KINGMAN – The Arizona State Parks Board and the city of Kingman are partnering with the American Conservation Experience (ACE) to do the trail construction.
The Arizona State Parks Board voted unanimously to approve a $99,000 grant for Kingman earlier this year to complete the downtown trail connector portion of the White Cliffs Wagon Wheel Trail (WCWW). City officials are asking visitors to the area to please refrain from hiking on the incomplete trail expansion areas. The project could be complete in roughly six months, barring any weather delays.
Kingman Mayor Ken Watkins said, “The Arizona State Parks Board has continually recognized the value of our community’s trails system with their continued support. This addition improves livability within our city and enhances tourism.” Kingman City Manager Ron Foggin said, “Parks and Recreation Director Mike Meersman and his team’s dedication have led to large expansions of this trail that attract people from not only our city, but regionally as well.”
WCWW Phase 2 construction is exceedingly rocky, and while the proposed trail alignments often use existing bedrock that is suitable for trail tread, connecting native soil to bedrock as the trails change elevation will require rock structures to ensure sustainability. Construction on the project is also grant-funded through the Arizona State Parks Board for $162,000. Phase 1 construction was finished in May 2021of a total of about $60,000 with a state-funded $30,000 grant addition.
The new trails will gain elevation to two separate mesas, one to the north East and one to the South of the Wagon Trail. The new “Upper Trails” will connect atop the East and West mesas that are divided by a roadbed. The roadbeds are a destination in their own right and provide dramatic views of the Hualapai Mountains, East Kingman, Cerbat Cliffs golf course and downtown Kingman. The city will also install two message board signs with current mapping at each trailhead end – downtown and uptown, Foggin explained.
The .8-mile Connector Trail will link the Kingman Downtown area to the White Cliffs Wagon Trail Phase 2 that is in the works. The trail will connect at the north end of 3rd Street near downtown Kingman and connect to the Uptown area near the Cerbat Cliffs golf course. This trail will link the downtown Kingman area to our uptown area, he said.
