Blowout Wash Trail System, Prescott National Forest, Cottonwood
The still-expanding Blowout Wash Trail System southwest of Cottonwood offers a set of loopy trails that explore the foothills below the east flans of Mingus Mountain. A good way to get acquainted with the system is to make a loop hike using the Bullseye Trail No. 557 and the Campus Trail No. 559 for a short tour of the ocotillo-and-bear grass-cluttered landscape with views of Sedona’s red rock formations.
- LENGTH: 3.3 mile loop as described here
- RATING: easy
- ELEVATION: 3,706- 4,031 feet
- BEST SEASON: October – April
- FACILITIES: none
GETTING THERE
- From Interstate 17 north of Camp Verde, take the Cornville Road exit 293 heading west (go left).
- Continue 17.7 miles on Cornville Road (County Road 30) which will turn into Mingus Avenue and then Forest Road 493 to the large Blowout Wash trailhead.
- For reference, the trailhead is 1.5 miles south of the Cottonwood Municipal Airport.
- Roads are paved up to the last half mile where FR 493 is a dirt/gravel track suitable for all vehicles.
