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Cabin Loop Trail System
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Cabin Loop Trail System
The Cabin Loop Trail System is the link between the earliest fire guard cabin network in this area of the Mogollon Rim and has its roots in the beginning of the Forest Service era here. The trail was developed between the General Springs Cabin, Pinchot Cabin, and Buck Springs Fire Guard Station.
Administratively, the cabins were part of the Bly Ranger District, now the Blue Ridge Office of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. The Bly Ranger District had a winter administrative headquarters at the Old Bly Ranger Station located about 10 miles north of the present Blue Ridge Office. The summer headquarters for the Bly District was the Blue Ridge cabin near Rock Crossing Campground. These two cabins are no longer in existence.
The trail passes through some of the most spectacular country in Arizona and you will encounter a variety of landforms, vegetative communities, and a number of springs and perennial water sources. It is important to remember that trails such as those that make up the Cabin Loop Trail System provide the only access to the country in the early days. These and other trails were used and maintained by early Forest Rangers, ranchers and settlers. Livestock was driven up the Rim from the Tonto Basin and grazed during the summer up on the Rim. Portions of the trails are still used by ranchers for moving livestock. Historic accounts tell us that the old timers who made and used the trails blazed them to a height of 6 or 7 feet so the trails could be followed even after a deep snow. Maintenance and repair of the old telephone line was a priority for the rangers each spring. Their accounts indicate that snow lasted late here and it wasn't uncommon for them to have a ride over 4 foot drifts during spring rounds.
The Forest Service is proud of our history and we hope that you will enjoy your "walk into the past".
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Photos from this trail system [Flicker]
At a Glance
| Usage: | Medium |
|---|---|
| Closest Towns: | Happy Jack, AZ |
| Operated By: | Mogollon Rim District - 928-477-2255 |
General Information
General Notes:The Cabin Loop Trail is made up of the following five trails. See trail descriptions for access points and additional information about a particular leg of the loop:
- Houston Brothers Trail: Aspen Spring and Pinchot cabins
- Barbershop Trail: Buck Springs cabin
- U-Bar Trail: Dane Spring, Pinchot, and Buck Springs cabins
- Fred Haught Trail: Pinchot and General Springs cabins
- General Crook Trail: General Springs cabin, Mogollon Rim views
The Arizona Trail Blue Ridge Passage 28 follows Fred Haught Trail from General Springs Cabin north for approximately 3 miles. It splits off near the confluence of Fred Haught and General Springs Canyons to head north over Battleground Ridge and passing near Battle of Big Dry Wash Historical Monument before crossing Clear Creek just west of CC Cragin (Blue Ridge) Reservoir.
Directions:
Click thumbnail map for a larger view.
Activities
Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:With plentiful access points from the noted trailheads and other locations, the Cabin Loop Trail System offers ample day hiking opportunities.
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:The Cabin Loop Trail System offers a number of possible overnight or multi-day loops, shuttles, and in-and-out backpacking trips, particularly if combined with General Crook Trail along the Mogollon Rim.
