I thought I would do a Cabin Loop up on the Rim. I bagged 3 of the 5 cabins in a 33 mile suffer fest that was quite the ride. A great overnighter.
somehow, on the 2007 AZT ride from Flagstaff to Phoenix, we missed this section of the AZT, instead bypassing it for dirt road. I think that was a mistake, either that, or it was not finished yet.
this drops down to East Clear Creek on the West side of the Blue Ridge Res. Very rocky and steep down to the creek. Then UP.
not much water over here. This was to change down the trail(s) a bit.
I had read a bit about the Barbershop Trail, and here was my turn off if I wanted to give it a shot. I chose to stay on the Houston Brothers Trail. I am really glad I did.
The trail bombs right to the next structure on the list. My 2007 visit was not quite as warm as it was on this moring. I parked my bike and hung my pack in the same spot though. From here, I had another choice of where to go. I really wanted to check out the Blue Ridge Reservoir. So I did.
I saw on my Coconino Forest Map that a set of trails numbered “18” sat between me and various parts of the reservoir. So I found the dirt road to get me there and headed down in.
oh well. down I go.
18C shows connecting to 18B.
These people were good enough to ferry me across, saving me from climbing out several miles.
So getting the float got me back on track and back to the car at Rock Crossing campground area. I blame Kerouac for the long weekend in the woods. I would not have it any other way.
Just beautiful.
Looks like a really nice trail. What do you think the chances of doing this in a day are? Maybe leaving out the reservoir addition?
Easily doable in a day. I just was out looking around for 2 days there! You could do the whole cabin loop in one long day.
Awesome trip report and photos, as always. After running the Cabin Loop clockwise from Washington Park, I’d really love to run it the way you did, hitting up that norther portion of AZT. I think Houston Brothers would be fantastic northboound. So many place to camp.
I’ve never bikepacked yet, but I think this summer I’ll follow your lead and make the Cabin Loop my first.
Let me know if you pointed in the right direction for bikepacking bags!
NIce post. I am daydreaming of a bike pack trip up north during the phoenix summer. So, how do you control gout? Just drink lots of water?
water is key. beer in moderation.