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Bear Canyon to Sycamore Dam - 1 member in 4 triplogs has rated this an average 5 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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Jan 19 2026
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 Guides 187
 Routes 1,026
 Photos 12,535
 Triplogs 907

72 male
 Joined Jun 27 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Sycamore Canyon, AZ 
Sycamore Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 19 2026
markthurman53Triplogs 907
Hiking10.00 Miles 1,788 AEG
Hiking10.00 Miles   5 Hrs   52 Mns   1.86 mph
1,788 ft AEG      29 Mns Break
 
Partners partners
mamakatt22
Sycamore Canyon and upper Bear Canyon Trail from the Gordon Hirabayashi Picnic/campground. Excellent weather for this hike. The storm a week ago had the Sycamore and Bear Canyon Creeks running (plus most of the little side streams). Took the upper Bear Canyon Trail to where the route up to Thimble Peak connects up. The route to Thimble Peak looks pretty well traveled, in fact saw a group of people coming down from it. We turned around and headed back the way we came at this junction just before the Bear Canyon Trail starts to get serious about heading down the canyon. Sycamore Canyon is quite scenic in spite of the damage done by a fire some years ago (Remnants of the large trees still standing) Quite a few people along the trail today, maybe 15 or so.

Sycamore Reservoir dam was flowing and is always a must stop and visit point. Would be interesting to explore Bear Canyon upstream from here. Not sure if it is easily accessed or not, only one way to find out and that is to try it someday, or if someone else has done it find out from them. Saw an odd plant, looks like an evergreen bush with paper like pods that had seeds inside. I posted a picture in the photo set.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Bear Canyon Light flow Light flow
Light to medium flow but still easy to cross without getting boots wet. (unless you are clumsy)

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Sycamore Canyon Light flow Light flow
Light to medium flow but still easy to cross without getting boots wet (unless you are clumsy)

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Sycamore Reservoir 1-25% full 1-25% full
Really no reservoir there anymore but a good flow over the dam
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228883
Jan 19 2026
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 Routes 345
 Photos 39
 Triplogs 342

female
 Joined Feb 02 2020
 Shallowater,TX
Sycamore Canyon, AZ 
Sycamore Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 19 2026
mamakatt22Triplogs 342
Hiking10.00 Miles 1,788 AEG
Hiking10.00 Miles   5 Hrs   50 Mns   1.86 mph
1,788 ft AEG      28 Mns Break12 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
1st trip
Partners partners
markthurman53
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
We went to the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Area to start this hike. As it is a holiday there were lots of people out enjoying the area. The weather is perfect and sunny, no wind. We had planned to do this hike before but it was so windy and cool we had to abort that mission. So today was perfect! What a beautiful area to hike. Well maintained trails and what creeks there were could be crossed without having wet feet. We saw a small tarantula out for his hike. Got a picture and a short video of him. The views along this hike were awesome. Sycamore Canyon is very pretty. We got far enough in to see Thimble Peak. Quite impressive!
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
  4 archives
228829
Sep 27 2025
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 Guides 3
 Routes 669
 Photos 9,068
 Triplogs 644

55 male
 Joined Apr 13 2011
 Gilbert, AZ
Sabino - Bear Canyon LoopTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 27 2025
ddgrunningTriplogs 644
Hiking14.87 Miles 3,278 AEG
Hiking14.87 Miles   5 Hrs   48 Mns   2.75 mph
3,278 ft AEG      24 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
The last weekend in September is our annual rim to rim hike. But the Dragon Bravo fire scuttled this year’s plan.

So, instead, we opted to do a substitute hike in the Catalinas.

We were hoping that the rain this week would result in some running water on Bear Canyon and at the 7 falls, but just some damp ground in the creekbed and pools at the falls. I’m sure it was my decision hike in Tevas that guaranteed we’d keep our feet dry.

Above the falls was new tread for me. And the more I hike in the Catalinas, the more I like them. The canyon and the surrounding mountains have a lot of character. Although the rains didn’t result in flowing water, the desert was clearly soaking up the moisture. Much more green everywhere, and flowers blossoming and butterflies flying around like it was spring.

Didn’t think we’d see anyone past the falls until the sabino side, but this is clearly a trail running staple, as we crossed paths with no less than 6 groups or single runners on the loop.

Once we reached the sabino junction, our prayers for running water were answered, and the flows could be heard gurgling along below us.

The clouds threatened rain most of the day, but other than a brief light sprinkle, nothing materialized on the trail.

As we reached the shuttle junction, the sun came out and we opted to take the ride back to the TH, as we’d done the Phoneline previously.

We were happy with our choice and used the saved hour to make the drive up Mount Lemmon and back—a first for me. What a gorgeous drive!

They were having an Octoberfest event at the ski resort. We popped our heads in a looked around a bit before making the device back down.

Grabbed dinner at the Viva Mexican restaurant right off the road as we got back to Tucson. Food was fine, it we were the only customers on a Saturday evenly at dinner, which makes me think the restaurant’s days are numbered.

Beautiful sunset as we drove back to Phoenix.
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  1 archive
226237
Feb 13 2018
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 Guides 36
 Routes 310
 Photos 2,235
 Triplogs 241

80 male
 Joined Mar 27 2008
 tucson, az
Bear Canyon to Sycamore DamTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 13 2018
rvcarterTriplogs 241
Hiking1.77 Miles 476 AEG
Hiking1.77 Miles   2 Hrs   22 Mns   0.78 mph
476 ft AEG      6 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Partners none no partners
While hiking on Bear Canyon #29 near Thimble Peak a couple of weeks ago, we looked down at the upper Bear Canyon and thought, let's do it. The all off-trail canyon between the upper crossing (the last place where #29 crossed Bear Creek) and Sycamore Dam is beautiful, full of large trees, huge boulders, wetlands, pools and flowing water, even after a long drought. There are a few areas that require class 3 scrambling, but the exposure is not bad except a few places, where climb arounds are necessary.

We started at Sabino Canyon and exited at Prison Camp where we had dropped a car. Mike and Frank climbed Seven Falls, which was very dry except for a few pools, and pronounced it pretty easy. However, if you knew them, you'd still wonder about the difficulty. Take your time and enjoy this special canyon. Look at the description I just posted for more details.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Sycamore Reservoir
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Check out my Instagram posts at "cartershift", and videos on my Rumble channel "rvcarter".
 
152483
average hiking speed 1.81 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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