Sycamore CanyonAdventure in the Backcountry.
Sycamore Canyon Wilderness.Located about 40 miles southwest of Flagstaff and about 8 miles south of Williams, Arizona in the Kaibab National Forest, Sycamore Canyon is the second largest canyon in Arizona. Nearly 56,000 rural acres make up the canyon area with virtually all of it accessible only on foot or horseback. Once inside the canyon, visitors can experience hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, swimming, fishing and wildlife in one of the country's most stunning yet least visited landscapes. The colorful cliffs, with towering pinnacles, arches, mesas and buttes, will astonish the first time visitor and continue to amaze those who return for even more scenic wonder. Sycamore Canyon provides many outstanding vistas for photographers and artists to capture nature's symphony of color and form and is as fine an example of Arizona's Red Rocks as the canyon's more famous sister, Oak Creek Canyon to the east. Hiking the Canyon.There are 11.3 miles of trail within the designated Wilderness Area with most of them rated as moderate with a few difficult or strenuous stretches. The elevation at the forested rim of the canyon is 6,800 ft and drops to 4,800 ft at the canyon floor. Kelsey Winter Trail, Little L.O. Trail, Dorsey Springs Trail, Taylor Cabin Trail, Winter Cabin Trail, Sycamore Rim Trail and Parson's Trail make up the backbone of the Wilderness Area's trail system and have trailheads located off the Forest Service roads that traverse the canyon. The Sycamore Rim Trail is most enjoyable during the warmer months as it takes visitors around the canyon's upper rim through deep forests and alongside several secluded pools. The canyon's solitude makes these pools the perfect place to jump in and cool down during your summer hike. The Taylor Cabin Trail gives you the remnants of a real cowboy cabin from the American west. The Parson's Trail is one of the most fascinating as it makes its way through a desert riparian habitat, lush and fertile. One of the rarest ecosystems, a desert riparian area exists where natural water courses continue to flow despite the oppressive desert heat. Access to these trailheads can be quite rough in spots and during the winter heavy snows make some of the roads impassable. Monsoon season also limits access to all but the most determined so a familiarity with backcountry travel is essential. Wilderness Area maps, including the hiking and access trails are available from the Peaks Ranger Station in Flagstaff or the Red Rocks Ranger District in Sedona. Sycamore Canyon Wildlife.Sycamore Canyon is also home to some of the most diverse wildlife in the west. Another example of why the canyon is not for the faint of heart, black bears and mountain lions call the area home, as do more than a few smaller creatures that can join you at your campsite. Rattlesnakes like to take cover in the rocks so use caution when grabbing hold or descending through brush. Birdwatchers will enjoy the wrens and thrushes that cruise from rock to rock throughout the canyon. Not only beautiful, these melodious birds will serenade you as you make your way through the valleys and passes, filling the natural quiet with their songs. Getting to Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Area.Visitors can only use approach roads to the edges of Sycamore Canyon. These roads are rough and often impassable during bad weather and cross undeveloped thick forests. The easiest entry is from Williams Arizona beginning from Perkinsville Road (FR 173 which is the only main road leaving Williams to the south. Continue for about 8 miles until arriving at FR 110 (White Horse Lake Road) which branches east. Sign posts indicate White Horse and JD Dam both of which feature fishing and boating The map below indicates the hiking trails. The area is extremely remote, so be prepared with necessary provisions and rely on experienced hiking partners. There are many areas suitable for camping, but camping guideline requires no camping within 200 feet of natural waterways. Human waste must be buried at least 200 feet from any natural waters. To keep the wilderness pristine for all to enjoy, pack your trash out with you and do not remove discovered artifacts or deface the natural environment. Sycamore Canyon Trail Map. Map compliments of the NPS Hotels Nearest Sycamore Canyon.Williams Arizona Hotels For More Information.Peaks Ranger Station
|
