Hike Hyde Mountain Prescott National Forest, AZ

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Hyde Mountain is a somewhat remote mountain outside of Prescott, AZ, but there's an excellent road most of the way and a well-maintained trail to the summit. To reach the trailhead head west here (34.83216, -112.64763) and follow an excellent graded road. Take a right here (34.80085, -112.87931) and then a left here (34.80490, -112.87910), where the road then is only suitable for Crossovers or better. The last half mile to the trailhead has a washed out section that might be better walked.

The Hyde Mountain Trail #6 was originally built for access to the lookout tower on the summit, but that tower is no longer in use. What remains is a wide trail that for much of this hike. The trail starts by crossing over a minor drainage and then up a slope, where Hyde Mountain comes into view. After a flatter section of hiking I reached a junction with Grapevine Springs Trail #9825, which I would later use to complete the loop. Keeping right, the trail continues up a gully on the south side of the peak, consistently in excellent shape. A couple of switchbacks led me to the southwest side of the peak, where some nicer views to the north became visible. I passed the junction for the upper portion of the loop (known as Trail #5) before finishing up a couple of switchbacks to reach the summit and the remains of the historic lookout tower.

On the way back I descended along Trail #5 and then continued along Trail #9825 to form a small loop. This was a cute little hike in the middle of nowhere. I had originally intended to hike the nearby peaks to Hyde Mountain's north and west, but I lost interest when I realized it might be a bit brushy and settled for a the trail system. Sometimes I guess it's okay to "enjoy" hiking.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Hyde Mountain

7270 ft

1650 rise

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Hyde Mountain Trailhead.

Ascending briefly in a drainage.

And then up a slope.

View back into the drainage.

Hyde Mountain comes into view, or at least its sub-peaks.

Passing through a gate.

Junction with Trail #9825. I kept right.

Ascending along the Hyde Mountain Trail up a gully.

View back down the gully the trail took me through.

Hyde Mountain up there.

View back. I came from the right, the trailhead out there somewhere. You can see the Hyde Mountain Trail etches into the shrubs on the far right.

Now on the southwest side of Hyde Mountain at a junction with Trail #5. I'd take this on the way down later.

View back as the trail traverses the southwest side.

Switchbacks to the summit. Pinetop Mountain seen center. I originally wanted to hike that one (along with a couple of others), but they're off-trail and looked more brushy than I was in the mood for today.

Lookout tower on Hyde Mountain.

Hyde Mountain summit.

On my way down Trail #5.

Now on Trail #9825.

View back along Trail #9825 before completing the little loop.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!