Let’s hike warm day on Monolith Garden Loop at Cerbat Foothills. Located near the infamous Route 66 in Kingman, it’s a beautiful desert hike with many miles of open space.
Updated: August 2026
Table of Contents
Basic Trail Information for Monolith Garden Loop
Note: This trail guide is a portion of the Monolith Garden loop. It started at the Metwell Spur meeting with Monolith Garden then takes the Powerline Connector, then continues the MG loop and back down Metwell Spur to the parking area. It’s about 3.5 miles. To hike the whole Monolith Garden Loop from the same parking lot would be about 8.6 miles.
- Trail Name: Metwell Spur, Monolith Garden and Powerline Connector
- Location: Kingman, Arizona
- Length: 3.5 miles
- Elevation: 3400 – 3700 feet
- Difficulty: moderate
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Elevation Gain: 308 feet
- Type of Trail: loop
- Who I Recommend this to: most hikers
- What season did I go: spring
- Gear Recommendations: sun umbrella, lots of water, sun block
- Cell service: yes
- Water availability: no
- Special Requirements: none, parking is free, no permits needed
- Must see feature: rock formations
Location of Cerbat Foothills Recreation
My Trail Report and Experience on Monolith Garden Trail Loop
NOTE: this trail is located in the desert and is highly advised to NEVER hike in the summer months. Temperatures and sun exposure here can easily exceed what a human body should not endure. This hike was done in early morning and in spring.
Please also be aware of rattle snakes when temps reach between 70°F and 90°F. If you see one, they generally don’t chase, simply back away and the snake should leave.
Tucked in between Interstate 40 and Arizona SR 93 is a beautiful desert place to hike called Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area. There are 11,300 acres of land out there with scenic views, desert wildlife and hiking trails for most levels of hiker.
Just a hop, skip and a jump from scenic Route 66 area in Kingman you can visit this desert land to enjoy a little quiet trail time.
I discovered this park when I first moved to the North West corner of Arizona. Recently moved from California, I was craving some hiking in a bad way! I opened my Alltrails app, searched for area hikes and planned to head out that Friday morning. That was January 2020.
It had been a few months since being out to Cerbat Foothills. I began a thru-hike of the AZT March 2020 yet when the stay at home requests were placed due to Covid-19 my thru-hike as well as much of my hiking stopped. I waited to venture out until Arizona started to open back up again.
Heading out that Friday morning in May 2020 I was a bit anxious, was the parking lot going to be full? Will I have to turn around if it is? With Covid-19 playing a vital role in our everyday life I had to take in consideration crowded trails. It was happening elsewhere why not here?
It happened to be almost empty- just 2 other cars.
I was good to go! HIKE ON!
Donning my very useful yet not so flattering desert attire of REI Bermuda style shorts, ankle high Darn Tough socks, a sun hat, my favorite Buff, bright blue Brook’s Trail Runners and an almost glowing orange tank top, the sunblock rounded out the fact that I smelled like I meant to do some serious hiking that day. (I wasn’t, it was beginning to get hot in the region so a quick 3.5 miles in the early morning was all I spared.)
The hike started with a rise in elevation, yet not much. Thereafter depending on the trail you choose you can hit the flat terrain or rocky hills. Today I decided to take it easy and enjoy a slow morning with slight hills and some flat regions.
As I walked I was thankful for my wide brimmed hat. Though it was only hitting 80 F that morning the sun bakes down on you, there is little shade here. I hiked 3.5 miles, any longer and my long sleeve shirt would have been essential as well.
At about mile 2.5 I stopped at the foot of a small cliff, it was the first shade I came across. I grabbed water and an energy bar for a snack. As I sat I realized something – since it became quiet and nobody else was about, the birds came out. Not just a few – 100’s!
A male Gambel’s Quail began his song about 50 yards in front of me at the top of a branch of a small tree. I could hear a mourning dove behind me to my right. Small birds fluttered about on the ground and in the bushes. They could have been finch or wren, I’m not sure. The birds reminded me of how much wildlife exists in this harsh area.
But wait there’s more….
I finished my snack, sat a bit to take in the songs and chatter yet realized I had to get going, the heat was coming. Following the trail back for the last mile I had the pleasure of crossing paths with a DESERT TORTOISE!
I came around a slight bend, cleared a bush and saw the creature! I know I startled it a bit since it was literally frozen. Giving it a wide berth I walked around it. Once I stopped moving, like the birds, the animal “came alive”, it started to walk ever so slowly across the trail.
I took some photos and video all the time giving it room to feel comfortable to move. I waited until it cleared the trail, this is also a popular mountain bike trail and I figured I’d be there just in case someone raced up on us. Thanking the tortoise for this amazing opportunity of a lifetime I turned and walked away.
Just a bit later I was at my car, happiest hiker on earth! I was privileged enough to take witness to this elusive residents of the desert!
I love this park! Sure Arizona has some beautiful scenery, but to have such rocky cliffs towering above you as well as hidden canyons here and there near home is a treat! I feel I never have to go far for beautiful scenery.
Resources for this Trail
- Cerbat Foothills Rec Area – most up to date info
- Alltrails Cerbat Foothills Trails – I highly suggest #4 Monolith Garden Loop
- Watch me hike the Monolith Garden Loop (and announce my AZT Thru Hike)
- Please Leave No Trace when enjoying the outdoors
What To Do In the Area Before or After Your Hike
- Head over to historic Route 66
- Grab a cheeseburger at the regionally local favorite of In & Out Burger in Kingman
FAQs for Monolith Garden Loop at Cerbat Foothills
They certainly are. It is best to leash your dog if it is unfamiliar with the desert and/or does not have great recall. Cactus and rattlesnakes are prevalent here and can both harm a curious dog.
No. Please bring at least 1-2 liters for this hike of 3.5 miles. More if you plan to stay out longer. It’s also advised to keep a gallon or 2 in your vehicle anytime you are in the desert and for after your hike.
There are 2 parking lots for hiking and mountain bikers located at Cerbat on the south end, which are strictly for day use only. At one time overnight parking was allowed at the lot along highway 93, aka Coyote Pass Trailhead, yet that was discontinued.
Yes, they are located at the Coyote Pass Trailhead.
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Hi, I’m Allie, obsessed hiker, explorer of our world and reinventor of my life in my 50s.
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