On Friday morning 6 backpackers met for a 3-day intermediate backpack. We hiked three trails that are a part of the Cabin loop system.

We set out on day 1 from the trailhead where FR95 intersects Houston Draw.

We traveled down a short access trail and crossed the stream and to the Fred Haught Trail (#141).

After a short distance we arrived at Pinchot Cabin, where we signed in and paused for some pictures.

From the cabin, we headed north up the UBAR Trail (#28). We traveled about ½ mile along the ridge intersecting a road (139G).

We travel ¼ mile along the road crossing FR 95 then turned east.

We crossed a shallow stream at the bottom of Dick Hart Draw and ascended the other side.

We turned SE and traveled along a plateau for about ½ mile until we dropped sharply about 200 ft. into Barbershop canyon crossing another shallow stream.

We hiked out of Barbershop Canyon (½ Mile) and crossed another road (9709G), where we paused briefly to catch our breath.

We crossed another plateau, followed a road (9616A) and descend into McClintock Draw near McClintock Spring.

Climbing out of McClintock Draw, we crossed road 145A before we moved down into Dane Canyon.

After crossing a shallow stream, we parallel the stream bed for 1¼ miles to Dane Spring.

We set up camp, gathered water and explored the area before enjoying cocktail hour.

We poured wine and toasted our first day.

We prepared dinner and had pleasant conversation until dark.

We drifted off to sleep to the sound of Paul singing and playing his backpack guitar.

We awoke on day 2 to birds serenading the dawn.

We ate breakfast, packed up and began our trek.

We traveled south on the UBAR Trail (#28) about 1½ miles to the junction with the Barbershop Trail (#91).

We turned west at the junction and dropped into McClintock Draw after ¼ mile.

We crossed a shallow stream and climbed out of McClintock Draw. We crossed FR321C about 1½ miles from the Junction.

We travel along the road for ¾ mile and turned southwest leaving the road for about ½ mile. We turned Northwest and climbed about ½ mile to a plateau. From the plateau we dropped into Dane Canyon and crossed another shallow stream. After a short climb to a ridge, we crossed FR145 and dropped into Barbershop Canyon.

We paused for lunch and an afternoon nap (not really).

After a sharp climb out of Barbershop Canyon, we traveled ¾ miles up the broad meadows of Barbershop Canyon to Dick Hart Ridge.

We crossed a road (FR139) before dropping into East Bear Canyon and intersecting the Houston Brothers Trail (#171).

We traveled north on the Houston Brothers Trail dropping in and out of side draws amid carpets of fern surrounded by towering trees.

When we reached Houston Draw, the water was shallow and muddy, so we elected to continue another ¾ mile to Aspen Springs. Since we were close to the trailhead, Julia elected to continue and cut the trip short.

The remaining group set up camp. Water was plentiful.

The group explored Aspen Springs cabin and the spring.

Cocktail hour was pleasant, but since we had hiked longer than expected, we started dinner early.

A pleasantly tired group drifted off to sleep to Paul singing.

We awoke on day 3 to again to birds serenading to the dawn.

After packing, we traveled a short distance north on the Houston Brothers Trail, pausing briefly to view Pinchot Springs before arriving at Pinchot Cabin.

We signed out of the register and hiked a short distance up the Fred Haught Trail (#141) before crossing a stream and heading to our vehicles.

Since the hike was short, we agreed to stop in Payson (Beeline Café) to eat before returning to the carpool site.