Yavapai County High Point Trip Report

Mount Union (7,979 ft)

Date: June 19, 2000
Author: Roy Wallen

Without the use of some kind of map, this one is hard to locate. However, with a tool as simple as a Forest Service sketch of the area, it is easy to drive to. We took the Jeep to the top; it is not likely suitable for passenger cars, although some may attempt it. A Forest Service Ranger office is located on Gurley Street (Route 89) east of Prescott.

From Prescott, drive east on Gurley to Mount Vernon Avenue. Turn right (south) and follow South Mount Vernon Avenue up out of the city. South Mount Vernon becomes the Old Senator Road and turns to dirt. After the turn-off for Wolf Creek Campground (a nice, quiet area to camp), continue on the main and increasingly narrow road to where the Senator Road intersects with Walker Road (sharp left) at a wide intersection. Senator bears right up a hill and continues toward Palace Station (an old stagecoach way station). Continue following generally up and south, as it becomes rougher. At a cattle guard, turn left (east) onto Forest Road (FR) 261. FR 261 reaches a Y-intersection with a sign indicating 6 miles to Big Bug Mesa and 1 mile to Mt. Union. The left branch is FR 261A and leads to the summit buildings and towers.