Photos by Mare Czinar Parsons Trail

PARSONS TRAIL
 
Sycamore Canyon Wilderness
Near Clarksdale

The cool spring water that gurgles to the surface year round in the lower portion of Sycamore Canyon attracts a motley crew of outdoor enthusiasts. You’re bound to run into hikers, backpackers, birdwatchers, rambunctious kids, ecstatic Labrador retrievers and the occasional group of skinny dippers. Most of the commotion ends after the first mile, where the going gets a bit too rough for the casual hiker.

The trail starts with a steep 300-foot descent into the canyon (remember this for the way back) and is marked by a series of sometimes hard-to-find cairns made of river rocks wired into 50-gallon, drum-size cylinders. Rains and floods change the terrain frequently, so pay attention along the way. Hiking sticks come in handy for the many creek crossings.

Dense riparian vegetation – including wild grapes, holly, squash, reeds and cat-o-nine tails – flourishes in the moist, sandy soil around the seep areas and springs. Several deep pools along the way are suitable for swimming – you’ll find one of the best in a beautiful cove surrounded by limestone ledges under a canopy of sycamore and walnut trees. Here’s where most hikers succumb to the urge to shed their boots and just hang out.

HIGHLIGHTS: spectacular canyon, swimming holes, riparian
forests

LENGTH: 7 miles round trip

ELEVATION: 3,700-3,200 feet

RATING: easy

DOG RATING: ***

DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 150 miles one way (2.5 hours)

GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, travel north on I-17 for 90 miles to exit 287 for AZ 260. Go left (west) on 260 and continue for 14 miles to the town of Cottonwood. Once in Cottonwood, go straight through town on Main Street and Broadway (US 89A), following the signs to Tuzigoot National Monument toward the town of Clarksdale. Turn right onto the signed road to Tuzigoot, cross the Verde River Bridge (at the half-mile point) and take the first left onto Sycamore Canyon Road (CR 139). The road turns into maintained dirt and then merges into Forest Road 131. Continue for 10.5 miles following FR 131 and the Sycamore Canyon road signs to the trailhead, where there are no facilities. The dirt roads are passable by sedan, but a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.

INFO: Red Rock Ranger District, 928-282-4119,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/parsons-tr.shtml

Horton Creek

HORTON CREEK

Tonto National Forest
near Payson

Situated in the cool streamside forests beneath the Mogollon Rim, this hike is the perfect respite from the Valley’s heat. In summer, the woods are thick with wild roses, canyon grape and fields of ferns that attract myriad butterflies and bees. Much of the trail parallels Horton Creek, where shore birds including cranes and egrets can be heard squawking and seen diving for fish. At the 3.5-mile point, go right at the Highline Trail junction to visit Horton Spring, where icy water gushes from a moss-covered escarpment spilling into the creek below.

HIGHLIGHTS: wild roses, butterflies

LENGTH: 8 miles round trip

ELEVATION: 5,360-6,420 feet

RATING: moderate

DOG RATING: ***   

DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 108 miles one way (1.8 hours)

GETTING THERE: From the junction of AZ 87 and AZ 260 in Payson, go right (east) and continue on 260 for just under 17 miles (near milepost 268), turn left onto Fish Hatchery Road (Forest Road 289) and go 1 mile to the parking area. From the parking area, hike back down the road, cross the bridge and follow the road to Horton Campground and the signed trailhead.

INFO: Payson Ranger District, 602-225-5200,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/recreation/rogs/hikingtrail/prd/HortonCreekTrail285.pdf

Redrock Spring

REDROCK SPRING

Tonto National Forest
near Payson

This short but steep route was originally built to drive cattle up to summer pastures on the Mogollon Rim. Redrock Spring provided a handy watering hole for thirsty bovines on their long and arduous trip. Although the cattle population on the Rim has dwindled, the spring runs year round, filling a concrete trough beneath the sprawling arms of a gigantic ponderosa pine. From the spring’s idyllic vantage point, views of the Mazatzal Mountains blush mauve on the horizon.

This reliable water source attracts myriad critters, including fox, deer, raccoons, elk and hawks. To spot these shy forest residents, find a shady spot nearby, stay quiet and keep an eye on the trough.

HIGHLIGHTS: short hike, a mountain spring, abundant critters

LENGTH: 2 miles round trip

ELEVATION: 5,390-6,000 feet

RATING: moderate

DOG RATING: **  

DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 115 miles one way (2 hours)

GETTING THERE: From the intersection of AZ 87 and AZ 260 in Payson, go north on 87 to Control Road (milepost 265), turn right (east) and go 2.5 miles to the trailhead on the left. The trailhead is marked only by a small “294” sign. There’s no parking lot – just find a spot in the turnouts along the road.

INFO: Payson Ranger District, 928-474-7900, www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/recreation/rogs/hikingtrail/prd/RedRockTrail294.pdf