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My wife and I are going backpacking for the first time. We were thinking of going along Cave Creek, but it sounds like the storms messed that area up pretty good. So we thought we'd go in on the Ballantine from the trailhead off Highway 87 for 4-5 miles, around the Rock Creek area, overnight, and then come back out. Seemed like a decent overnight trip for our first backpack. Probably going this next weekend. Any advice/input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

just there. water is plentiful. stayed at the ballantine cabin. good times!

Thanks for the info. How do you get to the Ballantine cabin from the main trail? We might want to do a side trip while we're out there.

Also, what is there to see at the cabin? I assume it's just ruins.

Route http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?GPS=7284

Cabin http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=86825

Tons of information http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=945

we stayed at the cabin/corral since it looked like a nice spot from the top of the hill.. and when we got there, the absense of cowpies and such was a delight. Of course, one would expect sign of cattle and horse all over the place, but in reality there was very little to none. Frankly, it was the only area along our 5 mile route that was flat enough for all the campers. I myself hung inside the cabin, from the supporting wall studs.
The area is nice enough, a good workout for backpacking but not too strenuous. I did take a fall on some of the loose granite scree and busted one of my graphite hiking poles clean in half.. a bit miffed but i'll live.
on the saddle at 33.770 -111.452 you will see a sign on the ground and trails heading north and south. I do not know where the south-bearing trail goes but it looks well travelled. Go north, about 1/2 mile to the cabin that sits in a valley with boulder piles on all sides. We awoke to snow dusting the upper hillsides.

Was there any water near the cabin when you stayed there? We're debating staying near the cabin. Thanks all for the info.