big man tips

CAMP BEALE LOOP Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area, Kingman View of the Monolith Garden area from Camp Beale Loop Hikers, be forewarned; you might find yourself hitting the brakes while traveling through Kingman on State Route 93.   Several trailheads tucked among hulking white cliffs and a surreal landscape of mesas and buttes beckon hike-inclined travelers to take a detour of discovery on an eclectic collection of trails just off this bleak strip of highway in Arizona�s far northwest corner. A wash of volcanic black sand below the trail The Cerbat Hills Recreation Area in northwest Kingman has four interconnected routes, each with unique attractions. Camp Beale Trail, which sits at the heart of the system, offers a moderate day hike that links to the area�s more than 17 miles of trails. For newbies, it�s a good place to start.   At just over 3 miles in length, the Camp Beale Loop gives a scenic overview of the system with less than 500 feet of climbing.   From the trailhead, head right

SLATE �QUARTZ-GO JOHN LOOP Cave Creek Regional Park Slate Trail The site of Cave Creek Regional Park has a storied history.   Cactus sprouts Before there were hiking trails, campgrounds and picnic ramadas, the park and its surroundings were used by the ancient Hohokam people, mine operations, farms and ranches.   The park�s relics of human endeavors are transient compared to its geological features.   Although the 2,922-acre site has been picked over by prospectors in search of gold deposits that never quite materialized, the peaks, gullies and bizarre curiosities borne of earth�s disruptive forces remain basically unchanged since before humans arrived.   Jasper and Quartz Taking a moderate-rated loop stroll on the Slate, Quartz and Go John trails reveals a wonderland of rock while staying (mostly) away from the park�s busiest routes. Slate Trail departs from a paved parking area with restrooms, heading east on an easy-to-follow, wash-addled tread.   During the first stretch, minor out

OLD POST-CARROLL CANYON LOOP View of Capitol Butte (Thunder Mountain) from Ridge Trail Recent trail development in the southwest corner of Sedona has added miles of fresh dirt in the hilly terrain between Airport Mesa and Oak Creek.   Routes like Skywalker, Scorpion and Pyramid are terrific supplements that connect to a maze of old standards, providing additional access points and myriad opportunities to create loop treks.   Wilson Mountain seen from Carroll Canyon Trail Before exploring the new and shiny, take a walk on the original, well-worn Carroll Canyon Area Trails for an overview of the what makes this pocket of high desert and deeply scoured gullies so special.   Downloadable forest service maps and signs posted throughout make the system easy to navigate the core trails--Carrol Canyon, Ridge, Herkenham and Old Post.   Whichever way you lace this one up, be sure to include the 1.8-mile Carroll Canyon Trail because you won�t want to miss the best part�a dizzying traverse above a