Parsons Trail in Sycamore Canyon

Everyone knows the Grand Canyon, and almost every Arizonan knows Oak Creek Canyon.  But one of the largest canyon's in the state that no one has ever heard of is Sycamore Canyon.  It's mostly protected as a vast wilderness area, bordered by Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon on the east, the Verde River on the south and a high forested plateau of ponderosa pines and junipers to the north and west.  Despite its protected status, there are several trails and vistas that allow a beautiful glimpse of the flora and fauna that populate its rugged terrain.

I recently enjoyed a two-mile hike into the park's lowest elevation environment via Parsons Trail. The pathway starts where Sycamore Creek meets the Verde River, and follows the stream up four miles into the wilderness and to Parsons Spring itself.   The canyon extends about 20 miles total into the preserve.

As a result of an active summer monsoon season, the creek was noisily feeding the lush high desert riparian area that is populated with mesquite, cottonwoods and sycamore trees.  Steep red rock and limestone canyon walls bordered the trail, offering glimpses of some long-ago abandoned native cliff dwellings.  We forged the stream at least two times, taking advantage of an array of rocks and logs that previous visitors had assembled to assist in the crossings.

A number of day hikers were enjoying swims in the deep pools of water that collect at a couple bends in the waterway.  There were frequent sounds of birds in the high forest canopy, but I was only able to identify a cooper's hawk and a hairy woodpecker.   Other wildlife certainly abounds, but with the exception of a number of butterflies and caterpillars, we only saw the footprints of a raccoon.

At a little under 4,000 feet in elevation, this hike is a high desert excursion.  Stormy clouds were an ominous sign, especially when lightning flashed, but the clouds and treetops kept the sun from overheating us during our mid-August outing.  Other hikes and viewpoints, like Sycamore Point just a dozen miles to the northwest - almost a 100 miles by road - offer a higher and cooler exploration in Arizona's other canyon.

View near the Parsons trailhead, into Sycamore Canyon where Sycamore Creek meets the Verde River.

View of the rail line traveling along the Verde River, just near the border of the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Area.

Ancient cliff dwelling along the Verde River.

View of Sycamore Creek and Sycamore Canyon from Parsons Trail trailhead.

Sycamore Creek flowing. 

Cooper's hawk along Sycamore Creek.

Pool of water along Sycamore Creek.

Unidentified butterfly along Sycamore Creek.

Sycamore Creek.

Hairy woodpecker along Sycamore Creek.

Raccoon footprint along Sycamore Creek.

Colorful caterpillar along Sycamore Creek.

Remnants of any ancient dwelling near the Parson Trail trailhead along Sycamore Creek in Sycamore Canyon.

View of Sycamore Canyon and Sycamore Creek from Sycamore Point, a dozen miles up river and a at a much higher elevation.  Another adventure on another day.