|
Those who love experiences in out-of-the-way places in the desert will want to explore the rugged Cerbat Mountains of northwestern Arizona.
Springtime is just the season for the Cerbats since summer temperatures will soar, even at an elevation of 6,000 feet. This is a trip for those who prefer the outdoors without many frills, but any lack of creature comforts will be offset by the splendid scenery.
Visitors to the Cerbats can picnic, camp, hike, watch wildlife, take photos, ride horseback and explore primitive roads. Facilities are few, however, so make sure you have plenty of gas in your vehicle, enough water for your needs plus radiator water, a good spare tire, firewood or a camp stove if staying overnight and trash bags to haul refuse home for proper disposal.
Atop the crest of the Cerbat Range, the Bureau of Land Management has established two small campgrounds set amid the sparse covering of pinyons and junipers. They are reached by way of steep, unpaved Big Wash Road off U.S. Highway 93, the highway from Hoover Dam to Kingman. Watch for this road as you approach Grasshopper Junction, the road to old Chloride. The turnoff lies about a mile and a half northwest of the road to Chloride, some 32 miles beyond the Temple Bar turnoff. The distance from Las Vegas is about 80 miles.
The nine-mile route into the Cerbats begins through a little canyon where a small stream fosters several small meadows. Cattle and horses often feed and water there. This is a lovely spot to stop for a look around and to picnic. Early wildflowers will dot the meadows and watercourse. Soon colorful cactus will be in bloom. Be careful when you walk, however, for rattlesnakes are emerging. Where there is water, there is good hunting for snakes and the boulders provide excellent hiding and denning places. If you see or hear a snake, give it wide berth and leave it alone.
Soon the road begins a series of steep switchbacks in its climb up the pitched slope of the Cerbats. Heed the sign at the foot of the grade that warns against trying to haul a trailer up this road. Horseback riders should pull their trailers well off the road and ride to the top in easy stages with plenty of rest stops. Since there is no water in the campgrounds, equestrians must plan to haul water for the horses' use once they have finished the climb or at intervals along the way.
Although it is a steep climb, it is a fair road and even passenger vehicles should be able to make it to the top. It is nine miles from the highway to the first campground called Packsaddle Campground. Then the road runs along the ridge tops to the second, larger campground at Windy Gap. Although the road does continue for a distance beyond Windy Gap, it soon turns into a badly washed, very rough track. Hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers may want to tackle this end of the road. It will take you to the foot of the mountains near Chloride and a canyon painted with modern pictographs.
Little Packsaddle Campground has a day-use picnic area, four overnight campsites, parking and restrooms. There is no fee to use this facility, which includes trails established by the Youth Conservation Corps some years ago.
Windy Point Campground lies some two miles beyond Packsaddle. It is constructed on a promontory with a spreading view of valleys and mountains. A loop through the trees connects ten campsites. Other facilities are similar to those at Packsaddle. There is a $2 per night fee for campsite use at Windy Point.
Since neither of these campgrounds has water available, campers must bring their own. Plan on at least 5 gallons per person per day for drinking and camp use. Horsemen should plan on at least 10 gallons per day for each animal.
Bringing firewood from home and using a camp stove is always good policy when camping out in desert regions. There is not enough vegetation for anyone to burn up desert shrubs and trees for campfires. Naturally, be very careful of any open flames, including smokes, as range fires are always a danger.
Both of these little campgrounds are open year-round, but spring and fall are their best seasons. No reservations are taken. Since these sites are locally popular, plan for an early arrival on weekends or holidays, or try to have your outing midweek.
Adjacent to the area reached by the Big Wash Road is a wilderness area topped by Mount Tipton, the highest peak in the Cerbat Range. This relatively remote and untouched region was set aside by the Arizona Desert Wilderness Act a few years ago. The road up to the campgrounds roughly marks the southern border of the 30,760-acre wilderness area. The wilderness area will remain roadless, although future plans include the development of a few trails.
For information about the wilderness area and the facilities in the Cerbats, contact the BLM at (520) 757-3161. There are maps, brochures and other informational materials covering this interesting and scenic area. You could also stop by the BLM offices in Kingman if you are there during weekday office hours.
|
|
