Uploads from Al_HikesAZ, tagged country, with geodata

Tonto Basin - life is simpler here

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:06:25 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

Tonto Basin is about 15 miles north of the Roosevelt Lake Dam. Nearest place for food, gas, and supplies. Well stocked little store. Great local color at the saloon.
Hwy 188 Sign 259 Tonto Basin, AZ 85553

Butcher Hook Restaurant
(928) 479-2712
www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g31385-d514006-Revi...

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Jake's Corner Store

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:06:25 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

Jake's Corners is about 3 miles back south on AZ 188 after the AZ 87 - Beeline Highway intersection on the way to Payson. I stopped here early on a Friday morning on the way to Roosevelt Lake.
57510 Arizona 188 Payson, AZ 85541

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Jakes Corner Bar - Arizona Backroads

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:32:44 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

Jake's Corner is about 3 miles back south on AZ 188 after the AZ 87 - Beeline Highway intersection on the way to Payson. I stopped here early on a Friday morning on the way to Roosevelt Lake and the bikers were already in for some "hair of the dog" :)
57510 Arizona 188 Payson, AZ 85541

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Jakes Corner Bar - Arizona Backroads

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:32:44 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

Vultee Arch - Sedona

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 18:21:24 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

Vultee Arch is a popular, short hike north of Sedona. Getting to the trail head on Dry Creek Road is an adventure in itself. High clearance, 4WD definitely recommended.

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View south down Secret Canyon from near David Miller trail summit - Sedona

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 18:21:24 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

The David Miller Trail is a short, steep connector trail between the Secret Canyon Trail and the Bear Canyon Trail and combines them into a nice loop. This is near the little summit on the David Miller Trail.

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Vultee Arch - Final approach - Sedona

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:01:25 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

Vultee Arch is a popular, short hike north of Sedona. Getting to the trail head on Dry Creek Road is an adventure in itself. High clearance, 4WD definitely recommended.

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Vultee Arch - final final approach from east - Sedona

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:01:25 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

Vultee Arch is a popular, short hike north of Sedona. Getting to the trail head on Dry Creek Road is an adventure in itself. High clearance, 4WD definitely recommended.

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Vultee Arch - east side above - Sedona

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:01:26 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

Vultee Arch is a popular, short hike north of Sedona. Getting to the trail head on Dry Creek Road is an adventure in itself. High clearance, 4WD definitely recommended.

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Vultee Arch - view down approach canyon - Sedona

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 21:30:38 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

Vultee Arch is a popular, short hike north of Sedona. Getting to the trail head on Dry Creek Road is an adventure in itself. High clearance, 4WD definitely recommended.

hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=138
thehikehouse.com/trails/vultee-arch-trail

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Vultee Arch - Sedona

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 21:30:38 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

Parsons Spring Trail #144 - the upstream pool

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Sun, 27 May 2012 20:05:52 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

This pool is upstream from the Blue Pool on Parsons Trail #144 along Sycamore Creek.between the second and third crossing.

This is north of Clarkdale and the Verde Valley in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness.
hikearizona.com/x.php?I=4&ZTN=86&UID=21152

www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xL...
Sycamore Canyon. The second largest canyon to emerge from Arizona's Red Rock Country is a lesser known but just as scenic cousin of famous Oak Creek Canyon. But you won't find any roads, developed campgrounds or crowds in Sycamore Canyon, just 55,937 acres of wilderness marked by colorful cliffs, soaring pinnacles and one of the world's rarest habitats, a desert riparian area. The wilderness encompasses all of Sycamore Canyon from its forested rim near Williams, Arizona to its desert canyon mouth in the Verde Valley. This area is home to black bear and mountain lion as well as a number of less celebrated but just as notable creatures.

This area is sufficiently unique to have been the first in Arizona to be designated a Primitive Area. It later became a Wilderness Area in the 1984 Arizona Wilderness Act. A number of trails provide access to its beautiful and fragile landscape. This guide mentions only the most prominent. Those who wish to explore further will find much to reward their efforts.

www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xL...
The hike up the Parsons Trail is a pleasant stroll along a cool, clear desert stream set in a magnificent red rock canyon. Sycamore Canyon is a place sufficiently unique to have been one of the first areas protected as wilderness in Arizona. The trail leads through the lower reaches of this wilderness through a riparian area rich in plant and animal life.

Colorful cliffs that are a unique mix of dark columnar basalt, red sandstone, and buff colored limestone enclose the lush green of the oasis. The trail leads 4 miles to a large pool called Parson Springs where this considerable stream springs to the surface from the underground course it has followed through the majority of the canyon. Up canyon from this point surface flow only occurs during snowmelt and after summer monsoons.

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Parsons Spring Trail #144 - the upstream pool

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Sun, 27 May 2012 20:05:39 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

Parsons Spring Trail #144 - the pool variations - Sycamore Canyon wilderness

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Sat, 26 May 2012 19:17:18 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

A variation on a theme. Different views of the blue pool and reflection on the Parsons Trail #144 in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness.

This is north of Clarkdale and the Verde Valley in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness.
hikearizona.com/x.php?I=4&ZTN=86&UID=21152

www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xL...
Sycamore Canyon. The second largest canyon to emerge from Arizona's Red Rock Country is a lesser known but just as scenic cousin of famous Oak Creek Canyon. But you won't find any roads, developed campgrounds or crowds in Sycamore Canyon, just 55,937 acres of wilderness marked by colorful cliffs, soaring pinnacles and one of the world's rarest habitats, a desert riparian area. The wilderness encompasses all of Sycamore Canyon from its forested rim near Williams, Arizona to its desert canyon mouth in the Verde Valley. This area is home to black bear and mountain lion as well as a number of less celebrated but just as notable creatures.

This area is sufficiently unique to have been the first in Arizona to be designated a Primitive Area. It later became a Wilderness Area in the 1984 Arizona Wilderness Act. A number of trails provide access to its beautiful and fragile landscape. This guide mentions only the most prominent. Those who wish to explore further will find much to reward their efforts.

www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xL...
The hike up the Parsons Trail is a pleasant stroll along a cool, clear desert stream set in a magnificent red rock canyon. Sycamore Canyon is a place sufficiently unique to have been one of the first areas protected as wilderness in Arizona. The trail leads through the lower reaches of this wilderness through a riparian area rich in plant and animal life.

Colorful cliffs that are a unique mix of dark columnar basalt, red sandstone, and buff colored limestone enclose the lush green of the oasis. The trail leads 4 miles to a large pool called Parson Springs where this considerable stream springs to the surface from the underground course it has followed through the majority of the canyon. Up canyon from this point surface flow only occurs during snowmelt and after summer monsoons.

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Parsons Spring Trail #144 - the pool variations - Sycamore Canyon Wilderness

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Sat, 26 May 2012 19:17:03 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

Parsons Spring Trail #144 - gate at Trailhead

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:46:04 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

It struck me as funny that they had the sign posted "Gate must be kept closed". This gate doesn't amount to much whether open or closed. And "No Camping withing 3.7 miles". What is that 5km? why not 3.71 miles? Actually 3.7 miles is just on the other side of the 5th creek crossing.

This is north of Clarkdale and the Verde Valley in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. Packard Trail heads up to the left and Parsons Trail #144 continues along the creek.
hikearizona.com/x.php?I=4&ZTN=86&UID=21152

www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xL...
Sycamore Canyon. The second largest canyon to emerge from Arizona's Red Rock Country is a lesser known but just as scenic cousin of famous Oak Creek Canyon. But you won't find any roads, developed campgrounds or crowds in Sycamore Canyon, just 55,937 acres of wilderness marked by colorful cliffs, soaring pinnacles and one of the world's rarest habitats, a desert riparian area. The wilderness encompasses all of Sycamore Canyon from its forested rim near Williams, Arizona to its desert canyon mouth in the Verde Valley. This area is home to black bear and mountain lion as well as a number of less celebrated but just as notable creatures.

This area is sufficiently unique to have been the first in Arizona to be designated a Primitive Area. It later became a Wilderness Area in the 1984 Arizona Wilderness Act. A number of trails provide access to its beautiful and fragile landscape. This guide mentions only the most prominent. Those who wish to explore further will find much to reward their efforts.

www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xL...
The hike up the Parsons Trail is a pleasant stroll along a cool, clear desert stream set in a magnificent red rock canyon. Sycamore Canyon is a place sufficiently unique to have been one of the first areas protected as wilderness in Arizona. The trail leads through the lower reaches of this wilderness through a riparian area rich in plant and animal life.

Colorful cliffs that are a unique mix of dark columnar basalt, red sandstone, and buff colored limestone enclose the lush green of the oasis. The trail leads 4 miles to a large pool called Parson Springs where this considerable stream springs to the surface from the underground course it has followed through the majority of the canyon. Up canyon from this point surface flow only occurs during snowmelt and after summer monsoons.

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Cottonwood Arch - Parsons Spring Trail #144

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:46:21 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

This old cottonwood tree had split off at this branch and formed an arch that I could simply walk under.

This is north of Clarkdale and the Verde Valley in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. Packard Trail heads up to the left and Parsons Trail #144 continues along the creek.
hikearizona.com/x.php?I=4&ZTN=86&UID=21152

www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xL...
Sycamore Canyon. The second largest canyon to emerge from Arizona's Red Rock Country is a lesser known but just as scenic cousin of famous Oak Creek Canyon. But you won't find any roads, developed campgrounds or crowds in Sycamore Canyon, just 55,937 acres of wilderness marked by colorful cliffs, soaring pinnacles and one of the world's rarest habitats, a desert riparian area. The wilderness encompasses all of Sycamore Canyon from its forested rim near Williams, Arizona to its desert canyon mouth in the Verde Valley. This area is home to black bear and mountain lion as well as a number of less celebrated but just as notable creatures.

This area is sufficiently unique to have been the first in Arizona to be designated a Primitive Area. It later became a Wilderness Area in the 1984 Arizona Wilderness Act. A number of trails provide access to its beautiful and fragile landscape. This guide mentions only the most prominent. Those who wish to explore further will find much to reward their efforts.

www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xL...
The hike up the Parsons Trail is a pleasant stroll along a cool, clear desert stream set in a magnificent red rock canyon. Sycamore Canyon is a place sufficiently unique to have been one of the first areas protected as wilderness in Arizona. The trail leads through the lower reaches of this wilderness through a riparian area rich in plant and animal life.

Colorful cliffs that are a unique mix of dark columnar basalt, red sandstone, and buff colored limestone enclose the lush green of the oasis. The trail leads 4 miles to a large pool called Parson Springs where this considerable stream springs to the surface from the underground course it has followed through the majority of the canyon. Up canyon from this point surface flow only occurs during snowmelt and after summer monsoons.

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Parsons Spring Trail #144 - Sycamore Creek - Sycamore Canyon Wilderness

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:02:05 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

This is the view on the short descent/ascent near the trailhead. Those Cottonwood and Sycamore trees should have gorgeous colors in the Fall. This is north of Clarkdale and the Verde Valley in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. When you reach the creek, Packard Trail heads up to the left and Parsons Trail #144 continues along the creek.

hikearizona.com/x.php?I=4&ZTN=86&UID=21152

www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xL...
Sycamore Canyon. The second largest canyon to emerge from Arizona's Red Rock Country is a lesser known but just as scenic cousin of famous Oak Creek Canyon. But you won't find any roads, developed campgrounds or crowds in Sycamore Canyon, just 55,937 acres of wilderness marked by colorful cliffs, soaring pinnacles and one of the world's rarest habitats, a desert riparian area. The wilderness encompasses all of Sycamore Canyon from its forested rim near Williams, Arizona to its desert canyon mouth in the Verde Valley. This area is home to black bear and mountain lion as well as a number of less celebrated but just as notable creatures.

This area is sufficiently unique to have been the first in Arizona to be designated a Primitive Area. It later became a Wilderness Area in the 1984 Arizona Wilderness Act. A number of trails provide access to its beautiful and fragile landscape. This guide mentions only the most prominent. Those who wish to explore further will find much to reward their efforts.

www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xL...
The hike up the Parsons Trail is a pleasant stroll along a cool, clear desert stream set in a magnificent red rock canyon. Sycamore Canyon is a place sufficiently unique to have been one of the first areas protected as wilderness in Arizona. The trail leads through the lower reaches of this wilderness through a riparian area rich in plant and animal life.

Colorful cliffs that are a unique mix of dark columnar basalt, red sandstone, and buff colored limestone enclose the lush green of the oasis. The trail leads 4 miles to a large pool called Parson Springs where this considerable stream springs to the surface from the underground course it has followed through the majority of the canyon. Up canyon from this point surface flow only occurs during snowmelt and after summer monsoons.

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Parsons Spring Trail #144 - the pool

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:29:21 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

Nice little hike on the Parsons Trail #144, the Parsons Spring Trail. This is north of Clarkdale and the Verde Valley in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. I think this is called the "Blue Pool".
hikearizona.com/x.php?I=4&ZTN=86&UID=21152

www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xL...
Sycamore Canyon. The second largest canyon to emerge from Arizona's Red Rock Country is a lesser known but just as scenic cousin of famous Oak Creek Canyon. But you won't find any roads, developed campgrounds or crowds in Sycamore Canyon, just 55,937 acres of wilderness marked by colorful cliffs, soaring pinnacles and one of the world's rarest habitats, a desert riparian area. The wilderness encompasses all of Sycamore Canyon from its forested rim near Williams, Arizona to its desert canyon mouth in the Verde Valley. This area is home to black bear and mountain lion as well as a number of less celebrated but just as notable creatures.

This area is sufficiently unique to have been the first in Arizona to be designated a Primitive Area. It later became a Wilderness Area in the 1984 Arizona Wilderness Act. A number of trails provide access to its beautiful and fragile landscape. This guide mentions only the most prominent. Those who wish to explore further will find much to reward their efforts.

www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xL...
The hike up the Parsons Trail is a pleasant stroll along a cool, clear desert stream set in a magnificent red rock canyon. Sycamore Canyon is a place sufficiently unique to have been one of the first areas protected as wilderness in Arizona. The trail leads through the lower reaches of this wilderness through a riparian area rich in plant and animal life.

Colorful cliffs that are a unique mix of dark columnar basalt, red sandstone, and buff colored limestone enclose the lush green of the oasis. The trail leads 4 miles to a large pool called Parson Springs where this considerable stream springs to the surface from the underground course it has followed through the majority of the canyon. Up canyon from this point surface flow only occurs during snowmelt and after summer monsoons.

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Indian Paint Brush - Loy Canyon - Sedona

nobody@flickr.com (Al_HikesAZ) — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:43:45 -0700

Al_HikesAZ posted a photo:

This is an Indian Paintbrust -- Castillja sp. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castilleja

I went hiking in Loy Canyon west of Sedona in the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness.

www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/hiking/recare...
Loy Canyon Trail #5
This easy to hike trail leads up a desert wilderness canyon offering excellent views not only at trail's end, but all along the way as well. The wide, well constructed path was used by the Samuel Loy family on the 1880's to move their livestock to and from summer pastures on the rim. The trail starts out by skirting the fence line of the Hancock Ranch. Sheer cliffs of vermilion and buff sandstone form a colorful backdrop for the desert garden of manzanita, catclaw, cholla and prickly pear that carpets the canyon floor. Natural rock sculptures carved by flash floods and spring runoff that seasonally course down this normally dry streambed provide scenic settings for lunch stops along the way. If there's been a recent rain the sculpture may include a picturesque reflecting pool or a natural bathtub for a cool dip on a hot day. Underground moisture is sufficient year-round to support a desert riparian area rich in bird and other animal life.
Near the end of the canyon, the trail completes the majority of the 1680 foot climb to a high saddle that leads to the top of a mesa called Secret Mountain. Here you can continue along the Secret Mountain Trail for more spectacular overlooks or catch your breath for the return trip and a different perspective on all that you've passed through on the hike up.
Rating: Moderate (last two miles difficult)
Hiking time: 6 hours round trip
Notes: No motorized vehicles, no mechanized vehicles in Wilderness

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