Monolith Garden Lasso Loop, AZ

Overview
Just north of Kingman, Arizona is a beautiful desert landscape which proved to be worthy of a joint venture by the City of Kingman, the BLM, and the Arizona State Trail System. The investment in developing a series of multi-use trails results in a unique pay off for those willing to look outside the box of well-known trails. The area is now known collectively as the Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area. All the elements are here for a beautiful family-friendly desert garden hike, a great place to take a time out on the way to or from Las Vegas.


Hike
The trailhead has a restroom but no water available. Starting in a westerly direction, head towards the mountain on the old access road. A mine is visible almost immediately in that mountain, which is not visible from the highway. This is inviting and certainly needs exploration. What a suitable shelter if the need ever arose. In continuing around the mountain, a gate discourages any motor vehicles. It is equipped with an animal and pedestrian walk-thru. The landscape ahead will undoubtedly remind you of Monument Valley on a small scale.The first intersection is marked clearly as a trail, going in either direction. Documented here in a clockwise direction, you will later see a series of loops of varying lengths. They are all marked as trail so pay attention to where you came. The hike offers total isolation from the busy highways east and south of this canyon, and there is no sign of civilization. Towering rock formations are all around, and the scenery is straight out of an old western movie. The trail is a single track. It would certainly present a great beginner mountain bike experience. Upon reaching the next intersection, there is a bench if you wish to relax and take it all in. Proceed to the right for a quarter-mile where another intersection appears. Taking another right will bring you back to where you started. The trail in and around the volcanic fields and rock outcroppings is surprisingly smooth. It will likely have you stopping to take advantage of different light conditions for potentially spectacular photos.

2009-04-30 AZLOT69