Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Fred Haught Springs Day Hike

when	Trip Report : November 20, 2021
where	Mogollon Rim
the hike	The hike along this trail leisurely and scenic, with a good chance to see wildlife and ample opportunity to imagine what it must have been like when horses and trails were the only way of traversing this picturesque countryside.     The trail was once part of a network of trails used by early ranchers and the Forest Service. Fred Haught was the uncle of Babe Haught, a bear hunter and Zane Grey guide. The was constructed during the 1870s by the U.S. Army. The General Crook Trail connected Camp Verde and Fort Apache. The route passed near General Springs to take advantage of its water supply. The General Springs Cabin was constructed circa 1918.     It’s a quiet place now, but in 1882, a few decades before the cabins were built, the area was the site of the last major battle between the U.S. Army and the Apache. In all, more than 20 Apache warriors died, along with two U.S. soldiers. There is a memorial to the Battle of Big Dry Wash on the road leading to the General Springs Cabin Trailhead.     Arizona Trail Passage 28 (Blue Ridge) uses the first three miles of Fred Haught Trail (southern half), from General Springs Cabin to just before the confluence of General Springs and Fred Haught Canyons, and is well maintained and easy to follow.     The trail begins at General Springs Cabin, passes a trail register and heads north down General Springs Canyon. The coniferous forest closes in quickly as the canyon narrows. Silence reigns as you go deeper into the canyon. Even the voices of other hikers are dampened. On your right is a high fence protecting the wildlife area surrounding the creek.     At the half-mile mark the trail heads east and crosses a low sandstone ridge (watch for cairns) before descending to the bottom of fir lined General Springs Canyon. There is a total of 10 creek crossing but only one requires you to cross on a couple of small logs.     For the next couple of miles, the trail weaves through tall trees along a gradually widening canyon floor and passing increasingly large creekside meadows. There is an abundance of Noble Fir (popular Christmas tree) and young Spruce trees.     Just before the 3-mile point, the route of the Arizona Trail splits off to the west to climb the canyon side, while the Fred Haught Trail stays in the creek bottom. Soon after the trail junction, we arrive at a sign (3.5 Mile) and turn east for ½ mile toward the Fred Haught Cabin, where only the foundation and fireplace mark the location. We head NE toward a large cave carved in the side of the canyon. From there we rock hop our way up to the spring. We will return to the cabin for a snack break and return the way we came.
distance	8.7 miles
time	5-6 hours
EC	+-705' elevation change
elevations	6892' at the trailhead
type	round trip
starting at	General Springs Trailhead 34° 27' 30.8" N,  111° 15' 4.5" W
on trail	100% — Fred Haught Trail #141
rating	"C"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs allowed	no
cost	Sharing gas expenses with the driver. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
weather	Strawberry
meet	7:00 AM in the parking lot of the Target Center on the south side of Shea Blvd., about a mile west of Highway 87 (Beeline). For those leaving their cars behind, please park up against the north curb away from Target. We will be at the Trailhead at 9:30AM.
drive	•  From Payson, head northeast on AZ-87 for 26.3 miles. • Turn right onto the Rim Road (FR300 General Crook Trail), and follow it east for 12 miles. • Turn left at Arizona National Scenic Trail/Arizona Trail/Forest Rd 393 (Battle of Big Dry Wash Monument) 0.5 miles. • Arrive at General Springs Cabin parking lot. • FR300 is rough and passable by passenger cars, but high clearance vehicles preferred.

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