Description: Sycamore Creek offers outstanding views on a moderate to difficult trail. There are a few “Oh My” obstacles that look much worse than they are as well as some play hills to challenge any Rover.
The trail starts by crossing the dry Sycamore Creek and wandering through a mildly improved area back and forth across the creek to a dry wash. The wash narrows and can be tricky for full sized vehicles without extra clearance. As the trail starts to climb out of the wash the views begin. There are options of varying difficulty to obtain the ridge where stunning views of Four Peaks and the desert are afforded. A windy narrow desert road travels ridges and ravines offering easy to moderate off-roading.
Shortly after a steep decent into a wash a wall like obstacle is reached. It is easy to drive by because it is a slab of granite that does not resemble the road. A great sense of accomplishment is felt for new comers as they conquer this impossible looking obstacle with ease. More easy to moderate terrain follows
After climbing to a saddle with interesting quartz rock a steep twisty decent takes you into another wash. The wash has some small boulders and interesting wheeling. This wash will take you to the exit Lower Sycamore Road. Here you have the opportunity to try numerous play hills some of which shrink to canyons only inches wider than your car.
If you want more adventure, continue down stream in Sycamore Creek until you hit the Verde River. At low flow times, you can cross the river even in a stock Rover. On the other side of the river a seldom used road leads you back to Fountain Hills.
Distance: 12.7 miles
Time: 4 hours
To the trailhead: Take Arizona 87 northeast from the intersection with Fort McDowell Road for 13 miles past mile marker #203. Turn left at the intersection with FR 143 and cross southbound lanes of Arizona 87.
The trail:
| Odometer |
GPS |
|
| 0 |
N33 40.775 W111 30.228 |
Trailhead and parking area |
| 2.5 |
N33 41.222 W111 32.033 |
Cross Sycamore Creek |
| 4.7 |
N33 42.741 W111 32.668 |
Turn right at “Y” intersection |
| 5.3 |
N33 42.714 W111 32.713 |
Turn right down steep loose hill |
| 5.5 |
N33 42.677 W111 32.730 |
Turn right at bottom of hill |
| 5.7 |
N33 42.744 W111 32.812 |
Turn left at top of hill at “T” intersection |
| 7.9 |
N33 41.438 W111 33.148 |
Continue straight down moderate hill |
| 8.7 |
N33 41.438 W111 33.148 |
Enter Sycamore Creek and follow for approximately 1.3 miles |
| 10 |
N33 40.096 W111 33.880 |
Turn left towards FR 403 |
| 12.7 |
N33 38.507 W111 32.550 |
Trail ends at small parking area just west of Arizona 87 |
References
Sycamore Creek. (2003) Retrieved September 22, 2007 from http://southwestpaddler.com/docs/verde9.html