A Day in the November Light

BoyNhisDog · Post by **BoyNhisDog** » Nov 10 2002 8:08 pm

We spent a day in Sycamore canyon which is right on the US/Mexican border. We have talked about this for quite some time and after one of Lizards posts on this place, we picked up and went.

This is a wet canyon fed by a spring with many varieties of plants and animals that don’t live outside these canyon walls in the vast, rugged surrounding desert. The biggest cat in North America, the Jaguar has been seen prowling this magical place. Wildflowers and butterflies are abundant but the major visual apparitions here are the huge wild stone formations set off by brilliant trees.

At some points the steep canyon walls tighten, making it necessary to wade if you are going any further. We came about halfway along the rocks on the left before sliding down into the gin clear, ice cold water which looked only knee deep but proved to be up to the waist belt on her pack in two places. When we went back out this way, we could not climb the steep, slick rocks so we went all the way through the pool and found a deeper place that came up over my pack belt.

Wading

There were many rock formations and “Hoodoos” throughout the canyon. Some of them are stacked impossibly narrow and high.
This is eye candy to the climbing fraternity. The rock is laced with cracks and handholds throughout.

Hoodoos

The brilliant colors were laced through the canyon guarded by rock walls, spires and towers.

Canyon Colors

Brilliance of Light

We did not see one single solitary person all day long as we floated through this seemingly unreal light. Things were somehow brighter and more defined. Time was too short to wander the entire system of Sycamore canyon and its feeder canyons and we did not see the elusive Jaguar but we believe it is there watching.

Carved Rocks Set off by the Colors

When you leave the canyon it is though you have woken from a dream and can not remember exactly what you were dreaming but you want to go back down inside that dream. It was one of those perfect days in the wilderness.

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Nov 10 2002 8:24 pm

Every time Glen posts pictures, I add a new hike to my list. Well done! I'd love to take photos as well as you....

Looks like I'm heading south next chance I get...

azhiker96 · Post by **azhiker96** » Nov 10 2002 8:30 pm

Thanks for the photos and descriptions! My brother has been bugging me to hike that canyon. He loved it there and like you, never saw another soul while he was there. I've seen jaguar foot prints when camping on the San Pedro but never worried about it. The abandoned water jugs caused more concern.

Lizard · Post by **Lizard** » Nov 10 2002 9:21 pm

Great photos, as always.

Sycamore Canyon is one of my favorite hikes in Southern Arizona, not only for its craggy scenery but also for its isolation and flora. There are more than 600 species of plants growing within the canyon, including many rare ones. The Goodding ash can be found there, along with a species of fern that grow only in Mexico, the Himalayas, and Sycamore Canyon. Its one of those special places.

I stayed overnight there about 6 years ago and had a fearless ringtail try to raid my campsite. He circled the place for hours, and would frequently creep up towards my food bag until I lunged at him, then he'd fly off into the darkness and resume circling the campsite.

Definitely an A+ hike.

evenstarx3 · Post by **evenstarx3** » Nov 10 2002 10:15 pm

Beautiful photos, Glen. thanks! Now I gotta get there...along with all the other places you've photographed

BoyNhisDog · Post by **BoyNhisDog** » Nov 11 2002 6:35 am

Thanks everyone. I like to give something back to the great HAZ site when I can. It's fun to live vicariously with your adventures on those busy weekends.

Here is a photo I cannot get to go hot for some reason. It is one of the best too. maybe a copy and paste leaving out the [url] things will work.

http://www.imagemagician.com/images/boy ... log640.jpg

evenstarx3 · Post by **evenstarx3** » Nov 11 2002 7:00 am

Cut and paste worked; another place I gotta get to!

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Nov 11 2002 7:04 am

BoyNhisDog wrote:Thanks everyone. I like to give something back to the great HAZ site when I can. It's fun to live vicariously with your adventures on those busy weekends.

Here is a photo I cannot get to go hot for some reason. It is one of the best too. maybe a copy and paste leaving out the things will work. [url]http://www.ima ... log640.jpg

The spaces in the name are the problem, replace each space with %20 and it'll work.
Awesome pics, btw!!

BoyNhisDog · Post by **BoyNhisDog** » Nov 11 2002 7:27 am

Thanks Mike! %20 it is from now on when I make a longer title like that.