White Mountains National Recreation Area

TRAIL BEGINS: Windy Gap Cabin
TRAIL ENDS: Cache Mountain Cabin
LENGTH: 26 trail miles
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to difficult
ELEVATION CHANGE: 1,775 feet
RECOMMENDED SEASON: In the winter there is usually enough snow to travel this trail from December through March. Not recommended for summer use due to wet and boggy trail conditions.
USE: Moderate use by snowmobiles with light dog sledding and skier use.
U.S.G.S. 1:63,360 TOPO MAPS: Livengood B-1, C-1

TRAIL DESCRIPTION:
The Cache Mountain Loop Trail connects with the Fossil Creek Trail at the Windy Gap Cabin. It passes the Windy Creek Trail junction and continues up the Fossil Creek drainage for approximately 11 miles through spruce trees and open hillsides. There are spectacular views of the White Mountains and limestone jags close to the trail. The route is mostly off of the creek, but there are a few creek crossings. Near mile ten, Fossil Creek widens to about 200 yards and is usually filled with glare ice. The trail follows the north side of the valley until it divides into two drainages. The trail follows the left creek drainage for 2.5 miles, climbing steeply up following the tripod markers to the Cache Mountain Divide.

From Cache Mountain Divide, the trail goes through open meadows before following another drainage for about six miles. There are a few creek crossings as the trail winds through large White Spruce trees. The trail turns southeast and has a short climb up a hill. The trail parallels the O'Brien Creek drainage for another seven miles through Black Spruce forests. The Cache Mountain Loop Trail connects with the Trail Creek Trail at the Cache Mountain Cabin.

CABIN INFORMATION:
The Windy Gap Cabin is located at the foot of the White Mountains on the east side of Fossil Creek. This 12' by 16' cabin has bunk beds and a loft that can sleep four to five people comfortably.

The Cache Mountain Cabin is located approximately six miles north of Beaver Creek on the northwest side of O'Brien Creek at the junction of the Cache Mountain Loop and Trail Creek trails. This 12' by 16' cabin has bunk beds and a loft that can sleep six people comfortably.

Each of these cabins has a wood stove for heat, a Coleman cook stove and lantern, table and benches, and an outhouse.