3rd Annual Ming Fling

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/6/4/8/600_155138472.jpeg 3rd ANNUAL MINGUS MOUNTAIN MING FLING Saturday August 31, 2013

Carpool 7am, Hike 9am Moderate 4.3 miles RT 1,100 ft elevation gain

Wear your red, white and blue for this 3rd annual Labor Day weekend trek over Mingus Mountain. The Arizona Hang Gliding Association will be holding their annual MING FLING and will add some excitement to our hike! We'll start on the View Point Trail #106, which hugs the side of Mingus Mountain & provides constant enjoyable views of the Verde Valley, Cottonwood & Sedona. After 1.5 miles, we'll take the #105 Connector Trail for 0.4 miles to the North Mingus Trail #105. We'll turn Left here and start climbing back up Mingus Mountain. The climb is steady but not too steep. You'll know you're near the top when the pines and aspens appear. At the top the trail flattens out and heads back towards the campground. At 0.3 miles you'll reach the hang gliding launch area where we'll pause and enjoy some conversation with the hang gliders. Finally, we'll follow the dirt road 0.7 miles back to the parking area. OPTIONAL LUNCH AFTERWARDS AT BLUE HILLS CAFE 12262 E Bradshaw Mountain Rd Dewey, AZ 928.772.7893

Carpool: Be early for a prompt 7am departure! Bagel Gourmet 16845 N. 29th Ave Phoenix located on the West end of the Fry's shopping center at I-17/Bell Rd.

Directions: Take I-17 North to exit 262 (AZ69) towards Prescott. To bypass Prescott, take Fain Road North and head directly to Hwy 89A. Take a Right (east) towards Jerome. At the summit of Mingus Mtn, turn Right at the signed junction for the Methodist Camp (FR104) and follow the well-graded dirt road for 2.6 miles in the Mingus Mtn campground. At the first stop sign, go straight and park at the trailhead. $5 parking pass per vehicle payable at the trailhead.

Bring: 3-4 liters water, snacks, sunscreen, hat, camera, emergency rain poncho or rain gear and $1 voluntary donation for the 3H fund.