MINGUS MOUNTAIN FREEHIKE

On Tuesday (9?19/2017) three NAZ members freehiked the Mingus Mountain Trail.  Dan, Jeff, and I parked in the normal parking place, got ready for the hike, and started down the area we had left unimproved (so it would remain private).  Soon we reached the cliffs where we undressed and left our clothes while we enjoyed the trail au natural.  (The trail is so private you can safely enjoy it without a net.)    We noticed many wild flowers and butterflies as we walked the slightly-uphill trail, which passed along a dry wash (the trail crosses this several times) and up a beautiful canyon filled with old-growth forest.  Much of the trail is in cool shade, but the occasional sun felt marvelous on our bodies.  After hiking a mile or so we stopped at a log picnic area to enjoy a quick lunch.  Then, we walked up the trail a little further until we reach an area that needed more clearing, where we turned around and freehiked back to the cliff and our clothes.  Soon, we returned to our cars, the end of a very enjoyable and private freehike.