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Fairbank Loop Trail - 2 members in 8 triplogs have rated this an average 2.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
8 triplogs
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Sep 05 2025
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 263
 Photos 876
 Triplogs 267

51 male
 Joined Mar 24 2021
 Tucson, AZ
Fairbank Loop TrailTucson, AZ
Fairbank Loop Trail
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 05 2025
Jackluminous • Triplogs 267
Hiking4.73 Miles 205 AEG
Hiking4.73 Miles   1 Hour   55 Mns   2.58 mph
205 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Another drive into the Dragoons to scout around, this time I had Keith along. He’d never been to Fairbank but had always wanted to see it, so we stopped by on the way.

The schoolhouse was closed as some contractors were installing a minisplit AC. They didn’t mind us snooping around so we got to go in anyway.

We didn’t plan on a hike, but saw the signage for the loop trail so we grabbed our water and went for it. We took the spur to the cemetery and climbed around the old mill site.

The highlight was on the return leg along the river, where we saw a Gila monster. That alone made the whole trip worthwhile.

The signage said the loop hike was 3.7 miles, but RS logged 4.7 (including the spur), so the signs seem at least a half mile off. Consequently, we got back to the car a bit later. It was after noon and we were hungry, but I’d planned on cooking out of the car and the parking lot wasn’t what I had in mind. So we ate a couple bars and pressed on to Middlemarch Pass.

We took FR697 toward China Peak, which is a little rough and narrow but has really sweet views of Sheepshead. We stopped at an old mining camp for lunch and to hang out for a bit before heading home. Lunch was awesome and totally worth the wait.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Gila Monster
 
Apr 09 2021
avatar

 Guides 187
 Routes 990
 Photos 12,079
 Triplogs 865

72 male
 Joined Jun 27 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Fairbank Ghost Town, AZ 
Fairbank Ghost Town, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Apr 09 2021
markthurman53 • Triplogs 865
Hiking1.00 Miles 50 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles   5 Hrs      0.20 mph
50 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Fairbank Loop Trail
Partners partners
mamakatt22
On our return to Tucson after a stop in Gleeson and Tombstone we stopped in the Ghost Town of FairBank Arizona. I have hiked the trails here before but Ginny asked about the train from Tombstone and this was one of the stops it made. Walked to the San Pedro River which was flowing.
_____________________
 
Apr 04 2021
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 136
 Photos 22,415
 Triplogs 1,041

77 male
 Joined Feb 28 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Fairbank, AZ 
Fairbank, AZ
 
Walk / Tour avatar Apr 04 2021
rwstorm • Triplogs 1,041
Walk / Tour
Walk / Tour
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Fairbank Ghost Town River Walk
Fairbank Loop Trail
Partners none no partners
Just out for a drive to get out of town for awhile. Stopped here for a look around on a very warm day (97 degree max temperature at my house).
_____________________
 
Apr 30 2019
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 Guides 187
 Routes 990
 Photos 12,079
 Triplogs 865

72 male
 Joined Jun 27 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Fairbank ghost town loop, AZ 
Fairbank ghost town loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Apr 30 2019
markthurman53 • Triplogs 865
Hiking6.10 Miles 345 AEG
Hiking6.10 Miles   2 Hrs   30 Mns   2.84 mph
345 ft AEG      21 Mns Break15 LBS Pack
 
Linked   linked  
Fairbank Loop Trail
Partners none no partners
This was one of those "since I was in the area" hikes. wasn't expecting much but since I had never been here before I thought I would check it out. Turned out to be a real gem of a hike. a pleasant hike along the San Pedro River with with a splash (a big splash) of history, nice scenery and beautiful weather. The ghost town of Fairbank left me wanting more so when I got back I looked up more on it's history. The trail makes a 4.6 mile loop along the San Pedro River to Willow Wash and back along the east side of the flood plain. Side trips involved a visit to the cemetery on the hills above the flood plain, the old Grand Central Mill, a mine shaft and an old train bridge across the San Pedro. I also took a side trip down to and across the San Pedro to an old dam that was probably used in conjunction with the mill. All total the hike ended up being 6.1 miles. The boundary between riparian and desert fascinated me, the riparian ends abruptly once you step a foot or two above the flood plane and the desert begins, no gradual blending of the two together. This town was founded in 1881 when the train came through here and continued on until the last resident left when the post office left in the 1970's. The train was the nearest supply line to Tombstone 10 miles to the east. The history has a train robbery attempt, a flood of the San Pedro in the early 1900's that flooded the town and is the place where Wyatt Earp and his brother Virgil got on the train with the body of their other brother Morgan(killed at the OK corral incident) on their way to Los Angeles.

Great hike if you are in the area, hopefully in the winter or spring because it gets a bit warm here.
_____________________
 
Oct 25 2017
avatar

 Routes 85
 Photos 3,718
 Triplogs 486

female
 Joined Oct 15 2002
 Rimrock, Arizona
Fairbank Loop TrailTucson, AZ
Fairbank Loop Trail
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 25 2017
cactuscat • Triplogs 486
Hiking4.00 Miles 90 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles   2 Hrs      2.00 mph
90 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Nov 20 2016
avatar

 Photos 5
 Triplogs 1,041

36 female
 Joined Oct 04 2012
 Phoenix, AZ
Fairbank Loop TrailTucson, AZ
Fairbank Loop Trail
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 20 2016
WaitingForRain • Triplogs 1,041
Hiking2.40 Miles 90 AEG
Hiking2.40 Miles      45 Mns   3.20 mph
90 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
We didn't hike the whole way because we didn't have time, but I highly highly suggest checking out this area if you enjoy Arizona history. Fairbank is a really neat little ghost town maintained by the BLM, and the trail has some nice historic landmarks and some really lovely vistas.
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Mar 08 2015
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 Guides 177
 Routes 249
 Photos 10,213
 Triplogs 2,215

74 male
 Joined Feb 12 2002
 Gold Canyon, AZ
Fairbank Loop TrailTucson, AZ
Fairbank Loop Trail
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 08 2015
AZLOT69 • Triplogs 2,215
Hiking3.80 Miles 90 AEG
Hiking3.80 Miles
90 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
San Pedro Trail
Partners none no partners
Interesting Ghost Town area to check out in southeastern region. Big trees, no crowds.
_____________________
It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain
 
Jun 17 2012
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 136
 Photos 22,415
 Triplogs 1,041

77 male
 Joined Feb 28 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Fairbank, AZ 
Fairbank, AZ
 
Scenic Drive avatar Jun 17 2012
rwstorm • Triplogs 1,041
Scenic Drive
Scenic Drive
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Fairbank Loop Trail
Fairbank Ghost Town River Walk
Partners none no partners
Stopped in to look around on a hot Sunday afternoon. Hadn't been there in quite some time. Nice to see the restoration work done at the BLM administered site, and the full time caretaker presence. The last time I was here about a decade ago it was pretty much open to whatever. At that time, I hiked downstream along the river and over to the Presidio Santa Cruz de Terranate. Lots of interesting history around here for sure.

The rail line that ran from Benson to Douglas served Fairbank. It was finally abandoned about 5 years ago and the tracks removed. For awhile in the late 1990's a tourist excursion train ran from Benson to Charleston (a little south of here). I enjoyed that train ride in 1997. :) Fairbank was a pretty important rail hub in its heyday, with a spur line to Tombstone and another line that headed southwest to Sonoita, Patagonia and Nogales.

I was just a 13 year old kid on vacation with my mom and her boyfriend back in 1961 when they stopped here for gas. That was quite a trip as it was my first time down the Coronado Trail to Clifton, then on to Bisbee, Tombstone, Sonoita, Patagonia, and Nogales! The train still ran to Patagonia at that time, being abandoned in 1962.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairbank,_Arizona
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Railroad Right-of-Way  Stone Dwelling  Wooden Dwelling
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.47 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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