Small waterfalls course around dramatic stone cliffs. Unfortunately the trail here meanders up and down over terrain … Sycamore Canyon is a vast 56,00o acre wilderness area that extends from below Williams, Arizona down to Clarkdale in the Sedona area. Northeast of Phoenix on north side of Four Peaks Wilderness. The waterfalls are less than one mile from the trailhead, however, the entire trail loop is more than 10 miles. Explore Sycamore Falls, or Paradise Forks, in northern Arizona. This easy 3.5-mile section touts the best view of Sycamore Canyon and passes lovely ponds and marshes. We saw plenty of wildlife and had a nice day in the forest, though the falls were dry. The waterfall is 80 feet high, with a swimming area below. Here’s what the USFS interpretive sign has to say about the sawmill site: The history of Williams and the surrounding area includes the “boom” of the lumber industry. The Forest Service deliberately constructed the Sycamore Rim Trail in the late 1970s. These are some of the last remnants of a once booming logging trade along historic Overland Road. I feel that going clockwise is best, as it gets the elevation out of the way early in the hike, and saves the best views for last. Hiking and Inspiration from Arizona’s great outdoors. From the Vista Point access, the Sycamore Loop Trail first follows the northern rim of the canyon. The range is actually a single ancient volcano, thought to have erupted sometime within the last million years. By contrast, in early summer and late fall, the flow disappears, leaving the area bone-dry. The Little-Known Hiking Trail In Arizona With 4 Enchanting Natural Springs Beautiful swimming holes abound here in Arizona, but most of them are packed all spring and summer long. This part of the upper canyon is home to a pair of springs – LO Spring and Dow Spring. Required fields are marked *, Copyright © 2020 Down The Trail - All Rights Reserved - legal statements - contact. The best views of the falls come from the Sycamore Rim Trail, a mellow loop offering multiple access points around the canyon and surrounding area. Sycamore Canyon is Arizona’s second-largest gorge — second only to the natural wonder that can be seen from outer space. Description: There’s few ways to get to the creek and all the trails. The Sycamore Falls Trailhead was added during the summer of 1988 to accommodate hikers along the Sycamore Rim Trail and climbers using the Sycamore Falls area. The Falls trailhead was added in 1988 to provide easy access to the Sycamore Falls at Paradise Forks. This 3.6-mile long section starts off with a 1.25-mile, moderate, 500′ ascent to the top of KA Hill. It appears that some selective logging has taken place here, but the walking is pleasant as you approach KA Hill. The trail forms a loop with access at several points along it. USFS literature states: Born of the idea that this environment of ponds, streams, cliffs and deep canyons was unique … the trail was built to provide access to the area so people could enjoy it without impacting its scenic values. Your email address will not be published. Tom's Thumb Trail in Scottsdale, AZ - with the Lookout & Windgate Hikes, The 3 Best Things to Do in Monument Valley for Free, Westwing Mountain Hiking Loop - Trail Map & Guide - Peoria, AZ, Hike Picacho Peak via the Hunter Trail - State Park Info - Map & Deaths. I had read that Use the Official Route for best results as the area changes over the years. This site feeds you cookies, is peppered with affiliate links, and has dangerous recipes for going outdoors. The views are amazing, but the canyon is unforgiving. It roars over a deep drop in the rocky canyon to the creek below. 3. I earn commission with links to other websites, like Amazon. Turn left on White Horse Lake Road. Walk through the … Turn left/south onto Forest Road 109 and continue for 2.4 miles to the trailhead parking lot. Located on the left/east side of the FR 109. Sycamore Canyon: Take the Rim Trail to Sycamore Falls - See 38 traveler reviews, 11 candid photos, and great deals for Williams, AZ, at Tripadvisor. Sycamore Falls located at the headwaters of Sycamore Creek in the 55,937 acre Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, this is a special place. Falls are not running but not expected as it is not monsoon or spring melt. The idea is to ensure that melting snow will cause the falls to flow. I'm the guy behind DownTheTrail.com. There is a large parking lot with restrooms at the trailhead. Haley and I camped nearby in the forest on the previous night. We’ve discovered a trail boasting not just one, but four little-known natural springs with crystal-clear water and hardly any tourists. These natural depressions capture water in sculpted rock basins. Thanks for commenting :) I'm not entirely sure of the trailhead since it's been awhile since we've been out there. Turn left/east and drive 1.75 miles to Forest Road 56. Past Sycamore Falls, the trail angles away from canyon rim and follows a shallow and rocky stream-bed to the Pomeroy Tanks. Continue straight as the trail descends back into the ravine at the Pomeroy Tanks. Turn left / south onto Forest Road 109 and continue for 3.35 miles to the trailhead parking lot. If you’re extremely lucky, both arms of the canyon will be flowing… but they’re most often dry. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Keep your eyes open for some sprawling specimens of Alligator Juniper. Sycamore Falls Trailhead to Vista Point This easy 1.65-mile section follows the northern rim of the canyon and includes one of the hikes main features — Sycamore Falls. Resources Click here to download a trail map. This easy 1.15-mile section follows a lovely, seasonal, forest-lined stream. Just be aware that the rim of the canyon marks a Wilderness Area, so biking is prohibited within the canyon. Drive south for 3.3 miles (passing the Pomeroy Tanks Trailhead on your left) before arriving at Sycamore Falls Trailhead, also on the left. After 1 mile, the Thomas Loop Road will make a hard left. These forest roads are well-graded gravel, and are suitable for passenger cars. No, Chris and Kirsty and I had made the three-plus hour drive beyond Flagstaff to camp with a bunch of strangers on the internet. I went to the falls expecting just to see Sycamore Falls and was blown away by five falls roaring down the valley. 2. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Make a hard right, continuing to follow Garland Prairie for 2 more miles. Turn left / south onto Forest Road 56 and continue for 3.85 miles to the trailhead parking lot. Located on the left/east side of the FR 56. Sycamore Canyon: Take the Rim Trail to Sycamore Falls - See 38 traveller reviews, 11 candid photos, and great deals for Williams, AZ, at Tripadvisor. Sycamore Falls is located between Parks AZ and Williams AZ. Sycamore Canyon is a 21-mile scenic Canyon that begins in the thick Ponderosa Pine forests near Williams and ends in the desert landscape of Verde Valley. 5. To get to the Trailhead: From the Tucson area, take I-19 South towards Nogales. It's 0.9-miles to the pre-2004 trailhead. Located at the headwaters of Sycamore Creek in the 55,937 acre Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, this is a special place. Nearby Trails. As a result, all of the rock underfoot on the Sycamore Rim is igneous in origin. I dare say the navigation app will get you there just fine, but here’s the driving directions. KA Hill Trailhead – Turn right /north onto FR 527 / Thomas Loop Road, and continue 0.75 miles to Forest Road 141. Thanks for commenting :) I'm not entirely sure of the trailhead since it's been awhile since we've been out there. The numerous trailheads include the Sycamore Falls Trailhead, Pomeroy Tanks, Vista Point, and Dow Spring. Continue for 3 more miles. It’s complete with lily pads! AZ Utopia makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and hereby disclaims and negates all other warranties, including without limitation, implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of intellectual property or other violation of rights. How to get to Sycamore Falls: Located about 1 1/2 hours south of the Grand Canyon, you’ll find another impressive yet lesser-known Canyon. While tranquil pools offer sanctuary to colorful dragonflies and wildflowers. The ponderosa pine forest and canyon country are relatively durable environments, but water is scarce and spring run-off powers Sycamore Falls usually no later than April each year. The best place to access these is via the Sycamore Falls Trailhead and Vista Point Trailhead. Drive 9 miles and turn right on Thomas Loop Road. Sycamore Creek OHV Trail is a 11 mile heavily trafficked point-to-point trail located near Fort McDowell, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. This area of trail is known as the Grundy Day Loop trail. Turn left/east and drive 3 miles to Forest Road 109. Gorgeous, 21-mile long, Sycamore Canyon winds south through three national forests: Coconino, Kaibab and Prescott. Difficulty: Easy to moderate. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Get yourself and your rig ready for the trip: Make sure both you and your vehicle are ready for your next adventure. Aug. 13, 2020, 8:55 a.m. For more details about the specific climbing routes, look here on Mountain Project. You’ll need a 4×4 to reach the trailhead to being your hike. A quiet forest hike featuring views into Sycamore Canyon, with a minor summit and a seasonal waterfall, MAP: Kaibab National Forest – South PERMITS: none DESIGNATION: Kaibab National Forest BEST SEASONS: spring, summer, fall DISTANCE: 11 mile loop WATER: seasonal at Pomeroy Tanks and Dow Spring ELEVATION: waterfall trailhead 6,575ft – high point KA Hill 7,285ft ACCESS: gravel roads to trailhead GUIDEBOOK: 100 Classic Arizona Hikes. The trail is open to mountain bikes outside the Wilderness boundary. Pomeroy Tanks Trailhead – Turn right /north onto FR 527 / Thomas Loop Road, and continue 0.75 miles to Forest Road 141. The trailhead parking area sits right on the trail, and the only moderately steep portion of the loop can be knocked off first! Hike along the Sycamore rim loop trail in Arizona. Turn right/north to reach the KA Hill Trailhead. The Sycamore Falls Trailhead was added during the summer of 1988 to accommodate hikers along the Sycamore Rim Trail and climbers using the Sycamore Falls area. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Sycamore Rim Trail Loop Hike Kaibab National Forest, Williams, AZ ... (a counterclockwise loop) at the KA Hill Trailhead, one of five trailheads that provide access to the 11 mile Sycamore Rim Trail. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Go to the about page to see more about me and this site, or go here to see the latest posts. This trail section crosses the stream multiple times as it wanders southeast towards Sycamore Falls. The trail forms a loop with access at several points along it. The trailhead is located just past Tracy City Elementary School on Fiery Gizzard Road. The trail then flattens out, and meanders through an open expanses of pine, before crossing Forest Road 139. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. When the falls are dry, Sycamore Canyon hosts seemingly infinite possibilities for sport climbing routes. Hey Abby! Start your hike at the south end of the parking lot. For more details about the specific climbing routes, look here on Mountain Project. The trail is primarily used for ohv/off road driving and is accessible year-round. From the well signed parking area, follow the signs for the Sycamore Rim trail that head into the meadow nearby. Each of the Sycamore Rim Hiking Trail’s five gorgeous, easily accessible, trailhead sections are described below, starting at the Sycamore Falls Trailhead and moving counterclockwise around the loop. Located on the left/north side of the FR 109. Sycamore Falls can be reached by car and is located at the upper head of the canyon at … Turn left and go 3.3 miles to Sycamore Falls trailhead (a half-mile past Pomeroy Tanks trailhead). Remaining snowpack on the rim can add a nice quality to your photos, too. The next best time to try and see the falls is in the summer months – particularly July and August – immediately after there’s been a monsoon thunderstorm. The old trailhead is seemingly in the middle of nowhere, with little trace of its existence. Drive 10 miles on this paved road and make a left turn towards Arivica. Sycamore Falls is located in the Fiery Gizzard region of South Cumberland State Park. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Domestic sheep roam this area, leaving funny little cloven tracks across the path and pleasant bell sounds in the distance. Vista Point Trailhead – Turn right /north onto FR 527 / Thomas Loop Road, and continue 0.75 miles to Forest Road 141. Sycamore Falls Trailhead – Turn right /north onto FR 527 / Thomas Loop Road, and continue 0.75 miles to Forest Road 141. Then turn right/east to reach Vista Point.Â. As stated trail is rocky much of the loop. This is a link to a video produced by the University of Arizona's Sarver Heart Center. Sycamore Canyon: Take the Rim Trail to Sycamore Falls - See 38 traveler reviews, 11 candid photos, and great deals for Williams, AZ, at Tripadvisor. This mill was in operation around 1910-1920. While frogs, big and small, sing and croak loudly in the reeds. Arizona Hiking Gallery. Another 2 miles will wrap up the hike, as you approach the “Paradise Forks” of Sycamore Canyon. The Sycamore Falls Trailhead was added during the summer of 1988 to accommodate hikers along the Sycamore Rim Trail and climbers using the Sycamore Falls area. I day-hiked the Sycamore Rim Trail on April 23, 2020 with Haley and Rachel. A hike or bike ride on the Sycamore Point Trail culminates at a breathtaking overlook that rivals those along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon — without the crowds and concession stands. And, of course, there were all sorts of arty pictures from all angles of the flowing The trail forms a loop with access at several points along it. You can right-click on the image to view a larger version or download it. These cookies do not store any personal information. The trail forms a loop with access at several points along it. The attributes of the Grand Canyon are many, but the state’s runner-up has a few of its own, including the 13-mile drive to reach it. Cross the creek to continue around the loop. Basic HTML is allowed. A guide takes care of all the logistics, navigation, and driving—leaving you free to enjoy the famous scenery and snap photos. With five trailheads to choose from, it’s a breeze to hike just a mile or two, or make the full 11-mile loop. Even if nothing happens to you or your vehicle, you might come across someone who needs help. Hey Abby! Veit Springs Hiking Trail Loop to Lamar Haines Area, North Kaibab Hiking Trail to Roaring Springs. From Parks, travel south on Garland Prairie Road for 7 miles. For those planning to tackle the full 11-mile loop, this is a great starting point. It first crosses a wide stoney field marked with strategically placed (but sometimes hard to see) cairns. Then it meanders alongside a gentle stream towards Pomeroy Tanks. While Williams Mountain can be seen to the west. View Sycamore Creek in a larger map for even more DETAILS!. Soon you’ll come upon the historic sawmill site, followed closely by the site of an 1880s community called Dow Springs. The tanks are gorgeous when full! When flowing, during Monsoon Season or after spring melts, almost 70′ high Sycamore Falls is a site to behold! The trail is open to mountain bikes outside the Wilderness boundary. Here is The Video Guide For Sycamore Falls Showing 4 seasonal falls nearby Sycamore Falls and Sycamore Rim Trail might be one of the best hikes in … The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. There are two trailheads serving the Sycamore Rim Trail; the first is near Pomeroy Tanks, the group of big pools along the upper west fork of the drainage, while the second, the most used, is half a mile further south, at the falls. For quicker access to the falls, forgo the loop for the trailhead closest to the falls. Gain in … From the Vista Point Trailhead, a 1/4-mile access trail leads south to the Sycamore Rim Hiking Trail Loop. Turn left /east on the loop trail to reach Dow Spring. Either way, the Sycamore Rim Hiking Trail is chock-a-block full of jaw-droppingly good views, seasonal waterfalls, wildflowers and more. Find out how to get to Sycamore … The highest mountain there is Humphreys Peak, the tallest summit in all of Arizona. The view above looks west toward Bill Williams Mountain, as seen from KA Hill. The Sycamore Falls Trailhead was added during the summer of 1988 to accommodate hikers along the Sycamore Rim Trail and climbers using the Sycamore Falls area. Combine visits to the Grand Canyon and Route 66 on this tour from the Phoenix-Scottsdale area. The best place to access these is via the Sycamore Falls Trailhead and Vista Point Trailhead.For more details about the specific climbing routes, look here on Mountain biking is allowed on the Sycamore Rim Trail. Each bit is uniquely beautiful, with features such as seasonal waterfalls, dramatic ravines, lily pad filled pools or stunning views. The sign emphasizes that the depths of the canyon are a designated Wilderness Area. Turning right onto the Sycamore Rim Hiking Trail loop, the path meanders between Ponderosa Pine Forests and open mesa-top meadows. Continuing right/north, the trail heads down a short hill, then follows a pristine, gently winding stream. The Sycamore Rim Trail has no less than 5 access points. Turn right on Thomas Loop Road (527). The remaining sign just provided an arrow pointing to Sycamore Canyon Vista Trailhead. Turn left /west and drive 3 miles to Forest Road 109. All content is for entertainment purposes only. From KA peak, the next mile is a super easy downhill. The trail forms a loop with access at several points along it. At exit 12, turn right (West) towards Sycamore Creek on HWY-289. It’s a picturesque route through the Kaibab National Forest that gets less traffic than a Sonoran Desert highway in the dead of summer. From the Pomeroy Tanks Trailhead a 1/2-mile access trail heads west to the Sycamore Rim Hiking Trail Loop. Bruce Springsteen is my hero. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The Sycamore Rim loop has numerous access points and can be enjoyably traveled in either direction. The loop hike described is in a clockwise direction from the trailhead. Location:. I love the outdoors, and the Grand Canyon is my favorite destination. The two most popular trailheads are at Sycamore Falls (especially when the water is flowing) and Dow Springs, which is the closest starting point … Then, to reach: 1. Morning sun over Sycamore Falls trailhead As cool as Sycamore Canyon and this loop was, it was not the thing that hauled me into the northern stretches of Arizona. The numerous trailheads include the Sycamore Falls Trailhead, Pomeroy Tanks, Vista Point, and Dow Spring.Leave Interstate I-40 at exit 178 for Parks, AZ. The Vista Point access, the Canyon will grow increasingly wider and as... These Forest roads are well-graded gravel, and continue 0.75 miles to Forest Road.. Mountain bikes outside the Wilderness boundary Francisco Peaks through the trees for:... 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