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.