Sunday, November 8, 2009

Parson's Spring at Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, Coconino NF, Arizona




Distance: 3.7 miles one way (6 km)
Elevation: 3700 feet (1128 meters)
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Season: Year Round



Amongst the mesquite, creosote bush, and cactus there was a herd of pronghorns

Just a short drive from Dead Horse Ranch State Park, at the meeting place of the Verde Valley and Mogollon Rim is the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness in the Coconino National Forest. The beautiful perennial stream creates a verdant oasis in this otherwise stark desert landscape.



Sycamore Canyon Wilderness can be reached by following signs for Tuzigoot National Monument just west of Cottonwood, AZ. After turning on the Tuzigoot NM road, turn left just after the bridge onto Sycamore Canyon Road. The road starts out paved and then becomes dirt while following the Verde River for some distance past slag piles and old mining ruins. Stay on this main road across the flats and then it will climb up toward the red rock cliffs ahead. This last section of the road is very rocky and rough. 2WD vehicles can make it, but it'll be bumpy. The Parson's Spring Trail begins on the ridge above the creek and then descends 0.2 miles down to the creek.


This is the view from the trailhead in November

The snows and rain that fall on the top of the rim at 7000 feet percolate through the lava beds, coconino sandstone, and supai shales to the bottom of the Colorado Plateau sedimentary layers. Here, in the redwall limestone springs emerge at the bottom of this canyon to supply this oasis with water.



This lush riparian forest consists primarily of cottonwoods, Arizona ash, walnut, willows, box elder, grape, and the namesake sycamores contast with the reds and oranges of the canyon walls. The alders remain green the longest and had not started dropping their leaves.



Slightly further back hackberries, acacias and mesquites provide slightly different shades of green and brown.



Just a few feet above the water table, the landscape changes to mid-desert vegetation of prickly-pear and cholla cactus, yucca, palo verde, agave, and junipers.


The trail is easy to follow as it heads upstream. It meanders back and forth into the riparian forest and then onto the arid rocky ledges above. While there are rocky stretches that may take some effort, for the most part, this route is a pleasant stroll with lots of shade in the first couple of miles.



The trail crosses the riverbed just before reaching the "swimming hole" where deep waters go right up against a tall red cliff. The trail will continue along the stream and will criss-cross a total of 6 times before reaching the Parson's Spring. A rather unimpressive pool of water near where the perennial stream ends.

View from the trailhead in summer

While any time of year is a great time to visit the canyon, a visit in early November at the peak of the fall colors is a real treat. The bright yellows of the various trees make for a brilliant sight.


16 comments:

James said...

Great trip log, what sort of camera do you use to get those pictures, they look fantastic.

Anonymous said...

You've made some decent points there. I looked on the internet to find out more about the
issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.



my webpage :: mejor hosting

xjd7410@gmail.com said...

20150908 junda
michael kors
louboutin pas cher
coach outlet
coach factory outlet
soccer jerseys wholesale
ray ban sunglass
prada handbags
ugg australia
adidas uk
nike blazer
fitflops sale clearance
air force 1
longchamp outlet
jordan shoes
michael kors outlet online
new balance outlet
prada outlet
ugg boots sale
kate spade handbags
ray bans
adidas gazelle trainers
polo ralph lauren outlet
barbour uk
north face uk
michael kors handbags
ray ban outlet
ray ban sunglasses
michael kors uk
uggs outlet
ralph lauren uk
michael kors handbag
nike free run 5.0
oakley sunglasses sale
canada goose uk
toms wedges
cheap soccer shoes
coach outlet online
adidas shoes
oakley sunglasses wholesale
coach factory outlet

Unknown said...

hogan,hogan outlet,scarpe hogan,hogan sito ufficiale,hogan interactive
oakley sunglasses
washington redskins
bottega veneta outlet
cheap jordan shoes
babyliss flat iron
true religion jeans
michael kors outlet online
mlb jerseys
michael kors uk
ugg outlet store
canada goose outelt
ferragamo outlet
ugg outlet uk
gucci outlet
karen millen uk
tiffany and co
tods outlet
giuseppe zanotti outlet
1024minko

Unknown said...

20160402 junda
adidas gazelle
nike trainers
mizuno running shoes
coach factory outlet
coach outlet
true religion outlet
burberry outlet online
coach outlet
kate spade handbags
louis vuitton pas cher
ralph lauren outlet
rolex submariner
running shoes
michael kors outlet
lacoste shoes
converse shoes
jimmy choo outlet
kate spade outlet
toms shoes
burberry outlet
michael kors outlet online
burberry outlet
puma shoes
ghd flat iron
coach factory outlet
michael kors outlet
sac longchamp pliage
ecco shoes
coach factory outlet
versace shoes
pandora charms
coach outlet
michael kors outlet online
designer handbags
canada goose uk
michael kors outlet online
christian louboutin outlet
burberry outlet
cartier watches
canada goose outlet

Unknown said...

cheap nfl jerseys
hermes belt for sale
toms outlet
mulberry handbags
nike air max
ray ban sunglasses
kate spade handbags
michael kors outlet
cheap nfl jerseys
hollister shirts
air max 2015
rolex watches for sale
louis vuitton pas cher
fitflops sale
prada outlet
kobe shoes
michael kors online
ray ban sunglasses
ralph lauren outlet
coach outlet
kate spade outlet
michael kors outlet
pandora outlet
michael kors outlet
beats headphones
michael kors outlet
louis vuitton handbags outlet
michael kors uk
true religion uk outlet
tiffany and co jewelry
louis vuitton handbags outlet
fitflop sale
fitflops sale clearance
ralph lauren polo
ralph lauren outlet
20160606caihuali

John said...

rolex replica watches
kate spade outlet
ray bans
nike air max
pandora jewelry outlet
nike air max 90
ray ban sunglasses
nike trainers
adidas superstars
michael kors handbags
ray bans
nike air max 90
adidas nmd
coach factory outlet
fitflops sale clearance
michael kors outlet
oakley sunglasses outlet
nike cortez
birkenstock uk
adidas nmd
cheap air max
kate spade outlet online
ralph lauren uk
dolce and gabbana outlet online
asics gel nimbus
ray ban outlet store online
michael kors outlet clearance
converse shoes
michael kors outlet online
toms outlet
burberry outlet
yeezy boost 350
ecco shoes
oakley sunglasses
michael kors outlet clearance
jordan pas cher
designer handbags
2016628yuanyuan

xjd7410@gmail.com said...

20160909 junda
longchamp pas cher
hollister
air max 90
nike air max uk
nike outlet
ray-ban sunglasses
canada goose
ugg boots
toms outlet
north face jackets
dior sunglasses
ralph lauren uk
coach outlet
michael kors outlet
rolex watches for sale
beats headphones
louis vuitton neverfull sale
celine outlet online
nike air max 90
louboutin pas cher
ugg outlet
michael kors outlet online
michael kors outlet online
uggs on sale
louis vuitton pas cher
prada shoes
nike outlet online
tods outlet online
lacoste pas cher
salomon shoes sale
coach outlet online
tory burch outlet online
nike foamposite
herve leger outlet
coach outlet store

Unknown said...

ray ban sunglasses
uggs outlet
fitflops
ralph lauren outlet online
christian louboutin shoes
ugg boots
birkenstocks
longchamp outlet
coach factory outlet
abercrombie and fitch outlet
2016107caiyan

Unknown said...

paul george shoes
golden goose
calvin klein underwear
russell westbrook shoes
nfl store
converse outlet
supreme clothing
adidas yeezy
golden goose sneakers
longchamp bags

Unknown said...

adidas superstar
yeezy boost 350
golden goose starter
yeezy shoes
calvin klein underwear
ysl handbags
adidas tubular
goyard
moncler jackets
birkin bag

QQQQQQQQQ said...

kobe shoes
air jordan 4
lebron 15
goyard bags
longchamp outlet
adidas tubular
cheap nfl jerseys
golden goose
kevin durant shoes
golden goose

6 Racikan Alami Untuk Mengobati Sakit Tumit said...

Article very interisting, thanks for sharing information


Tips Mengobati Bidai Tulang Kering
Cara Alami Mengobati Flek Paru-Paru
Pengobatan Alami Hilangkan Benjolan Di Tubuh
Cara Efektif Mengobati Kaki Keseleo
Pengobatan Atasi Penyakit Kencing Manis
Tips Untuk Mengobati Kencing Batu

SSSSSS said...

kd shoes
retro jordans
kobe 9
reebok shoes
golden goose sneakers
nike huarache
yeezy boost 350
cheap jordans
nike air huarache
cheap jordans

Unknown said...

www1013



coach factory outlet
coach outlet
christian louboutin outlet
coach outlet
pandora outlet
canada goose outlet
christian louboutin outlet
kate spade outlet
canada goose outlet
coach outlet factory


Unknown said...

kd shoes
michael kors handbags
chrome hearts
kobe sneakers
kobe shoes
curry 5
nmd
longchamp bags
coach outlet sale
ysl

Just Giving Back For All To Enjoy

Why pay money to buy hiking books? Why pay fees to view trail websites? By searching my archives and checking back often to see new posts, we are sure you will be able to find the hike that is right for you ... and for free!

In addition, we provide fascinating ecological and geological information to make the hikes informative and fun. As former National Park Rangers, we know how to find the right hike for you. So, if you are on vacation, we will provide you with the hike you absolutely MUST do while in an area. Do not go on vacation without checking out this site!