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Hey guys I'm looking to do my second backpacking trip. Last year I did 2 nights in the superstitions, this time I'm looking to head up north (if it's not on fire). I'm new to az and could use some suggestions for good areas near payson or prescott. I was thinking about maybe the cabin loop in payson. Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated!

@jscan The [ Cabin Loop - Mogollon Rim ] Trail options are a good choice this time of year if you are up for that many miles and enjoy some trail navigation.

@Grasshopper
My last trip I logged 27miles. I believe the cabin loop is 25? Still trying to decide if i want to do that many miles this trip or just do a few and stick near a lake to fish.

@jscan

Given that you can drive to nearly every lake in the state, you'd have to artificially inflate the distance for your backpacking to a lake weekend idea by just starting from further away. For example:
[ Babe Haught Trail - Hatchery to Knoll Lake ]

@jscan
You can easily access Blue Ridge Reservoir (CC Cragin), from the cabin loop via Rock Crossing C trail. Rainbow trout are stocked and the fishing is good right now. There are lots of lakeside campsites in the area.

Ah I was looking to do this as a beginner backpack too, starting at general springs and going clockwise around.

Is there water at the springs still?

@richvosko
I thought I had responded earlier, sorry. There was plenty of water as of three weeks ago. For a first timer, I'd suggest GPS rather than simply maps. It's not uncommon for people to get turned around on the Cabin Loop due to numerous road crossings. I encountered two groups lost during my last trip. Finally, the bypass at the washout of FR95 is doable.

@desertadapted @richvosko For GPS, I would recommend Route Scout, available right here on this Website and brought to you by...the guy that built this Website. You can import and export Routes right from HAZ, do editing here, maybe post here so you can share you adventures with us....

I had started mapping out a route on the cabin loop but after looking into @almal suggestion I fell in love with Blue Ridge. It's beautiful. I was looking for fishing videos and found videos of people kayaking and camping and was sold haha. One of my co-workers offered to let me borrow a kayak and my plans shifted quick haha. I have never done a trip like that so I'm really interested in it.

I was torn between an awesome trip with miles put in or just enjoying some quiet solo time relaxing. Talking to the wife she helped me decide I should go the kayak route. she is going back home to Iowa with our 2yr old for a week, so we agreed I should just chill and enjoy my last shot at quiet time for a while haha. Im looking forward to spending some time on the water. Hopefully I can find a nice quiet spot to set up camp for a couple days. I'm off thursday-saturday.

Tonto NF closed ...

@cactuscat
the cabin loop is in the Coconino Forest...up on the Rim is either in Coconino or Apache-Sitgreaves

@DixieFlyer
Oh, ok got it.
They'll probably close next - but maybe not before the weekend.

@jscan
Blue Ridge is magnificent for kayak camping, I was just up there a few weekends ago. It was as packed as ever I have seen it and took a while to find a camp spot. Don't be surprised if you have to paddle at least 3-4 miles to get a spot but all are wonderful. The east/south branch from the dock offers more camping possibilities.

@jscan
If you can still paddle all the way to Bear Canyon, you'll pass numerous peninsula camps with perfectly spaced hammock trees.

@ALMAL
We ended up with a spot right before bear canyon. Plenty of nice hammock spots for me to choose from, and a good bit of flat ground for my friends with a tent.

@The_Dude
Sure... where's the pic?

@ALMAL
Sorry, been a bit behind posting, work has been busy. I will hopefully get a photo set up in the next couple of days.