Upper Mescal Trail

Mescal Trail is 1.36 miles near Jerome, in the Verde Ranger District of Prescott National Forest, as trail number 0547. The typical grade is 12 to 20 percent, the steepest band listed here, so this short trail climbs hard. Native material underfoot, class 3. Hiking, horses and bicycles are all listed as allowed uses. Short and steep is a useful thing to know in advance: it fits inside a morning, but nobody should expect a stroll. Trailhead directions are not posted or parking details, so check with that office before you set off.

Bug Hollow Trail is 2.9 miles near Jerome, in the Verde Ranger District of Prescott National Forest. It is trail number 0548. The typical grade is 12 to 20 percent, the steepest band are listed, so plan on slow going in at least one direction. Native material underfoot, class 2. Hiking, horses and bicycles are listed as allowed uses. The ground near Jerome is steep to begin with, and a trail in this grade band will feel like it. Trailhead directions and seasonal closures are not posted, so check with the district office before the drive.

Powerline Trail climbs 1.97 miles of native dirt near Jerome, Arizona, at a grade of 12 to 20 percent. That pitch means steady work going up and careful footing coming down. Hiking, horseback riding and cycling are all allowed. The path is rated trail class 2, which describes a basic route with limited upkeep, so expect loose rock and narrow tread in places. It is trail number 0549, managed by the Verde Ranger District of the Prescott National Forest. Carry more water than you think you need in warm weather, and call the district office to confirm the trail is open before driving to it.

Butterfly Trail runs 1.59 miles near Jerome, in the Verde Ranger District of Prescott National Forest. It is trail number 0536. The typical grade is 10 to 12 percent, steep for a trail this short, so the climbing is concentrated rather than gradual. It is class 3, on native material. Hiking, horses and bicycles are the listed uses. Short and steep is a useful shape to know about: it fits in a morning, but it is not an easy stroll. Trailhead parking details are not posted, so check with the district office before you drive up.

West Rim Trail runs 1.04 miles on native dirt near Jerome, Arizona, with a grade between 12 and 20 percent. It is short but steep, so the effort per mile is high. Bicycles, horses and people on foot are all permitted. Trail class 2 describes the tread: a basic path, kept passable rather than smooth. The route number is 0538, and the Verde Ranger District of the Prescott National Forest looks after it. Since it is brief, many people join it to a longer loop. Ask the district office about conditions, closures and fire restrictions before you drive out to the trailhead.

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.

Bug Hollow Trail is 2.9 miles near Jerome, in the Verde Ranger District of Prescott National Forest. It is trail number 0548. The typical grade is 12 to 20 percent, the steepest band are listed, so plan on slow going in at least one direction. Native material underfoot, class 2. Hiking, horses and bicycles are listed as allowed uses. The ground near Jerome is steep to begin with, and a trail in this grade band will feel like it. Trailhead directions and seasonal closures are not posted, so check with the district office before the drive.

Butterfly Trail runs 1.59 miles near Jerome, in the Verde Ranger District of Prescott National Forest. It is trail number 0536. The typical grade is 10 to 12 percent, steep for a trail this short, so the climbing is concentrated rather than gradual. It is class 3, on native material. Hiking, horses and bicycles are the listed uses. Short and steep is a useful shape to know about: it fits in a morning, but it is not an easy stroll. Trailhead parking details are not posted, so check with the district office before you drive up.