Scenic Cornville trail system gets improvements

Spanning the space northeast of the Verde River between Bridgeport and Cornville is a system of trails that just got a shot in the arm.

Although the trails have been around for awhile, a recent influx of grant dollars has helped fund new trailheads, signs and fresh trail construction.

The Cornville Non-Motorized Trails project is being coordinated by Yavapai County and the Cornville Community Association in partnership with the Forest Service. The goal is to establish a 12mile network of routes to link the two towns. The work-in-progress is coming together quickly and trails are open to hiking, biking and equestrian use.

The trails between Zalesky and Tissaw roads are mostly complete, signed and easy to follow. This segment of the system is anchored by the Backbone Trail, which passes through wash-riddled high desert with views of Jerome and Mingus Mountain to the west and Sedona to the north.

Two loops — Zalesky and Side Oats — attach to Backbone making for roughly 6 to 7 miles of hiking between the two trailheads.

The single-track dirt and sand paths brush by subdivisions, farm houses and plenty of open country with limestone escarpments and a smattering of juniper trees dotting grassy plains. This exposed landscape hosts a plethora of blooming plants including cliff-rose, crucifixion