T66
Seven Cabins Trail

Smokey Bear Ranger District
 TL-yellow-190.jpg
Download
T66
GPS Track
(as .GPX)		Capitan Mountains Trails
T58 (partial),T61 (partial), T62 (partial), T63, T64,  T65, and T66 are shown as black dashed lines on the map. As part of the Capitan Mountains Wilderness Area trail system, these trails allow only hiking and pack animal activities.
Capitan-mc-RTS-r8p5.jpg

Capitan-mc-RTS-cb5a-rf.jpg

LENGTH:
3.7
 miles
ELEVATION:
6960 - 9240 ft
2280 ft
difference
DIFFICULTY:
More Difficult
SCENIC
RATING:
4
Contour Interval: 40 feet
Capitan Mountains Area  (37 MB)

Capitan Peak Topo Map   Kyle Harrison Topo Map
Route Color Codespaved roads
(red)		FS roads, open
(blue)		FS roads, closed or impassable
(magenta)
main trail(s)
(black dashes)		---connector trail(s)
(green dashes)		---damaged or intermittent trail(s)
(orange over black dashes)		---closed trails(s)
(red over black dashes)		---
Symbolstrailhead
(blue triangle)		 blue-triangle.jpgtrail junction
(blue dot) 		blue-dot.jpgtrail end
(blue square)		 blue-square.jpg
Note:  The 2004 Peppin Fire Burned parts of T63, T65, and T66.  The descriptions given below are based on John Stockert’s 2001 observations.  Click on this link for a 2013 picture of the area near the junction of T65 and T66.

DESCRIPTION:

The canyon name, Seven Cabins, extends back to the 1850s when pioneers moved into the area and noted the foundations of seven burned cabins. 

 T66 is the most interesting and easiest-to-follow ascending trail in the Capitans, where forest fire has had only marginal effect. Splendid views of every sort are abundant, especially beyond mile 1.3, the first switchback. Until this point, the excellent path parallels an intermittent stream. As a result of an average maximum gradient of 20%, more than 20 switchbacks are encountered. A few, short 30% grades and poor trail sections exist beyond mile 1.0. The path passes through an open forest of mixed conifers and aspens.

 The upper trailheads for T66 and T61, Pierce Canyon Trail, merge on T58, Summit Trail, at a pass on the ridge of the Capitan Mountains.  T61, that climbs the southern slope of the Capitans for 5.7 miles, is the easiest southern slope trail; its lower trailhead is accessed from FR57, a public road. The two trails make an ideal hike across the Capitans, if transportation at the other end is available. 

 ACCESS:

To reach the lower T66 trailhead, a high clearance vehicle is mandatory; 4‑wheel drive is preferable. Start in Capitan at the NM246 and US380 intersection and drive NM 246 north and east 27 miles to milepost 27. Go another 0.2 mile and turn right on signed Seven Cabins Road, also signed FR256 after making the turn. The worst section of road is along the first 0.1 mile.  Beyond here, it continues to be a primitive, unmaintained, dry weather, rutty road.  At mile 3.9, FR 256 angles left; follow it to its end at mile 5.5 at the signed and interesting Seven Cabins Spring area, trailhead for T66. This is a nice place to camp.

 The upper trailhead can be accessed by hiking T58, Summit Trail, east 3.7 miles from its western trailhead near the end of FR56, or hiking T58 west 4.4 miles from the common trailhead for T58, T64, and T62.  An alternative route is T61, Pierce Canyon Trail; see its write-up.
LOCATION(S) OF ACCESS POINT(S)
Lat/Lon hddd mm ss.sUTM/NAD83
Junction of T58 and T66 N33 35 37.7
W105 18 26.7		 13 S
471477
3717163
Trailhead N33 37 27.8
W105 17 55.7		13 S
472286
3720549

Last Hiked:  2001Web Page Updated:February 21, 2014
Copyright Lynn Melton 2014Contact: LNFTG14@gmail.com