Sycamore Canyon

Hiking Sycamore Canyon

By Sara Gamble | Sedona.biz

Sycamore Canyon Wilderness is nestled between the northern Arizona towns of Williams, Flagstaff, and Sedona (click for map), and is the second largest canyon in Red Rock Country behind Oak Creek Canyon.  Although it lies about 15 miles west of 89-A north of Sedona, the closest access route from Sedona is via Route 66 through Flagstaff.

This beautiful and stunning canyon with almost fifty-six thousand acres abruptly emerges from the surrounding Ponderosa Pine forests near Williams and becomes a desert canyon as it approaches the Verde Valley.  The canyon crosses three national forests:  Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott. Varied terrain, relics from Native American and cowboy habitation, diverse vegetation, and copious wildlife make each excursion intriguing.

Sycamore Canyon

The Dorsey Springs Trail (click for trail map) is a nice introduction to the area, short (about 3 miles round trip) and relatively flat until the final quarter mile, it winds through gently sloping forest land and then descends part way into the canyon, ending at a secluded spring. 

In the springtime, this area is especially appealing; from the vibrant blue Lupine blossoms, and the delicate white lace of Yarrow flowers at the higher elevations, to the bold yellow spires of the Century Plant, and the plump, fleeting blooms of the Prickly Pear deeper within the canyon.  After about a quarter of a mile, the Hog Hill Trail branches off to the left, headed to its junction with the Kelsey Springs and Winter Cabin Trails just short of the namesake cabin.  The Dorsey Trail continues through this forest for the majority of its existence. 

Sycamore Canyon

Ancient Juniper, whose branches have grown together over the years into one gnarled mass, punctuate the butterscotch-scented pine forest.  Fresh green foliage of the Gambel Oak sometimes reaches across the thin trail, their velvet leaves ready to caress passing travelers.  Just before the trail begins to descend, Agave and Juniper proliferate.  Here, a short side trip to the canyon edge affords sweeping views of the northern section of Sycamore Canyon and the surrounding hills. 

From this point, the trail follows a seasonal creek bed down a small side canyon, and then levels off for a few hundred feet as it traverses a pine grove deeply carpeted with needles. 

The final descent weaves through a smattering of increasingly lush greenery, culminating

Iris

The canyon’s eastern rim is best reached by taking 89-A north from Sedona until it turns into Beulah Blvd just within the Flagstaff city limits.  Turn left at the second stoplight (Forest Meadows Rd.) and continue to the top of the hill, at the forth stop light, turn left onto Route 66.  After about 2 miles, turn left onto FR 231 (Woody Mountain Rd.) continue south past the Arboretum and new housing developments about 14.5 miles until FR 538 departs to the right at a crossroads.  After about six miles, a sign marks the right hand turn heading toward the Dorsey and Kelsey Springs Trailheads.  From here, the road grows rougher, presenting a challenging journey for low clearance vehicles.  One half mile further the road splits, a left hand turn leads to the Dorsey Trailhead, while a right leads toward Kelsey Springs Trailhead.  From here out, a high clearance vehicle is necessary, however there is ample room for parking, and the added quarter mile hike is a pleasant one.  FR 231 is well maintained, although often covered with washboards.  An alternate route which is longer, and rougher due to multiple creek crossings, but more scenic, is to follow FR 231 an additional 6.7 miles past the turn for FR 538 to a right on FR 231-A, which connects to FR 538 closer to the trailheads for Winter Cabin and Taylor Cabin Trails.

Sycamore Canyon

The western rim of the canyon is accessible by FR 141 from Parks and S. 4^th Street from Williams.  There are many beautiful lakes in this region, and after a long but well maintained succession of gravel and dirt roads, Sycamore Point offers a panoramic view of the red canyon walls covered with greenery, grey rim rocks, and the San Francisco Peaks.  The overlook is located at the end of FR 110, and the route from either direction is well signed.  Both access points to the western rim can be reached by following I-40 East out of Flagstaff.  Once 89-A has turned into Beulah Blvd., watch for a right hand turn (3^rd stop light) to access the freeway onramp.

Regardless of the approach you take to Sycamore Canyon, the wild beauty and serene seclusion is incredible.  This area has remained so pristine due to careful visitors.  Mechanized travel off-road is prohibited throughout the area, however equestrian travel is a pleasant option on many of the trails.  There are a multitude of special treasures within this wilderness area, more and more of which can be discovered with each exploration.

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