Trail-head on Verde Campus; 200 miles of new trail being developed; courses may be created around it
Recall that in June 2017 Verde Campus Executive Dean Dr. James Perey first reported that the Verde Campus in Clarkdale may establish a trail head for what was described as “the West Mingus Avenue trail.” At the time it was described as 22 miles of possibly 122 miles of new trails being proposed by the Prescott National Forest. If approved, the total project will take at least five and possibly up to ten years to complete. This is according to Prescott National Forest Verde Ranger District Recreation Program Director Thomas Palmer. Much depends on funding and public input.
Initial public hearings were held May 24 (Camp Verde) and May 25 (Verde Campus). There was an environmental assessment completed by the end of September 2017. A final public hearing on the 22-mile trail system connecting the trail to the Verde Campus property was held in February 2018. The project was approved.
The trail will be maintained by volunteers, according to the Forest Service.
A little over a year later, September 2018, Executive Dean Perey, updated the Governing Board on the progress being made on the project. He described it as now being a 200 mile trail system with the trailhead located on the Verde Campus. (He explained the trailhead location during a Blog interview following his presentation.)
Dean Perey told the Board in September that the new trail was currently being mapped and improved. He also told the Board that the trail had community and educational benefits. For example, community members can use the trail for exercise and the College can develop courses around it such as trail maintenance and a 2+2 natural resources program.
You may view Dean Perey’s report to the Board on this project in the video below.