Ride Report AZ – Sycamore Rim

Discussion in 'Ride Reports' started by GP_pilot, Aug 5, 2009.

  1. GP_pilot

    GP_pilot Epic Builder

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    Dstepper posted up this trail last year but it definitely warrants my own report.


    On the way up I-17 to Flagstaff, I decided to stop at a place for lunch that I’ve driven past several times. I was interested to see if they’re food was a good as their title says.

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    Iced Tea came out in Mason jars.

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    The BBQ came out on soft buns that we had to eat with a fork. The buns were also a bit smaller than expected for the $8 sandwiches.

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    So did Bad Ass BBQ live up to it’s name? Yeah, it sure did…and I don’t mean from a taste perspective. So save your money and your ass and instead eat at the Rock Café in Black Canyon City.

    Brent and I got up to Flagstaff mid-day Friday afternoon of the big weekend. So we opted head west of Flagstaff to hit up a trail loop that was fairly level. Sycamore Rim trail is an 11 mile loop that follows along the north rim of Sycamore Canyon Wilderness and changes little in elevation until KA hill.

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    Although we didn’t start rolling until 430 pm, we expected 3 hours would be enough to cover 10 miles but took lights just in case.

    Even in this remote area, there’s 1800’s history with the Overland Road.

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    But enough of the history lesson and on with the ride.

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    The trailhead runs past the old railroad bed

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    Then we come across the ruins of a log cabin

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    Getting started on the loop, you can see the canyon starting out very shallow.

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    A hiker warns us it gets pretty rocky, Ok, thanks. Then we’re into our first brief hike-a-bike section.

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    No trail sanitization here.

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    Soon we start running across pools of water

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    The canyon getting deeper the further clockwise you go.

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    The canyon views just keep coming.

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    The trail is fun,

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    But is also technical. Lots of rock to dodge or just plain roll over with momentum.

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    The canyon continues to deepen.

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    And I reminisce missing Southwest skies.

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    We reached the main view point just a quarter into the ride.

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    You keep descending until you nearly reach Sycamore Falls. This is a popular rock climbing spot on the sides of the canyon.

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    Looking out over the falls, which weren’t flowing.

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    With no one around, somehow Brent got the idea to lob rocks off into the pool below…Big ones. The sound was incredible to say the least, along the line of a depth charge going off and reverberating the canyon.

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    There’s also a place nearby called the Ice Cave which will have ice in the bottom of it into May, but I didn’t have a GPS.

    As you start the grade back up, you see stumps from hand cut trees.

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    Short black diamond descent into Pomeroy Tanks.

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    By this point, we were starting to loose light fast. Navigation from Pomeroy Tanks to crossing Forest Road 13 can be tricky, but keep watching for carins. By the time we finally hit the road, it was already 730 pm and we bailed on climbing KA hill. By the time we rolled back to the vehicle, it was 8 pm and night had fallen.

    This is probably one of the most challenging semi-level cross-country trails I’ve ridden. It throws a bit of everything at you and will challenge even the most seasoned riders. Intermediate riders should allow up to 5 hours for the entire loop with brief stops along the way. Good fun.
     
  2. CalEpic

    CalEpic member

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    Looks beautiful, thanks.
     
  3. CPATCRASH

    CPATCRASH Enjoy the ride!

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    Very nice!
     
  4. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    Nice RR Sean. Not a trail for all as it does wear ya out. I did not hesitate recommending it to you and your crew because you guys like a challenge on remote back country trails. Kind of a bummer you missed KA (Kick Ass) Hill, it lives up to its name. Does seen like much of a hill be it is deceivingly long steep climb but the dowhill to Dow Springs is well worth it. Sycamore Loop Trail has a lot going for it...plus camping right at the trailhead. Pools of water in Arizona is a very rare treat.

    To bad you did not have time for the Clover Spring, Benham Trail, Bill Williams Mountain Loop. I was so tried climbing that hill that I did 3 OTB's coming down the Bill William's Mountain due to fatigue. Very steep and I just could not get over the high waterbars...I ended up putting my seat all the way down and just plowing the waterbars....thank goodness for Zoke 66.

    I have followed the Overland Trail the best I could, it goes from Prescott to Flagstaff, it seems like the only people that use it are the horse people with pack mules. There really is no trail just cairns spaced on each side about 40 feet apart and hopefully you can see the next set thru the trees . It tried but that lava rock is way to rocky and sharp...it eats MTB tires.

    Dean
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 5, 2009
  5. Cilantro13

    Cilantro13 ...

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    I notice it said Kaibab National Forest. I always remember Kaibab mountain being north of the Grand Canyon? It seems I am mistaken, but now I am really curious where this trail and its canyon are.

    Looks like a great ride and reminds me of many summer campouts on the Mogollon Rim when I was growing up to get out of the Phoenix heat.
     
  6. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    The Kaibab National Forest is on both sides of the Grand Canyon. The Sycamore Rim is about 10-15 miles East of Williams, if you walked the Sycamore Canyon down you would come out in the Cottonwood area near Sedona. The Mogollon Rim extends from the White Mountains above PHX to Williams.

    Dean
     
  7. lizardking

    lizardking Lets just ride!

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    It's beautiful up there!
    Great R.R. and photos! :wave:
     

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