Sycamore Canyon

Location: Coconino National Forest, Prescott National Forest, Kaibab National Forest

Overview: Sycamore Canyon splits three national forests. This canyon is huge and very long. Its length is some 35 miles from Scholz Lake to the Verde River. There are no technical sections. The highest rating is a 2B. Several sections of the canyon can be explored. Its entirety would take several days to explore.

Approach 1 upper canyon:
Rating: Basic canyoneering 2B III
Length: 6-10 hours (10 miles round trip)
Longest Rappel: None
Start: Sycamore Rim Trailhead
End:  There and Back
Permits: None
Wet Suit: Not needed
Shuttle: No (optional)
From Flagstaff head west to Parks. Exit 178 (Garland Prairie Rd) and head south for 9.1 miles. Continue west when Garland Prairie Rd turns north 9 miles from Parks. After another mile on Fr #13 turn right on Forest Service Rd #56. Drive 2.6 miles to its end. The idea is to explore down-canyon 5 miles and then head back. You’ll pass two small canyons that come in from the east. The second drainage is your point of return. Getting to the bottom of the canyon from the parking spot will require some creativity. Bring a full length 60m rope that will be fixed but is not needed to get to the bottom of the Sycamore Canyon. A shuttle can be set up on Forest Service Rd #538G (Kelsey Springs Trailhead - below), however due to the length of setting up the shuttle and the network of dirt roads; I find it best to travel there and back. The second drainage that comes in from the east also marks the area where Geronimo Spring is located and the Kelsey trailhead if you set up a shuttle.

Approach 2 upper middle canyon:
Rating: Basic canyoneering 2B III
Length: 12-16 hours or 2 days (12-18 miles round trip)
Longest Rappel: None
Start: Kelsey Springs Trailhead
End:  There and Back
Permits: None
Wet Suit: Not needed
Shuttle: No (optional)
From Flagstaff  head west on Rout 66 then turn south on Mountain Rd #231 (Woody Mountain Rd). Follow for 12.1 miles to Rd#538. Follow Rd#538 for 5.5 miles west to Rd#538G. At Rd#538G intersection head north 2 miles to Kelsey Trailhead. Follow trail to Sycamore Canyon. The idea is to explore the southern part of the canyon from Geronimo Springs to Taylor Cabin (approximately 9 miles one direction). Explore as much as desired. Set up a shuttle at Dogie Trailhead - below. Distance from Kelsey Trailhead to Dogie Trailhead approximately 17miles. This part of the canyon contains the only narrows within the canyon.

Approach 3 lower middle canyon:
Rating: Basic canyoneering 2B III
Length: 12-16 hours (12-16 miles round trip)
Longest Rappel: None
Start: Dogie Trailhead
End:  There and Back
Permits: None
Wet Suit: Not needed
Shuttle: No
From Sedona head west on Hwy89A about 6 miles to Loy Butt Dr or Rd#525. Follow Loy Butt approximately 2.8mile and turn left onto Sycamore Pass. Follow Sycamore Pass approximately 8.3 miles to Dogie Trailhead. The idea here is to explore the northern section of Sycamore Canyon to Taylor Cabin, approximately 8 miles from parking lot. The Southern section can also be explored to Parsons Springs, a much cooler section of the canyon where water holes can be found – approx 6 miles to Parsons Springs from Dogie Trailhead.

Approach 4 lower canyon:
Rating: Basic canyoneering 2B III
Length: 3-8 hours (8 miles round trip)
Longest Rappel: None
Start: Sycamore Canyon Trailhead
End:  There and Back
Permits: None
Wet Suit: Not needed
Shuttle: No
Form Hwy89A head toward Clarkdale on Clarkdale Parkway – Just northwest of Cottonwood. Follow Main St. to S. Broadway. Head south (right) on S. Broadway. Turn east (left) on Tuzigoot Rd. Follow Tusigoot Rd. to Sycamore Canyon Rd. Head north on Sycamore Canyon Rd. all the way to the Sycamore Canyon, Parsons & Packards Trailheads. Explore the north part of the canyon to Parsons Springs, about 4 mile up canyon.