Continue straight as the trail descends back into the ravine at the Pomeroy Tanks. Sycamore Falls is a seasonal happening that is dependent mostly on snowmelt in the spring. In the off seasons from the snow and rains, there usually no flow over the falls but a limited amount of water will reside at the bottom and in the fall the Oak and Sycamore trees change displaying beautiful colors. A hundred feet tall, water cascading down three levels, and georgeous views from three sides of the misty canyon the falls had cut over the years. The idea is to ensure that melting snow will cause the falls to flow. Partez l'aventure sur cet itinraire en boucle de 0,8-km prs de Williams, Arizona. Even though we happened upon the rim trail on accident, I do think it is beautiful and would recommend it after seeing the main falls. To avoid the crowds, arrive early or plan your trip for mid-week. Make a hard right, continuing to follow Garland Prairie for 2 more miles. What Is Rental Car Insurance Coverage? The Forest Service developed the historic trail for recreational use, but its seemingly non-existent in places, and difficult to follow. I feel that going clockwise is best, as it gets the elevation out of the way early in the hike, and saves the best views for last. Drive FR 109 about 5 miles to the Sycamore Rim trailhead. Late spring, early summer, and fall are the best times to visit. Heres what the USFS interpretive sign has to say about the sawmill site: The history of Williams and the surrounding area includes the boom of the lumber industry. The sun sets behind the falls, so the best time for photos is in the morning or at sunset. Stop by historical Williams, Arizona before or after your trip. The waterfall is located along the 12-mile Sycamore Rim Trail, which can be accessed at five trailheads along the way. Mitzi Walkup October 17, 2022 Hiking Absolutely beautiful fall hike. For more details about the specific climbing routes, look here on Mountain Project. Fossil Creek is very remote. Pro Tip: Weather conditions vary widely throughout Arizona. The 70-foot falls doesnt make you neither walk nor wait long. Remaining snowpack on the rim can add a nice quality to your photos, too. Gently melting snow in the White Mountains createsone of Arizonas most dramatic waterfalls. Make your own route down the gradually descending hill, staying as close as possible to the official trail. The remains of this sawmill and the railroad ties to the north are a reminder of the beginnings of an industry that still thrives today. But consider the payoff: the roar of rushing water in an otherwise barren landscape. Request these additional visitor guides selected below. 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. 928-810-8501, www.discovernavajo.com. The Best Free Camping Near Sedona, Arizona, Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in Phoenix, Arizona, The Best Weekend Itinerary in Sedona, Arizona. Go about15 miles and turn left on Navajo Road 70. Cindy Barks is an Arizona-based newspaper reporter, freelance travel writer, and travel blogger. Im Danielle, a midwesterner turned desert rat with a passion for the outdoors. Fossil Creek Road (Forest Road 708) is occasionally closed if weather or other factors create dangerous conditions. There are multiple viewpoints on the ledge- please be careful here! 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. You can see a map of the permit area and parking locations here: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd492963.pdf. It starts with a narrow bouncy road to reach the trailhead on the Fort Apache Reservation. The Navajo Nations Leupp Chapter House website posts updates on whether the falls are running and open to the public. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (purchases through affiliate links earn commission), Copyright 2023 Down The Trail - All Rights Reserved - legal statements - contact, Wave Cave Hiking Guide - Phoenix AZ, Superstitions - Permits & Parking, Fall Colors on Oak Creek's West Fork Trail - Sedona's Best Hike, Ford Canyon Trail and Mesquite Loop - White Tanks, Buckeye AZ, Hike Picacho Peak via the Hunter Trail - State Park Info - Map & Deaths. If youre coming from Phoenix, both of these routes are great and are only a few minutes difference. From spring-fed beauties that run year-around to seasonal wonders that gush only during wet times, waterfalls are the hidden gems of Arizonas network of rivers and canyons. Hiking along the cliff edge above the gorge formed by Sycamore Creek, they inevitably come across the two seasonal waterfalls. Sycamore Falls Loop - off-trail hike along the upper end of the west branch of Sycamore Canyon, descending via a steep, bouldery side drainage and climbing up the north fork of Sycamore Falls . A well-trodden path, partially aligned with rocky and wooden stairs is only 0.25 mile long. Drive south for 3.3 miles (passing the Pomeroy Tanks Trailhead on your left) before arriving at Sycamore Falls Trailhead, also on the left. On August 19, 2012, I hiked this route with (ahem) another club and found Sycamore Falls flowing. Home to diverse species of plants and animals, the area belongs to the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. Searchable list of Phoenix tour companies, guides and outfitters, rental companies and more. You will quickly pass a railway and the road turns into FR141. Details: From Payson, drive 17 miles east on State Route260. 928-203-2900, www.fs.usda.gov/coconino. Parks is about 18 miles west of Flagstaff, and 15 miles east of Williams. Monsoon season is between June and Late September. From here you can also hop on the entire Sycamore Falls trail leading you to pools, views Pomeroy Tanks and more. To the left is the 70 foot falls and the other seasonal falls between those and Sycamore Falls going from left (70 foot falls) to right (Sycamore Falls). The natural attraction sits about 15 miles from historic Williams along a dirt forest road, at the upper head of the canyon at Paradise Fork. Just be aware that the rim of the canyon marks a Wilderness Area, so biking is prohibited within the canyon. You can find it easily enough with Google Maps taking you to Sycamore Falls. In 2016, a permit system was put into place to protect the fragile ecosystem. Your email address will not be published. Follow this for 9 miles, then turn right onto FR109 or White House Lake Road- there is an obvious sign. The silt-laden water gives the falls a rich chocolate color that would make Willy Wonka envious. Drive 8.5 miles until the road dead-ends at the Little Colorado River. Her blog, NearandFarAZ gives readers an insider's view of the wonders of the U.S. Southwest, and a traveler's take on far-off locales from Panama to Hong Kong to the Czech Republic. Neither of these intrigued me at first, though. While the falls at Havasupai are the stars of the western portion of the Grand Canyon, the North Rim area of Grand Canyon National Park has waterfalls of its own, thanks to the flow of canyon creeks. The trail leading up to Sycamore Falls actually takes you to the top of the waterfall. The locals, however, stick to a more appealing name when referring to the Sycamore Canyon region near Williams. In 0.1 mile, you will come to a fork. You will have the best chance of seeing water in the falls by going in the late winter or early spring (February or March), when the snow is melting at higher elevations. MY FIRST TRIP: Early April 2019, no flow (but it was a few days prior!! Sycamore Falls also tends to flow at the beginning of spring when snowmelt from higher elevation regions melts. Water Wheel Falls is a popular destination for families, especially during hot summer weather. ft. townhouse is a 2 bed, 2.0 bath unit. I hope to use my knowledge to help prepare others to be safe outdoors. Follow this for 3 miles and you will see a turn off to the left (look for the restroom hut) for the small dirt parking area. Theres no service in the area, so download your. The Stone and Steel Dams were built by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad to store water for use for the railroad operations. Dont get too close to the edge, especially when the rocks are wet. He left pretty soon, leaving the entire area to us to explore. But a natural pool created by the colossal basalt cliffs undoubtably indicates on the presence of the waterfall. Pro Tip: The best times to catch water in the falls are March, during the snowmelt, and August during the monsoon rains. It spills downslope, dropping in a series of little cascades. If you have enough time, be sure to visit both members of Sycamore Falls. 928-635-8200, www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab. I promised myself from now on, I wont live more than 15 minutes from a trail. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended. The best time to view and photograph Sycamore Falls is on a warm winters day after significant snowfall. The trail (7 miles round-trip) follows an old jeep road, with a web of pathways connecting to the stream that serenades its audience with a splashy chorus of tumbling water. A Cibecue Falls Access Permit is required. Your email address will not be published. Pro Tip: The best times to hike into the Grand Canyon are spring and fall. From this point forward, Sycamore Canyon will grow increasingly wider and deeper as your hike draws to a close. 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. Sycamore Falls is a 12-foot-tall waterfall tucked away in this Tennessee wilderness. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. If youre extremely lucky, both arms of the canyon will be flowing but theyre most often dry. To find and visit Sycamore Falls, venture into the Kaibab National Forest in Northern Arizona. We visited Sycamore Falls on a Saturday afternoon, and there was only one person lingering nearby. The next best time to try and see the falls is in the summer months particularly July and August immediately after theres been a monsoon thunderstorm. Rent a motor home or RV and explore. The 72-degree water is laden with calcium, which has created beautiful travertine formations, along with the fossils for which the area is named. 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). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The trip to Grand Falls includes a drive over remote Navajo Nation roads, as well as about 10 miles over a somewhat rough dirt road. After traversing the ravine that holds the tanks, youll cross FR 139 at a nameless trailhead and begin a gentle ascent through open forest. There are no roads too smooth or too bumpy to steer you away from new experiences and discoveries. Drive north 2.3 miles, then turn right on Leupp Road. The water trapped at the bottom acquires emerald shade, which further inspires you to visit the secluded realm around Sycamore Falls. Here you can wade in the creek above and enjoy the serenity. Links to e-commerce sites earn commission. The 1,050 sq. Regardless of the destination, her goal is to find the perfect scenic hike, city walk, beach stroll, or road-trip jaunt, and bring it to life in her blog. Turn left on Tonto Creek Road and continue to the campground where the trail begins. Haley and I camped nearby in the forest on the previous night. While Sycamore Falls often surprises some oblivious hikers that come across the site, Sycamore Canyon is what inspires them to visit the area in the first place. Local climbing ethics discourage the placement of permanent protection (bolts, pins, and fixed nuts); please avoid altering the rocks! All falls are pretty seasonal so be sure to try and see them in the February to March timeframe. C'est un itinraire populaire pour la randonne et la balade, mais vous pourrez quand mme profiter de certains moments de tranquillit. Only a few can conquer this distance on foot and enjoy the Arizonas landmarks along the way. When you park near the restroom, you will see a sign to the right and the beginning of a narrow trail. Don't be tempted to dive in: Swimming is not allowed. 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. Sycamore Falls is located between Flagstaff, AZ and Williams, AZ in Northern Arizona. Closed if weather or other factors create dangerous conditions I hope to my... The White Mountains createsone of Arizonas most dramatic waterfalls as close as possible to the campground where the descends! 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