Houston Brothers Trail - Aspen Spring Access, AZ

Overview
A highly recommended access "shortcut" TH Parking and Hiking Route to connect with the historic Cabin Loop - Houston Brothers Trail #171 at the original site of the Aspen Fire Cabin Complex and perennial Aspen Spring. Day Hiking or overnight Backpack access is via a short, scenic, and family-friendly 0.5 mile "one way" hike on now closed to vehicle traffic but signed FR9738N. TH Parking (for 1 to 3 vehicles maximum) and TH Start begins from this easily missed intersection of FR139G/FR9738N (at waypoint coordinates 34.492092 -111.188192).


History
The Houston brothers were ranchers who used this connector Trail #171 for moving livestock from one part of their range to another. The Forest Service used the Aspen Spring Fire Cabin Complex adjacent to this trail #171 to move fire guards into several isolated forest cabins such as the remnants of this one at perennial Aspen Spring where they were on twenty-four-hour duty during times of high fire danger. Evidence of both of these pages out of the trail and area history is visible at several locations along the Cabin Loop - Mogollon Rim trail system which provides an opportunity for Coconino National Forest visitors to relive an aspect of Forest history while they enjoy the area's natural beauty.Hike
Day Hiking or overnight Backpack access to connect with Cabin Loop - Houston Brothers Trail #171 is via a short, scenic, and family-friendly 0.5 mile "one way" hike.

Water Sources
Perennial Aspen Spring and perennial spring-fed Houston Draw/Creek

Camping
This large area of Quaking Aspen, Pine, and Oak shaded "Aspen Fire Cabin Complex" with adjacent, perennial "Aspen Spring" is one of the most popular and scenic overnight backpack camp locations within the entire Cabin Loop trail system.

2013-06-25 Grasshopper