Trailshot:
Two recently constructed multi-use trails in the Cerbat range near Kingman.
Camp Beale Loop is 3.2 miles, and with 500 feet of climb it's a bit strenuous,
but not too tricky to ride.
The Badger Trail is a much bigger climb (1200 feet), and cuts across
major side slopes most of it's length (3.75 miles). It ends at Castle Rock,
a pile of huge boulders high on a ridge overlooking the Sacramento valley.
The trail is twisty and boulders are numerous, so the return trip requires
skill and finesse for a quick descent. If you like fast, technical and risky,
this one's for you.
Where is it?
For the Badger Trail:
Starting at Kingman on Interstate 40, head northwest on highway 93 towards
Lost Wages (Las Vegas). About four miles out, go past the route 68 interchange,
and immediately keep an eye on the right roadside for an unmarked
turnoff going over a cattleguard and up onto the parking area. If you miss
the turn it's a long way getting back around again. The trailhead is 100
yards up the road behind the parking.
For the Camp Beale Loop:
Again head for Las Vegas on highway 93 from Kingman. At about one half
mile from I-40, look for Fort Beale Road on the right. Go up Fort Beale Road
more than a mile until you see a sign on the left reading 'Camp Beale Trail'.
Follow the road behind the sign 1/4 mile to the trailhead.
Badger Trail
Originally a depression era trail, it was rebuilt from '98 to '00 by Heritage fund monies, shock program inmates, and local volunteers (yours truly included).
It's 3.75 miles one way, and classed as multi-use (non-motorized). Hikers like it alot, and the first mile is safe enough for kids. After that, trailside dropoffs get pretty severe. There's hitching racks for the horses too, but you wouldn't get me up on one here, no sir. What's needed is a grand canyon mule that doesn't mind bikes. Strangely, this trail remains mostly unused, possibly due to the location and lack of a highway sign.
It's a steady 1200 foot vertical rise over a distance of 3 miles to the 4600 ft. mark, but there's little shade to cool off in, thus 'june at noon' is HOT! The second half of the climb zig-zags up a huge, east facing canyon wall. The last three quarters of a mile are almost flat riding, with a big panoramic view.
At the end awaits Castle Rock. The top rock is accessible; however, the last part is kinda scary even for a boulder bum like me.
Much of the trail is fairly technical, twisting thru massive minerals and pointy plants. Coming down, high speeds are possible, but muy dangeroso! I personally find this downhill very entertaning.
The loop takes it's name from the historic site down on the flat below the trail, where an early camp and cavalry barracks (Fort Beale) once stood. There's little sign of it now.
This new multi-use trail is 3.2 miles around, not very technical or narrow, and climbs 500 vertical feet onto the mesa and back down. It can be ridden either way, but clockwise is better 'cause the climbing is zig-zag and the downhill is fast 'n straight (almost).
It's right near Kingman, so it gets lots of use. Be prepared to meet hikers, horses, and hounds.
Mountain bikers are rare here, and horses may not be familiar with them, so watch it, people! They got the right of way, too.
There's a third new trail nearing completion (as of Dec. 2001), that will join the other two trails at their midpoints. Look for a 'Castle Rock Trail' update here soon!
