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| | | Casner - Cabins - Loy - Robbers Loop, AZ | | | |
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Casner - Cabins - Loy - Robbers Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 23.99 Miles |
4,865 AEG |
| | Hiking | 23.99 Miles | 11 Hrs 14 Mns | | 2.41 mph |
| 4,865 ft AEG | 1 Hour 16 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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[ show ]
| partners | | Needed to get to cooler ground...
I had some unfinished business in this area and reused a couple of past hikes to create a loop.
There were two (Turned out to be 3) cabins up in the pines that I had not seen yet, Plus I'd never been to the Sedona version of the Robbers Roost.
In pre-production, I stumbled on a Ruin while trying to minimize the road walk, so that added one more "Destination".
We started a tad south of the Robbers Roost and saved that for the end of the day.
We bushwhacked over to the Ruins and Class 4'd it to the top. A small but interesting perch.
Next it was up the Multi-use Casner Mountain Trail #8. If you start from FR 525C, it's a 2.8 mile steady climb, 2100' to the top. It's an old road, but you do get some tremendous views of the Red Rock-Secret Mountain and Sycamore Canyon Wilderness areas. There have been some rock slides, but most ORV's can still make it.
The first cabin up was Buck Ridge Cabin. This one actually turned out to be two Cabins. The first, a log cabin built long ago, sadly had taken a direct hit from a fallen tree. The roof had caved in. The 2nd cabin was more recent maybe from the 60's or 70's. It had a well that came into the cabin, with a pump, into the sink. It even had a poured concrete floor.
Just outside was one of the nicest tanks I'd see. All nestled in the pines, it almost looked like a swimin' hole.
We bushwhacked over to the area of the next cabin. We stumbled on some old roads that could have made it a bit easier, but I'd never seen them on the Sat. views.
I expected Hidden Cabin to be..er...um... Hidden. But there it was in view from the FR. The WARNING HANTAVIRUS sign on the front of the building was apropos. The rodents had overrun that cabin.
Secret Mountain Trail #109 to Loy Canyon Trail #5, was our way off the mountain. Always spectacular views here. The upper mile of Loy is sun exposed, but after that you are in the pines and a gentler grade for the remaining 5.5 miles.
The next part I was a bit worried about. I could see some houses on the Sat. view. We approached a few closed gates across the FR, and could see larger signs on them. No motorized traffic, respect others property, etc. so we continued through without incident.
For the next off trail section, I tried to pick stuff on the Sat. view that looked "Less Thick". There were only a couple of catclaw sections that wanted to decorate my legs. Somehow I managed not to kick any of the low growing, grass hidden prickly pear.
Finally with darkness coming, we were on an old mining road and with a stop at the Robbers Roost left. Just as we approached the Roost, 3 college aged young ladies emerged saying how they's just finished a Photo Shoot, complete with costume change?? hmmmm.
Robbers Roost smelled like purfume.... much different that the Robbers Roost in the Superstitions. |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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Buck Ridge Tank |
76-100% full |
76-100% full |
| | | Bring the inflatables. Plenty of water to float in here! | | _____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry  |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
It wouldn't have been too difficult with just a day pack on...but it's a different story with a full on pack with overnight gear. I eventually made my way up out of the canyon and found my way over to the Dogie trail. 
over to the Casner trail. The hike up Casner Mountain was a beast! Especially after already having hike down and back out of the canyon. I slowly made my way up Casner (with a few breaks to rest!) and up and down to where the Taylor Cabin trail connects. The hike along Casner was beautiful with some great views on both sides. Taylor cabin trail was quite pretty - starting in some pines and then winding down a narrowish canyon eventually getting back down into Sycamore Canyon. I stopped for a few to enjoy the scenery at the Sycamore Creek/Taylor Cabin Trail junction and filtered some water. Then I made my way down the canyon and to Taylor Cabin for the night. I was the only one there and it was quite peaceful to be out there all alone. The following day I got up and made my way back to the car following the Sycamore Basin trail. This was one of my favorite hikes - very pretty!
). I day hiked this loop clockwise, but I would recommend doing it counter-clockwise to get the climbing up Casner mountain done early plus better lighting for photos as the sun glides across the sky. Taylor cabin is a pleasant place and would make a great backpacking destination. Most would prefer to backpack this rugged remote loop, esp considering I was barely able to squeak this hike out just after the sun set. It should be noted that the NF map shows the trail sticking to the westside of the canyon down around Taylor cabin, but in reality it jumps sides a few times and you could also just boulder hop right up/down the dry creekbed if you prefer.
