Houston Bros Tr Loop via U-Bar Tr-FR139G • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

McFarland Spring - Mogollon Rim

Payson, AZ

Mtn Biking		Jul 08 2022
		ALMAL • Triplogs 222

Mtn Biking	37.00 Miles	1 AEG

Mtn Biking	37.00 Miles
	1 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Cabin Loop - Mogollon Rim

Partners

none

no partners

Started near 218&300 intersection on Friday 5PM, riding all the way to McFarland spring campsite. Very quiet night and morning. Biked on down towards Pinchot and passed some campers at Aspen spring. Rode out 139A towards the lake and explored some. Then headed back to Pinchot for more water and up 139G to 139 back to 300. Lost my sandals along here somewhere, must have bounced loose from my seat pack. Very dusty heading back on the rim road. Got a few welcomed sprinkles on the way back.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] McFarland Spring

_____________________

You aren't late if you don't show up!

May 28 2021

ddgrunning

Guides 3
Routes 632
Photos 8,235
Triplogs 604

54 male

Joined Apr 13 2011
Gilbert, AZ

Cabin Loop - Mogollon Rim

Payson, AZ

Hiking		May 28 2021
		ddgrunning • Triplogs 604

Hiking	26.78 Miles	5,881 AEG

Hiking	26.78 Miles	1 Day 4 Hrs 28 Mns
	5,881 ft AEG

Linked

linked

Barbershop Trail #91

U - Bar Trail #28

Partners

none

no partners

My youngest daughter graduated from high school on Thursday and wanted to celebrate with an overnight backpacking trip.

She picked out the Cabin Loop, which is an area that has long been on my radar, but hadn't quite made it to the top of the list.

With some help from the HAZ forum (thanks!), we mapped out a tentative itinerary for the eastern loop. We changed our minds several times about starting location, but ultimately settled on starting from Buck Springs cabins. We were happy with our choice. On the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, we were the only ones at the TH and enjoyed an amazing amount of solitude.

We took Barbershop over to the U-Bar trail and then started a counterclockwise loop. Didn't see a soul until we reached Pinchot Cabin, where one group was setting up camp and we were passed by a few vehicles.

From there, we decided to take a side excursion up to the southern leg of CC Cragin Reservoir to make our camp. Total solitude all along that path and at our campsite overlooking the dregs of the reservoir, which in that area has been reduces to spotty pools. While we were hoping for a more scenic view of the lake, it was still a nice spot and we enjoyed the evening.

The following morning, we packed up, retraced our steps to Pinchot, and then continued the loop down Houston Brothers. We stopped for an early lunch at Aspen Spring and really enjoyed this area, with the cabin remains, and beautify meadow. I can see why this would be a popular camping area. One of our favorite sections of the loop. We hung up the hammock and relaxed for a while before continuing on.

After Aspen Spring, we enjoyed the continuous meadows and stream/springs along HB, which then gave way to a very nice, canopy-covered fir forest.

By the time we were approaching the HB-Barbershop junction, we were ready to be done, but still had about 5 miles of hiking to go. We grinded it out! Thankfully, the scenery kept us distracted from the tired legs, with 27 miles and a Grand Canyon's worth of elevation gain.

Arriving back at Buck Springs, we were still the only ones there and no other entries in the register. As we drove out, FR 300 was more of the expected crowd of Memorial Day weekend traffic.

Got back to the valley around 6:30 pm and hit the hay early ....

Great trip and more priceless memories with my daughter!

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Horned Lizard

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Aspen Spring Houston Draw

	Aspen Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	flowing nicely

Dane Spring

Quart per minute

	Pinchot Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Didn't check out the source, but plenty of water in the creekbed

_____________________

Jun 13 2019

Grasshopper

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

79 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Houston Brothers Trail - Aspen Spring Access

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Jun 13 2019
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

Hiking	3.50 Miles	335 AEG

Hiking	3.50 Miles	2 Hrs 25 Mns	1.68 mph
	335 ft AEG	20 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Bear Canyon (Middle) - Mogollon Rim

Partners

partners

Oregon_Hiker

On my recent 6nt/7day Mogollon Rim- Camping/Hiking trip (6/12 to 6/18), for my first full day outing this was Oregon_Hiker and my first planned hike stop of three to check out the perennial status of local springs in this area.

This short loop hike takes the back way into the scenic, historic, Aspen Spring meadow area, perennial Aspen Spring, and the historic Aspen Spring Guard Cabin complex, then north onto the Houston Brothers Trail #171 to perennial Pinchot Spring and on to the historic Pinchot Guard Cabin area connecting with the U-Bar Trail #28 back to FR139G to complete the loop.

This was my 3rd time to hike this very pleasant, short loop, and this visit with the most lush greenery and water flowing from perennial Aspen Spring, perennial Pichot Spring, and within Houston Draw drainage.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Western Wallflower

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Aspen Spring Houston Draw Pinchot Spring

Aspen Spring

Quart per minute

Pinchot Spring

Quart per minute

_____________________

(Outside.. "there is No Place Like It!!")

1 archive

Jul 09 2015

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,760

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Bear Canyon - Houston Draw Loop, AZ

Hiking		Jul 09 2015
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	13.88 Miles	2,000 AEG

Hiking	13.88 Miles	7 Hrs 35 Mns		2.10 mph
	2,000 ft AEG	58 Mns Break	15 LBS Pack

Linked

6 linked trail guides

Fred Haught Trail #141

Houston Bros Trail #171 / McFarland Spr Loop

Bear Canyon (Upper) - Mogollon Rim

Partners

partners

Tough_Boots

Kyle invited me for a walk in one of his favorite areas. Do I want to spend the day at 106 or 76 degrees. Duh.

We dropped into Bear Canyon off of FR95 at FR9737M (as depicted on the TOPO maps) There was actually a Forrest Service sign for this road, but no road. We picked a pretty good route just making our way down the side of the canyon.

The Bear Canyon drainage was flowing pretty good the entire length we were in it. It was green, green, green! You can find game trails to navigate most of the way, but still need to cross over the drainage many times. It's easy making your way down there, but slow going.

We crested a bit of a rise in the drainage, to a small grassy meadow. We were both surprised to stumble on a huge Bull Elk, still in velvet, feeding in the grass, not more than 50' away. He was gone before I could get the camera going.

We only had one spot where we had to go up to avoid a swimmer. Would have been a good swim if it was warmer.

Out of the drainage and on our way to Pinchot Cabin, it started to rain lightly. Perfect timing as we'd planned to stop at the cabin for lunch anyway. It rained and thundered while we ate lunch under the awning of the cabin. It was actually a bit cold.

On the Houston Brothers trail we made up some time.

We dropped into East Bear Canyon following a side canyon down. The Elk have made a decent path to the hill. A few more miles in the canyon and I was ready for the climb out.

A pretty hike, in great temps. Lots of tiny strawberries along the entire hike. Lilly did great on the hike. Even all the off trail stuff. Thanks for the hike and driving Kyle.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Dog

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Unknown VV Triangle Marker

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Aspen Spring

Wildflowers Observation Light

	Aspen Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Plenty to filter

	East Bear Canyon	Light flow	Light flow
	Plenty to filter

	Houston Draw Head	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Plenty to filter

	McFarland Spring	Dry	Dry
	Did not get off trail to check it, but plenty of water in the area

	Pinchot Spring	Dry	Dry
	Did not get off trail to check it, but there was plenty of water in the area

	West Bear Canyon	Medium flow	Medium flow
	Plenty to filter

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

Jul 14 2012

Grasshopper

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

79 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Houston Brothers Trail to Aspen Spring

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 14 2012
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

Hiking	3.50 Miles	335 AEG

Hiking	3.50 Miles	2 Hrs 18 Mns	1.94 mph
	335 ft AEG	30 Mns Break

Linked

linked

U - Bar Trail #28

Partners

partners

Oregon_Hiker

After an early Saturday morning Monsoon lingering rain shower, Larry, his son-in-law, and I planned a late morning hike start.

This was Larry's first visit to our Mogollon Rim- Cabin Loop area trails and I thought it an excellent idea to first introduce he and his son-in-law to one of the more popular and historic areas. This planned, short loop hike takes the back way into the scenic, historic, Aspen Spring meadow area, perennial Aspen Spring, and the Aspen Spring Guard Cabin complex, then north onto the Houston Brothers Trail to perennial Pinchot Spring and on to the historic Pinchot Guard Cabin area before connecting with the U-Bar TR#28 to FR139G to complete the loop.

This loop hike turned-out to be very enjoyable with cooler temps and with the wetness of the days Monsoon rain just enhancing the peacefulness and beauty of this area

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Aspen Spring Pinchot Spring

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

	Aspen Spring	Gallon per minute	Gallon per minute
	Perennial.. this day maybe a little less than a gallon/minute;

	Pinchot Spring	Gallon per minute	Gallon per minute
	Perennial Spring;

_____________________

(Outside.. "there is No Place Like It!!")

Jul 14 2012

Oregon_Hiker

Guides 9
Routes 473
Photos 8,433
Triplogs 626

79 male

Joined Dec 07 2010
Phoenix, AZ

Payson, AZ

Hiking		Jul 14 2012
		Oregon_Hiker • Triplogs 626

Hiking	3.50 Miles	335 AEG

Hiking	3.50 Miles
	335 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

Grasshopper

Hiked a shortened loop from FR139g to Aspen Springs, then down the Houston Brother's Trail to the Pinchot cabins then back on the U-Bar trail and 139g. Grasshopper (Hank) led the way with myself and son-in-law Lloyd following. It was raining for part of the hike but the cooler temps and rain freshened air were a treat. The low light made for lousy pics with my camera - either I'm using the wrong settings or the 12X zoom lens on a small pocket sized camera just can't get enough light under these conditions. I suspect the latter.

We stopped for lunch on the porch of the Pinchot Cabin and then continued the loop back to our car, then back to our camps at the Camp Grasshopper complex on FR 139C.

I have unsuccessfully tried to find some historical photos of the cabin at Aspen Springs which no longer exists - only the fireplace and chimney remain. The size and grandeur of that fireplace made me curious as to what the cabin looked like and about the inhabitants. The domestic Iris planted around the fireplace indicates a woman's influence. These factors make me think it was more than just a FS fire guard station.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Pinchot Spring

_____________________

Jun 28 2009

Grasshopper

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

79 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ