38 miles, this is a short connector rather than a day outing. Grades still reach the 10 to 12 percent band, so the little distance it covers is climbed quickly. The tread is native dirt. Bicycles, horses, and hiking are the allowed uses, with no motorized travel listed. Trail 9706 is rated class 2, meaning light construction and a simple tread. The Verde Ranger District of the Prescott National Forest manages it. Its length makes it most useful as a link between longer routes, so look at a district map before you plan around it.

Ash Canyon Trail runs 2.89 miles near Jerome, in the Verde Ranger District of Prescott National Forest, as trail number 0539. The typical grade is 12 to 20 percent. That is steep, and on a canyon route it usually means the climbing comes in long pushes rather than spread out evenly. The tread is native material; the class is 2. Hiking, horses and bicycles are the listed uses, though a grade this steep is hard work on a bike in at least one direction. Trailhead directions and water information are not posted for this trail, so plan from the district office before you go.

Septic work is the whole business here: pumping, tank locating, inspections, repairs, new and replacement systems, perc tests, excavation, and sewer and drain cleaning. The crew is based in Dewey and has worked across Yavapai County since 1989. It is a licensed, bonded and insured Arizona contractor, ROC 220377. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon, and the office is closed Saturday and Sunday. Service reaches Jerome, Cottonwood and Camp Verde. Call (928) 925-4045 or write to septic4045@gmail.com for an estimate, and ask what a pump out costs before the truck rolls.

At 7.67 miles, this is the longest of the routes in the Verde Ranger District listed here, and the grades are the steepest band on offer at 10 to 12 percent. The tread is native dirt throughout. Hiking, horseback riding, and bicycles are the allowed uses, and motors are not on that list. Trail 0114 is rated class 3, so the tread is better defined than a rough path, though length and grade still make it a full outing. The Prescott National Forest manages it. Start early in warm months, carry more water than you think you need, and ask the ranger district about conditions first.

Hikers, riders on horseback and cyclists all share Gaddes 2 Trail, which runs 2.39 miles over native dirt near Jerome, Arizona. The grade stays gentle, between 5 and 8 percent, so the climbing is moderate next to the steeper routes on the mountain. It is rated trail class 3, meaning the tread is wider and better defined than a rough backcountry path. The route carries number 9037 and falls under the Verde Ranger District of the Prescott National Forest. Check with the district for seasonal closures, fire restrictions and current conditions before you set out, and pack water for the whole trip.

Riders on an ATV share this one with people on foot, on a bicycle, and on horseback, so expect to meet motorized traffic. It runs 3.07 miles on native dirt, with grades in the 5 to 8 percent range, which makes for a moderate and fairly even pull. Trail 0546 is rated class 3, a step more developed than a rough footpath, with a wider and better defined tread. The Verde Ranger District of the Prescott National Forest manages it. Dirt tread can wash out after a storm, so ask the ranger district about conditions before a long ride. Yield rules matter here, since users travel at very different speeds.

Grades of 0 to 5 percent make this one of the flatter routes in the area, and it runs 4.29 miles on native dirt. Trail 1000 is rated class 3, so the tread is wider and better defined than a rough footpath, which suits a steady pace over a longer distance. This is Red Rock Ranger District land, on the Coconino National Forest. Allowed uses are not listed here, so check with the ranger district before bringing a bicycle, a horse, or anything motorized. Gentle grade does not mean short, so carry water for the full distance and ask about conditions after any storm.

At 7.67 miles, this is the longest of the routes in the Verde Ranger District listed here, and the grades are the steepest band on offer at 10 to 12 percent. The tread is native dirt throughout. Hiking, horseback riding, and bicycles are the allowed uses, and motors are not on that list. Trail 0114 is rated class 3, so the tread is better defined than a rough path, though length and grade still make it a full outing. The Prescott National Forest manages it. Start early in warm months, carry more water than you think you need, and ask the ranger district about conditions first.