West Rim Trail

Middle Trail is 0.54 miles near Jerome, in the Verde Ranger District of Prescott National Forest. It is trail number 0537. The typical grade is 12 to 20 percent, the steepest band listed here, which over half a mile means a short, hard climb rather than a walk. It is class 2, on native material. Hiking, horses and bicycles are the listed uses. A trail with this name and shape is generally a connector in the middle of a larger network. Look at it on a map with its neighbors before deciding it is your route.

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.

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.

Playground Group Campground is a group campsite run by the USFS. The mailing address listed is in the Prescott National Forest, listed through Camp Verde. Directions on file say to take State Highway 89A to Forest Road 104, then drive two miles in to the campground. The site can be reserved, so plan on booking ahead instead of driving up and hoping. It is not marked as accessible. The phone number is (928) 567-4121, and the note listed with it says the line is answered during office hours, Monday through Friday. We do not have fees, open season, group size, or a list of what is at the site, so ask when you call.

Upper Mescal Trail is 1.01 miles near Jerome, in the Verde Ranger District of Prescott National Forest. It is trail number 0550. The typical grade is 12 to 20 percent, the steepest band are listed, so a mile here is slow going in the uphill direction. Native material underfoot, class 2. Hiking, horses and bicycles are all listed as allowed uses. The word upper in the name usually signals the higher half of a longer route, so check how it links before you plan it as a walk on its own.

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.