Sycamore Falls is actually pretty GPS-friendly. It pays to head out early to secure a space. United States. Mountain biking is allowed on the Sycamore Rim Trail. Normally, you would follow it until you reach the cliff edge with the panoramic views of the waterfall. The Falls trailhead was added in 1988 to provide easy access to the Sycamore Falls at Paradise Forks. But that isn't the only thing that's unusual about Grand Falls. Your email address will not be published. After descending the southeast side of KA Hill, youll cross another unnamed trailhead at FR 56 and begin working your way along an upper branch of Sycamore Canyon. The idea is to ensure that melting snow will cause the falls to flow. The waterfall drops in a series of terraced cascades, creating juicy little swimming holes at every level. Along with the rough surface, you will also encounter steep drop-offs along the way. 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. Continue to Mobile Site . The water trapped at the bottom acquires emerald shade, which further inspires you to visit the secluded realm around Sycamore Falls. The Sycamore Rim Trail is an 11-mile loop, described here in a clockwise direction from the Sycamore Falls Trailhead. The Forest Service suggests high clearance vehicles for the trip. 928-338-4385, www.wmatoutdoor.org. I'm the guy behind DownTheTrail.com. Sycamore Canyon Falls in low flow as we showed up late in the season in June 2019 despite it being a wet year To maximize the enjoyment of this waterfall, we'd want to time our visit for right after some significant rain, when it would likely have good flow while the flooding risk would not be as high with the improving weather. But if the falls are running, they are definitely worth the trip. Use our easy Lodging Search to find exactly the type of accommodation you are looking for at the right price. 626 N Sycamore Ave # 103, Sioux Falls, SD 57110 is a townhouse listed for rent at /mo. Hola! For more details about the specific climbing routes, look here on Mountain Project. If you catch it at the right time Sycamore Falls will make you feel like a kid again exploring all of the ins and outs of the area. During the wet season, a churning flow of muddy, chocolate-hued water rushes over the rock wall, creating a phenomenon unlike any other. The scenic canyon begins in a ponderosa pine forest on the outskirts of Williams and stretches through three national forests all the way to the Verde Valley. The best time to view and photograph Sycamore Falls is on a warm winters day after significant snowfall. It can feel like a party scene at times, but for me, the sheer beauty more than makes up for the crowds. The easiest way to get to the falls is by parking in the lot designated as Sycamore Falls and taking the steep flight of stairs down to the canyon. When you hit the fork, if you choose to go right you will hit the falls in another 0.1 miles or so (0.2) total. From this point forward, Sycamore Canyon will grow increasingly wider and deeper as your hike draws to a close. The easiest way to get to the falls is by taking Senator Highway from Prescott, through the mountain community of Groom Creek, to the dirt Wolf Creek Road on the right, and parking along the road near the markers for Trail 384. On August 19, 2012, I hiked this route with (ahem) another club and found Sycamore Falls flowing. The calcium-rich stream beneath the Mogollon Rim flows at a constant 70 degrees, making this a popular swimming areain the summer. Sycamore Falls also tends to flow at the beginning of spring when snowmelt from higher elevation regions melts. From the parking area, walk the 0.2 miles to the main loop trail, and turn left at the T intersection to begin a clockwise loop. I did drive past a truck stuck in the mud too. If after admiring Sycamore Falls you plan to hike deeper into the woods, make sure you know how to protect yourself from the animals in the wild. Leave Interstate I-40 at exit 178 for Parks, AZ. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Located in popular Sabino Canyon Recreation Area in Tucson, Seven Falls isnt exactly a secret but anytime you can find a multi-tiered waterfall in the desert, make the journey. Today's outdoor adventure features Sycamore Canyon's seasonal waterfall. Visit Sycamore Falls in late fall or winter, and all you find is a tiny dribble running down the cobalt cliff to the emerald pool below. The Ashfork Development Association, along with the Ashfork Museum and Information Center, help to manage the dam and reservoir which are open to the public for recreation and are accessible via a two track road located just north of Historic Route 66. Located near the town of Camp Verde in central Arizona, Fossil Creek is known for its sparkling water that seems to appear out of nowhere, gushing at 20,000 gallons a minute from a series of springs at the bottom of a 1,600-foot-deep canyon. Sycamore Falls is the most popular, and it registers on Google Maps. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. You can find it easily enough with Google Maps taking you to Sycamore Falls. Sycamore Falls Trail, a moderately difficult 1.6 mile out and back, begins as you cross the bridge over Little Fiery Gizzard Creek, just before it meets Big Fiery Gizzard Creek. Date of experience: March 2016 Ask February0212 about Sycamore Canyon Falls Thank February0212 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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 Sycamore falls are seasonal, so the best time to visit is during the spring run-off or after a monsoon storm. Rent a motor home or RV and explore. For an easy trek to a creek spilling down a stone embankment into a picturesque little swimming hole, head to the Water Wheel Falls near the northern Arizona town of Payson. Turn left on White Horse Lake Road. An great day trip from Phoenix it is just 2.5-3 hours to get there or less than an hour from Flagstaff. ) or https:// means you've safely Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. To avoid the crowds, arrive early or plan your trip for mid-week. After driving through the Interstate 17 town of Camp Verde on the paved Highway 260, you will head off on Forest Road 708 and then travel 14 miles down into a canyon over a rough and rocky dirt road. The view above looks west toward Bill Williams Mountain, as seen from KA Hill. Your best bet is to visit after at least a few days of heavy rainfall or snowfall. website belongs to an official government organization in the But what about those waterfalls found outside the Grand Canyon? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND a 4WD vehicle to get here. Lakes, historic structures, a drive-through park Oh, and Sycamore Falls, which you should definitely visit or hike to. 2023 www.azcentral.com. Click here to view them all! Details:White Tank Mountain Regional Park, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell. When we went in winter, it was icy and muddy- if we didnt drive in a 4WD setting, we would have been slipping the whole time. The payoff is pure magic. Hiking Flatiron: One of the Best Hikes in Phoenix Arizona, The Ultimate Arizona Road Trip | Simply Wander, Haunted walking tour of Historic Downtown Flagstaff AZ | Simply Wander, Best things to do in Sedona:How to spend 24hrs in Sedona|Simply Wander, 7 Underrated Spots in Arizona You Need to Visit | Simply Wander, 7 Places to Escape the Crowds in Arizona | Simply Wander, 7 Awesome Hikes in Phoenix Arizona | Simply Wander, Lockett Meadow: The Best Fall Hike in Arizona | Simply Wander, 12 Cool Stops on a Route 66 Road Trip Through Arizona | Simply Wander, How to Experience the Grand Canyon in One Day | Simply Wander, Sycamore Falls: Northern Arizonas Best Kept Secret, Hidden Valley via Mormon Trail: One of the Best Hikes in Phoenix. This part of the upper canyon is home to a pair of springs LO Spring and Dow Spring. Expect to get wet. creek beside the trail flow in one direction for part of the hike and in another the remainder. Log in, We are passionate waterfall lovers eager to share our experiences chasing waterfalls around the world! The hike is home to some of the most impressive waterfalls in Arizona if you come at the right time. Details: From Flagstaff, take Interstate40 east to Winona (Exit 211). Booked a trip to Oahu? In 2016, a permit system was put into place to protect the fragile ecosystem. Your email address will not be published. From Williams, take exit 167 south onto Garland Prairie Road. On the other hand, the trail was dry and easy to walk along. Below I show a picture of the area where there can be flow, and a recent Instagram photo of it flowing (please give the credit to the photographer on Instagram- I am sharing since I havent seen it flowing in person). Lookout towers represent the U.S. Forest Service's long-standing commitment to fire detection and control. Embrace the beauty of the changing colors of the leaves this autumn season. Here you can wade in the creek above and enjoy the serenity. I loved both of my trips to Sycamore Falls for different reasons, so I highly recommend you see it for yourself (even if it isnt flowing). We visited Sycamore Falls at the beginning of April, and it already looked like a trickle. Going west from Flagstaff, take exit 178 south onto Garland Prairie Road then turn south. This water was important to Native Americans, and now it provides a habitat for numerous insects, fish, and frogs. Youll work up a serious sweat,making the rocky pools all the more enticing. Spring, always welcome after a long winter, is the only time of year to catch the 100-foot-high waterfall flowing at Sycamore Canyon just outside Williams, Ariz., in the Kaibab Forest. How tall is Sycamore Falls in Arizona? Hiking 11 miles, however, is not a piece of cake. connected to the .gov website. Monsoon season is between June and Late September. The waterfall is located along the 12-mile Sycamore Rim Trail, which can be accessed at five trailheads along the way. Droves of adventurous hikers make the trek to the extraordinarily photogenic northern Arizona treasure every year. For the majority of long-distance hikers, the visit to the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness is almost never about the falls, but the 11-mile Sycamore Rim Trail. One of the most photographed places in Arizona, Falls only flowing for a short period of each year, Ideal timing is late during spring runoff in February to late March or after monsoons, Take your time and explore the whole area including stopping on the drive for some amazing pictures and views, Instead of the 11 mile trail, just go with the wind and explore at your own pace and distance. 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