CORNVILLE NON-MOTORIZED TRAILS
CORNVILLE
NON-MOTORIZED TRAILS
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| View of Mingus Mountain and Jerome from Backbone Trail |
Spanning
the space Northeast of the Verde River between the communities of
Bridgeport and Cornville is a system of trails that just got a shot
in the arm. Although the trails have been around for awhile, a recent
influx of grant dollars has helped fund new trailheads, signs and
fresh trail construction. The Cornville Non-Motorized Trails project
is being coordinated by Yavapai County and the Cornville Community
Association in partnership with the Forest Service. The overall goal
is to establish a 12-mile network of routes to link the two towns.
The work-in-progress is coming together quickly and is now open to
hiking, biking and equestrian use.
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| New signs were installed in March 2017 |
The trails located between Zalesky
and Tissaw Roads are mostly complete, signed and easy to follow. This
segment of the system is anchored by the Backbone Trail which passes
through a wash-riddled high desert with views of Jerome and Mingus
Mountain to the west and Sedona to the north.
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| Backbone Trail |
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| Cliff-rose and paintbrush |
Two loops�Zalesky and
Side Oats�attach to Backbone making for roughly 6-7 miles of hiking
between the two trailheads. The single track dirt and sand paths
brush by subdivisions, farm houses and plenty of open country with
limestone escarpments and a smattering of juniper trees dotting
grassy plains. This exposed landscape hosts a plethora of blooming
plants including Cliff-rose, Crucifixion-Thorn, Mormon Tea and dozens
of ankle-high wildflowers. Near Tissaw Road, the trail climbs a tiny
mound for glimpses of Sedona's House Mountain and the Verde River
watershed.
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| Sego lilies bloom along the trails |
Across Tissaw Road, the system continues to evolve with
new construction happening on the Dog Leg, Creosote and Black Grama
Loops.
LENGTH:
12 miles total
RATING:
easy-moderate
ELEVATION:
3170' - 3560'
GETTING
THERE:
Zalesky
Road Trailhead (Bridgeport):
From
Interstate 17 north of Camp Verde, take the McGuireville exit 293 and
go 12.3 miles west on Cornville Road to State Route 89A. Turn left
and continue 1 mile to Zalesky Road, turn left and go 0.1 to the
trailhead on the left.
Tissaw
Road Trailhead (Cornville):
From
Interstate 17 north of Camp Verde, take the McGuireville exit 293 and
go 11.2 miles west on Cornville Road to Tissaw Road. Turn left and
continue 1 mile to the trailhead on the right.
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