Yarnell Hill Backcountry Loop
Gold rush trails through wildfire-scarred desert mountains
Yarnell Hill Backcountry Loop follows old wagon roads and mining tracks through the Weaver Mountains, where gold seekers once hauled ore down treacherous switchbacks to the smelters in Congress. The route starts near the town of Yarnell—site of the tragic 2013 Granite Mountain Hotshots wildfire—and winds through chaparral-covered hills to the ghost town of Octave and the ruins of Rich Hill placer mines. Steep granite ledges and tight switchbacks challenge drivers as the trail climbs through Ponderosa pine groves that somehow survive at this elevation in the desert.
This is a moderate route suitable for stock high-clearance 4WDs, though the rocky descents and off-camber turns require attention and patience. Bring plenty of water and check fire restrictions—this country burns fast and hot during summer months. Best tackled October through April when temperatures cool and wildfire danger drops. The payoff includes 360-degree views of the Hassayampa Valley, glimpses of desert bighorn sheep on remote ridgelines, and excellent camping spots among the junipers where you can watch Phoenix’s glow on the southern horizon. It’s classic Arizona mining country with enough technical challenge to keep things interesting.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 42 mi / 67.6 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5200 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Yarnell, Arizona |
| Land manager | Prescott National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run this trail without modifications?
Yes. The minimum requirement is a stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle and that's genuinely sufficient here. Lifted rigs will have more comfort on the rocky sections, but a bone-stock 4Runner handles the loop fine at moderate speeds.
Is the trail accessible in summer?
Technically open, but summer in the Weaver Mountains means brutal heat — regularly over 100°F in the lower desert sections. Best season is October through April; attempting this in July or August is a legitimate safety risk, not just uncomfortable.
Do I need a permit to run this loop or camp overnight?
No permit required. The trail runs through Prescott National Forest, which allows dispersed camping under standard National Forest rules — 14-day stay limit, 300 feet from water sources, pack out your trash.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The rocky shelf roads descending off the Weaver Mountain ridgeline are the crux — loose rock, some off-camber moves, and limited room to maneuver. Nothing that'll require a winch at a moderate pace, but it demands attention and you don't want to be rushing it in fading light.
How far is the nearest gas station and is cell service reliable enough to call for help if something goes wrong?
Yarnell has fuel — top off before you leave town, because there's nothing on the loop itself. Cell service is spotty at best and nonexistent in the lower canyons, so carry a satellite communicator; don't count on your phone to bail you out.
Trail track
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