Looking for 3 day backpacking trip away from fire

[johnny88]

Hi everyone,

I was planning to do a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip with my dog this weekend along part of the Highline Trail in Tonto National Forest and the Babe Haught Trail, but due to the recent closure of that section of Tonto, I don't think it will be possible. Combine that with the closing of Coronado National Forest and I'm all out of my normal hiking trails! Are there any routes I could take that would be around 18 to 30 miles round trip, have filterable water sources along the way, and wouldn't be too hot? I'd be willing to drive about 5 hours from Tucson, so I hope I'm not asking too much.

I was thinking of doing the Cabin Loop in Coconino, but am unsure about water sources and about its proximity to the closed section of Tonto. Any other ideas?

[kingsnake]

I'd recommend Aravaipa, but you gotta buy a permit well ahead of time as they go fast. If you want to plan one for later this summer, go here: https://www.blm.gov/az/aravaipa/

[kingsnake]

whoa, just checked that out and they actually have slots open this weekend! wow, usually weekend slots go a couple months ahead of time ...

[chumley]

The Cabin Loop is not affected by the closed sections of the Tonto. There are periodic water sources that should be no problem for a backpacking trip. Check the spring reports here on HAZ for more info.

Other options would be the Sierra Ancha ... Workman/Reynolds Creeks and Aztec Peak area comes to mind. Hellsgate Wilderness is open, as are the Mazzies west of 87, but may be too warm now. There might be something you can string together in the Pinal Mtns near Globe too. Areas of the Bradshaws and Prescott NF may also be worth investigating.

[azbackpackr]

I, too, have been contemplating the Bradshaws. I know nothing about them.

[Tough_Boots]

If you do the Cabin Loop, the east side has some water right now. On the U-Bar you can rely on Barbershop Canyon, Dane Spring, and Yeager Canyon (if you take a detour to check out Buck Springs cabin). I don't know about the other trails right now, though.

[Tough_Boots]

from yesterday:

Barbershop Cyn: http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=197457
Dane Spring: http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=197463
Yeager Cyn: http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=197466

[johnny88]

Thanks for the suggestions every body. I'd love to do Aravaipa but I can't take my pup in there.

The Sierra Anchas look like a good option though. I'll have to look through some topos and trip reports to see if I can string together a good trip that includes water. I've never been there before so every trail would be completely new to me. It seems like I might be able to connect the Rim Trail, Aztec Peak, and Reynolds Creek Trail and maybe even a side trip to Devil's Chasm or Moody Point? So many options, maybe I should just do an overnight or car camping trip there to get a better feel for the place.

Thanks for the info on the Cabin Loop. It looks like it might be best to go Houston Brother's Trail - Barberhsop Trail - U Bar Trail. That photo set really helped out. I was hoping to include the Fred Haught and General Crook Rim Trails but from previous photosets in June, the area looks pretty dry.

[chumley]

There will be water along the southern half of Fred Haught. It's quite reliable until the AZT splits off toward the northwest. The General Crook Rim Trail is basically non-existant and you will end up hiking on FR300, which is absolutely not recommended if you want to enjoy yourself.

There are four springs along a 3-mile section of the Houston Bros that I've never seen dry. The first (up-canyon, farthest south) unnamed spring is more of a seep, but pools filterable water. McFarland, Aspen, and Pinchot are all pretty reliable springs that come from little caves/overhangs in the rocky hillside.

[johnny88]

Alright, well I think I'm going to do the Cabin Loop. It's too bad the General Crook Rim trail isn't nicer to hike. I'll try to keep track of the springs I encounter and figure out how to make a spring report when I get back.

[Tough_Boots]

The General Crook Rim Trail is basically non-existant and you will end up hiking on FR300

Sounds familiar for some reason! I heard there's some weirdo that drives back and forth on that segment of 300 with a truck full of firewood just to harass hikers.

[joebartels]

I'll try to keep track of the springs I encounter and figure out how to make a spring report when I get back.

In the upper right hand corner of the Cabin Loop page you will see...

Print Full | Basic

Since this page includes an Official Route it will automatically include a spring sheet to take notes.

This is what the spring sheet looks like

This is how you know an "Official Route" exists

You do not need a GPS for this, however it helps. When you go to post a triplog after the hike, there is a dedicated section at the bottom for spring reports.