Apache Cabin, NM

June 2024
Glenwood Ranger District reports Apache Cabin is unburned despite fires of the past.


Overview
Apache Cabin is a small rustic cabin perched on a hillside used by forest service trail crews. It is far from civilization and located at intersections of trails that reach deep into the interior of the Gila Wilderness. These intersections allow you to approach it from several different directions. The two most common are up from Redstone Park and the Crest Trail from Sandy Point. I chose the easiest way in via the Crest trail.Hike
The trailhead is located at Sandy Point camping area on Barsum Road, a large flat "sandy" area with a regulation concrete forest service toilet. There is no water at Sandy Point. The trail leaves out of the eastern edge of the road and begins a slow climb up to the ridge through dark dense forest. It follows the north side of the ridge passing Bead Spring and then at about two miles a recent plane crash site. A compact area of twisted aluminum that does not look good for the pilot. The trail at this point is in good shape and oscillates and continues to gain altitude for the next 4 miles then opens up with commanding views of Center Baldy and the ridge line you will follow to the south to Apache Cabin.

The trail then drops down into Hummingbird Saddle with a clear area and several great campsites. Hummingbird Spring is located about a quarter mile down the hummingbird trail to the south of the saddle. The crest trail leaves the saddle in the northeast corner and heads downhill and undulates around the north side of Center Baldy Peak, passing the Iron Creek trail to the north and then up the ridge line for about a mile to the intersection of the Apache Cabin trial. The Holt-Apache trail heads South and follows the ridge line. This part of the trail is less traveled but very obvious with a few more downed trees. As you get closer to the cabin a few spots open up to allow views of Mogollon Peak and the valley below. The cabin is just past Apache Spring in a wide spot in the trail. Flat areas are a premium around the cabin. Even the outhouse has a lean to it. The cabin itself is open and has canned goods, a few bed springs, and a wood stove with firewood. It is clean and only inhabited by one large friendly rat. Flat ground is at a premium around the cabin for tent sites. Please leave it as clean as you found it.

2011-09-17 BrettVet