Barbershop Trail
The rather unique name for this trail comes from a sheepherder who once lived in the area and was as good at clipping his fellow herders as he was at shearing woolies. Along the creek in Barbershop Canyon on Barbershop TrailBarbershop Trail meanders through a pleasant region of open forests and shallow canyons and provides an excellent place to enjoy a woodland stroll or a weekend backpack. The trail runs between Buck Springs cabins and Houston Brothers Trail, crossing U-Bar Trail, Barbershop Canyon, and Dane Canyon along the way.
The Cabin Loop Trail system links General Springs, Pinchot, and Buck Springs Fire Guard Stations. These cabins date from the early days of the Forest Service on the Mogollon Rim. The present day Buck Springs Fire Guard Station consists of two cabins. The smaller cabin was built in 1923, and the larger was built in 1946 by Forest Service employees, Louie Pyle and Frank Holder.
The trail system offers excellent hiking and backpacking opportunities. Several the cabins are easily accessed by short walks from the parking areas. Multiple trail access points allow for short day hikes with the kids to multi-day backpacking experiences on the 36 miles of trails in the system. Perennial springs, picturesque canyons, abundant wildlife, and a forest that feels almost magical make this system one of the premiere hiking areas on the Coconino National Forest.
Source: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest. Visit Barbershop Trail #91, Cabin Loop Trail System and the Coconino National Forest for more information. Original public domain image from Flickr.