Dupont Cabin

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4.7/5 (12 reviews)
Tonto Basin, Arizona (Gila County)
Last Updated: 07/07/2021

Trail Information

Highlights

Tonto National Forest outside of Phoenix, AZ offers some of the best opportunities in the nation for a true backcountry 4x4 overland adventure. FR236 is a gateway to this type of experience. The trail provides stunning vistas of the Tonto Basin and Four Peaks Region. The trail has a stop at the iconic Dupont Cabin an old ranch house where you can get a glimpse of what frontier life used to be like. Several primitive campsites have beautiful views of the surrounding canyons. The trail can be a challenge for stock 4x4s because of the loose steep climb along the ledge road. Even experienced drivers will be challenged on this route. But the rewards are when you get to the top and can see for miles in all directions. Once on top, tall ponderosa pines provide some much-needed shade during summer months.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.7/5 (12)
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/24/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

This trail was spot on as a 3; it was easy for my truck, but could take some thought in a stocker. A lot of it was fairly easy, but the climb and the ledges after all the snow and rain this year were really loose. There was nothing difficult about it, but it took a little more thought than a regular Sunday drive. The one tight switchback with the ledge is really tight for a long wheelbase Gladiator We did the complete loop back down FR609 and it was a fairly long day. FR609 is really chewed up from all the precipitation over the winter as well; be careful going too fast or you'll hit a hole. I never even used 4Lo, but still a good day on the trail. It's nice to get out of the valley heat
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1500
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 10/23/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Great full day if you tie it in with a loop back into the basin, don't forget to stop at the bluebird mine about halfway to Dupont. The UTV's are out in droves and they haul ass so just be wary of blind corners. Seems nearly all the guys I passed were beer in hand and tunes blazing so just be ready, does make it a bit sporting when trying to pass each other on the narrow shelves since they don't obey trail etiquette or right of way.
Trail Review: Dupont Cabin - NW Nomad
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Official Crew
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83750
Open
Visited: 07/07/2021

Arizona National Forests and State Lands are back open for travel. There are still some very important fire restrictions in place. These restrictions can often change by specific areas.
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Official Crew
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83750
Temporary Closure
Visited: 06/25/2021

Tonto National Forest officials will close the state’s largest national forest due to ongoing extreme fire danger beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 25. The forest is implementing this forest closure as a precaution to protect the health and safety of the public, employees and firefighters by reducing the risk of human-caused fires. No one is allowed in the closure area, including Forest Service personnel, unless they are responding to a wildfire or other emergency or patrolling to ensure enforcement of the closure. The order shall remain in effect until July 31, 2021 or until rescinded, whichever occurs first. Residents or businesses using roads in the restricted area to the extent necessary to access their private property are exempt.
Open
Visited: 02/20/2021

Side Trail Review of 236A (from waypoint 3) - Yesterday I visited Mud Spring which sits below the Malicious Gap and Bear Mountain. This canyon is surrounded by beautiful red rock cliffs reminiscent of Sedona in some spots. This side trail is through the gate at 236A going to the left of the gate leading more directly up to Dupont Cabin. This side trail follows along Greenback Creek and is rated a 1. There are a number of fantastic mountain formations along this side trail. This deadened for me with a severe drop off into the creek preventing me from going any further. Time for some 37s+!
Trail Review: Dupont Cabin - Backcountry Explorer
Trail Review: Dupont Cabin - Backcountry Explorer
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