Sycamore Canyon - Bushnell to Round Valley • Canyon Trip • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Phoenix, AZ

Canyoneering		May 26 2024
		emilystardust • Triplogs 792

Canyoneering	8.32 Miles	237 AEG

Canyoneering	8.32 Miles	7 Hrs 51 Mns	1.25 mph
	237 ft AEG	1 Hour 12 Mns Break

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May 19 2024

emilystardust

Routes 386
Photos 49
Triplogs 792

43 female

Joined Jun 23 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Canyoneering		May 19 2024
		emilystardust • Triplogs 792

Canyoneering	2.33 Miles	233 AEG

Canyoneering	2.33 Miles	2 Hrs 10 Mns	1.61 mph
	233 ft AEG	43 Mns Break

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May 13 2023

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 840
Photos 22,055
Triplogs 1,993

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

The Sycamore Creek Shuffle, AZ

Hiking		May 13 2023
		chumley • Triplogs 1,993

Hiking	8.88 Miles	100 AEG

Hiking	8.88 Miles	6 Hrs 23 Mns	1.47 mph
	100 ft AEG	20 Mns Break

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	John9L	patrickakabird
	The_Eagle

When I messaged Bruce to see if he wanted to do this, I alerted him to the bonus scenery we would be subject to, and he's never replied to a hike plan faster than this one. Ok, then!

After some confusion with vehicle carpools and shuttles, we arrived at the starting point and headed downstream. We were overprepared for swimming as the pools that have been here on previous trips were now all filled in with sand. Still the water flow was pleasant, and the downhill trajectory of the creek over 9 miles still provides ample opportunity for splashing, cascades and small waterfalls.

Conversation all day found a theme on the climactic experience at the end of the trip and nobody was spared from the puns or the buns.

This one is probably off the list for a while. The exhibition just isn't what it used to be.

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I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

May 13 2023

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,760

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

The Sycamore Creek Shuffle, AZ

Hiking		May 13 2023
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	9.35 Miles	160 AEG

Hiking	9.35 Miles	6 Hrs 20 Mns		1.74 mph
	160 ft AEG	58 Mns Break	14 LBS Pack

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chumley

John9L

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

I got an invite from Chums to check another hike off my list that's been there for awhile. We set up the shuttle and started from the Bushnell Tanks TH around 8:20am. The Stiller-mobile was parked there, but we figured he was doing another section on the AZT and was probably 3 hours ahead of us.

We picked up a few foxtails on our way over to our drop into Sycamore Creek. Let the fun begin.

This is a real pretty area with more cascades of water and smaller waterfalls than you can count. There is absolutely no reason to attempt to keep your feet dry. From start to finish this track drops 1100'. Between the slippery rocks and all the down climbs, this is a full body workout. (At least for the elder in the group).

I was told from their past experience, there will be 3 or 4 mandatory floaters, so I was armed with my floatie. Every one of the areas that floating would be required in the past, had been filled in from previous high water events. We still had many areas where it was easy enough to cool off from the 90 degree heat.
[ youtube video ]
[ youtube video ]

Over the entire hike, there were only 2 semi tricky areas. The first, 9L found a rabbit hole for us to negotiate a 20' falls. The 2nd was just after we passed up a sunbather. This one ended up being easier than first thought. It was a nice smooth slide into a pool of water.

Good to hike with Chums and 9L again and to hike with their buddy Patrick.

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

Apr 23 2023

emilystardust

Routes 386
Photos 49
Triplogs 792

43 female

Joined Jun 23 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Canyoneering		Apr 23 2023
		emilystardust • Triplogs 792

Canyoneering	8.38 Miles	326 AEG

Canyoneering	8.38 Miles	8 Hrs 48 Mns	1.17 mph
	326 ft AEG	1 Hour 37 Mns Break

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Super cool canyon. We were questioning the slipperiness of the waterfall so opted to go way up and around instead. Very minimal amount of naked people down below it.

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Apr 22 2023

adilling

Guides 2
Routes 267
Photos 9,816
Triplogs 402

62 male

Joined Dec 02 2014
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Canyoneering		Apr 22 2023
		adilling • Triplogs 402

Canyoneering	7.85 Miles	1,099 AEG

Canyoneering	7.85 Miles
	1,099 ft AEG

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richardkwebb

I have hiked into this section of Sycamore Creek from the south, going north as an out and back. This time, we made it a shuttle hike and dropped down into the canyon off Hwy 87 a couple miles south of Sunflower.

This is definitely a canyoneering experience, with only the last bit before the end being a “trail”. Otherwise, you follow the creek down. The journey down the creek is not for the casual hiker or those inexperienced with canyoneering. No ropes needed or technical sections, but it is difficult to navigate and will give you a full body workout before you’re done.

This area is so beautiful, it’s hard to do it justice with words and pictures. One waterfall after another, one beautiful canyon section after another. This was all enhanced by the amazing blooms that covered the hillsides all along the creek. Orange globemallows covered some areas and the vibrant yellow brittlebush in other areas.

This kind of hiking is slow going (for me at least). The fastest/best route is usually right down the creek as the sides were either choked with nasty flora or steep granite walls. So, it is 100% certain you will get wet when the water is flowing. And, it was definitely flowing on this hike. Dry bags for electronics/food and appropriate clothing/shoes are a necessity. No swimming this time, but we did come across several larger pools.

A long and amazing day hiking down this creek for sure.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Graffiti

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"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling

Jun 04 2022

mikemcg

Guides 2
Routes 127
Photos 1,478
Triplogs 129

male

Joined May 07 2019
Tempe, AZ

Sycamore creek - Round Valley, AZ

Hiking		Jun 04 2022
		mikemcg • Triplogs 129

Hiking	2.51 Miles	215 AEG

Hiking	2.51 Miles	2 Hrs 58 Mns	1.48 mph
	215 ft AEG	1 Hour 16 Mns Break

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

My third trip to this canyon. Instead of doing the entire 8-mile route, we just wanted to visit the swimming holes and waterfall at the south end on a hot day. We parked at the south trailhead and headed north to the falls. The water level was much lower than my previous visits to this creek, but still adequate, clear, and flowing well. The water was 2-4 feet deep in the first couple pools we passed, and over 6 feet deep in the pool below the falls. The falls were very weak - more than a trickle, but much less powerful than previous visits. The water was pretty warm. We played in the pool below the falls for a while, then climbed up the falls and went upstream a little bit, then climbed back down and headed home. Only saw 5 naked guys this time. Picked up some trash along the creek near the trailhead.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

3 archives

May 01 2020

toddak

Guides 13
Routes 38
Photos 1,651
Triplogs 577

60 male

Joined Nov 15 2005
Jackson, CA

Phoenix, AZ

Canyoneering		May 01 2020
		toddak • Triplogs 577

Canyoneering	7.85 Miles	100 AEG

Canyoneering	7.85 Miles	5 Hrs 30 Mns	1.43 mph
	100 ft AEG

Canyon Hiking - Non-technical; no rope; easy scrambling; occasional hand use

B - Up to light current; wading/swimming; possible wet/dry suit

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Fantastic canyon! Just the right amount of clean, clear flow and the perfect combination of cool water and warm air temps. Bike shuttle.

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Apr 28 2020

jillyonanadventure

Routes 175
Photos 2,335
Triplogs 191

44 female

Joined Jan 21 2019
Pine, AZ

Sycamore canyon, AZ

Canyoneering		Apr 28 2020
		jillyonanadventure • Triplogs 191

Canyoneering	11.21 Miles	730 AEG

Canyoneering	11.21 Miles	9 Hrs 19 Mns	1.28 mph
	730 ft AEG	33 Mns Break

C - Strong current; wading/swimming; waterfalls; possible wet/dry suit

III - Normally requires most of a day

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brainz94

Bsolaz

Met at Round Valley at 7am to drop of a vehicle, then drove over to Bushnell tanks to start the day. It’s a nice creek saunter for a while with mild rock hopping and sandy washes. Beautiful canyon walls on either side of you and many flowing cascades. Then things start getting a little more interesting quickly. After about 4 miles, we needed to inflate the floaties and start swimming. It was a warm day and the water felt amazing. There were several large waterfalls and pools to navigate around and teamwork was helpful here. It was slow moving and very slippery in the canyon. Some of the downclimbs were pretty tricky with the amount of water flowing. The waterfalls were GUSHING! The last downclimb was pretty scary without ropes. We were rewarded with many gorgeous pools for swimming and cooling off. *do not attempt this route unless you are very comfortable with class 3 downclimbs (one wrong move could result in bad injury) or jumping into pools of water and mandatory swimming. Do not underestimate this route! It’s a long, exhausting day, but one you’ll look back on and feel accomplished*

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Restless between adventures...

Apr 18 2020

Guides 4
Routes 5
Photos 3,377
Triplogs 783

55 male

Joined Aug 20 2009
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Canyoneering		Apr 18 2020
		RickVincent • Triplogs 783

Canyoneering	2.00 Miles	1,099 AEG

Canyoneering	2.00 Miles	4 Hrs	0.50 mph
	1,099 ft AEG

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The short version from pull off on side of route 87. Bushwhack in and out with Misty. Beautiful, slightly cool, breezy and partially overcast day. Took this day to show my oldest kid, one of my favorite creek escapes. Time to pass on to the next generation.

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This is my gym. I have to travel down a bumpy road to get there. There are no treadmillls, no machines, and no personal trainers. I walk..I run..I breathe the fresh air. I can go any time I want, as much as I want and there is no membership fee.

2 archives

Mar 21 2020

Guides 4
Routes 5
Photos 3,377
Triplogs 783

55 male

Joined Aug 20 2009
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Canyoneering		Mar 21 2020
		RickVincent • Triplogs 783

Canyoneering	0.75 Miles	1,099 AEG

Canyoneering	0.75 Miles
	1,099 ft AEG

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Very short day. Water flowing at a couple hundred cfs, so travel along the creek was challenging. Went out solo, so not worth making any sketchy moves. Beautiful morning to be out enjoying this raging creek. Runnable by kayak at this level, in case anyone enjoys that type of thing. Although, this is definitely minimum Class IV whitewater at these levels.

_____________________

This is my gym. I have to travel down a bumpy road to get there. There are no treadmillls, no machines, and no personal trainers. I walk..I run..I breathe the fresh air. I can go any time I want, as much as I want and there is no membership fee.

Apr 06 2019

Guides 4
Routes 5
Photos 3,377
Triplogs 783

55 male

Joined Aug 20 2009
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Canyoneering		Apr 06 2019
		RickVincent • Triplogs 783

Canyoneering	1.00 Miles	1,099 AEG

Canyoneering	1.00 Miles	2 Hrs 30 Mns	0.40 mph
	1,099 ft AEG

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What can I say, it's an entertaining 1 mile. Bushwhacking, catclaw, boulder hopping, waterfalls and wet feet. Set out to take some water pics with my phone. Today's phones have gotten quite good with photo quality and Pro SLR-like features. Enjoy the photos taken with my Samsung Galaxy 9.

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This is my gym. I have to travel down a bumpy road to get there. There are no treadmillls, no machines, and no personal trainers. I walk..I run..I breathe the fresh air. I can go any time I want, as much as I want and there is no membership fee.

Mar 08 2019

kelly14

Routes 92
Photos 885
Triplogs 160

30 male

Joined Sep 27 2015
Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 08 2019
		kelly14 • Triplogs 160

Hiking	3.93 Miles	371 AEG

Hiking	3.93 Miles	2 Hrs 9 Mns	1.92 mph
	371 ft AEG	6 Mns Break

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All that snow melting made this a magical little hike! Sycamore Creek was awesome with all the flow. Many times there was 3, even 4 separate channels in the canyon bottom. Hiking through the creek was the way to go but the tootsies did get a little cold. Turned up Ram Valley which was special in its own right. Had really good flow as well and lots of crawfish so I’m guessing it’s got perennial stretches? Took that to fr 22 and followed that back to the trailhead. Loving all this water right now, trying to see it all before it disappears!

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Boulder Mountain Kitty Joe Canyon Ram Valley

Colcord Canyon

Pools to trickle

	Kitty Joe Canyon	Medium flow	Medium flow
	Solid flow over the forest road and down to where it enters Sycamore Creek

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May 28 2017

skatchkins

Guides 2
Routes 24
Photos 3,436
Triplogs 230

47 male

Joined Dec 22 2007
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Canyoneering		May 28 2017
		skatchkins • Triplogs 230

Canyoneering

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We just wanted to get out and back without traffic hassle. Something that didn't require too much planning or stress. I figured we could just drive halfway up the hill, soak in some water, camp on a "beach" and call it done. We got done soaking early and Noel reminded me that our friends would be leaving town for a while and we could catfish fry for them tonight if we wanted. We thought about it and then figured why not fill the day some more and headed back up to the car. We got no traffic, only a little cop hassle from parking off the highway...

*We took the Rincon Pass drop in: [ gps route ]

_____________________

May he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;
May he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;
Armchair Crisis Design

3 archives

Apr 09 2017

skatchkins

Guides 2
Routes 24
Photos 3,436
Triplogs 230

47 male

Joined Dec 22 2007
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Canyoneering		Apr 09 2017
		skatchkins • Triplogs 230

Canyoneering	3.34 Miles	438 AEG

Canyoneering	3.34 Miles	5 Hrs 37 Mns	0.59 mph
	438 ft AEG

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chumley

I'd rather have the water even if you get the cold. Great trip. Easy in, easy out. Plenty of lounging time and silliness. Just four grown men with power animals trying to block waterfalls like slippery Tetris pieces. Much more fun then anything happening further downstream.

_____________________

May he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;
May he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;
Armchair Crisis Design

Feb 26 2017

Guides 4
Routes 5
Photos 3,377
Triplogs 783

55 male

Joined Aug 20 2009
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Canyoneering		Feb 26 2017
		RickVincent • Triplogs 783

Canyoneering	1.00 Miles

Canyoneering	1.00 Miles	2 Hrs	0.50 mph

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Most of the time that I go to Sycamore Creek, its flow is usually light. Flows around 10cfs are pretty typical. On this day the flow was reading 34cfs. 3x the flow was definitely noticeable and made creek crossings more challenging. It even forces a few workarounds. In areas that I would normally skirt the creek, I was forced to go high, up and around, or get wet.

My friend Brian and I made a quick 2 hour trip in and out of the White Box section.

When the rain started to arrive Monday night and all day Tuesday, I checked on the water flow data again. The rains had pushed the flow to over 200cfs. I had to work Tuesday, but Brian decided to go back out after the rain stopped. As he arrived, I checked the flow again. Within 30 minutes of my previous check the flow had spiked from 262 cfs to 2310cfs. Holy cow!

The water data showed the record flow 2600cfs set in 1978. Brian started making his way down, texting me updates. I checked the data again and it had jumped to 2600cfs, tying the record. I will have to see if I can get some of the pics and video he posted on FB. Incredible to see this section of Sycamore Creek with that much water. The place looked unrecognizable. Chocolate rapids that only an experienced kayaker would dare navigate. At minimum some Class IV's and possibly some bigger hits downstream through the White Box.

Anyway, in the meantime, here are some boring all photos of 34cfs from Sunday.

_____________________

This is my gym. I have to travel down a bumpy road to get there. There are no treadmillls, no machines, and no personal trainers. I walk..I run..I breathe the fresh air. I can go any time I want, as much as I want and there is no membership fee.

Jun 18 2016

skatchkins

Guides 2
Routes 24
Photos 3,436
Triplogs 230

47 male

Joined Dec 22 2007
Mesa, AZ

The Beasts of Sycamore Lagoon, AZ

Hiking		Jun 18 2016
		skatchkins • Triplogs 230

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chumley

I was told there was an internet friends conference this weekend in a flowing creek. I instructed Noel to call me a few minutes in after it started, just in case I needed an out, but it turns out there was no service down there. Glad I brought the backup brother-in-law to make it less awkward.
We got the old nudes warning ahead of time but I had really thought it was regarding non-attendees.

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May he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;
May he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;
Armchair Crisis Design

1 archive

May 01 2016

Guides 4
Routes 5
Photos 3,377
Triplogs 783

55 male

Joined Aug 20 2009
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Canyoneering		May 01 2016
		RickVincent • Triplogs 783

Canyoneering	1.50 Miles	400 AEG

Canyoneering	1.50 Miles	4 Hrs	0.38 mph
	400 ft AEG

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Second of back to back days at the creek. This time I brought Anna and our dog. Found a rusty old can, which it would seem dates back to about 1881.

_____________________

This is my gym. I have to travel down a bumpy road to get there. There are no treadmillls, no machines, and no personal trainers. I walk..I run..I breathe the fresh air. I can go any time I want, as much as I want and there is no membership fee.

Apr 30 2016

Guides 4
Routes 5
Photos 3,377
Triplogs 783

55 male

Joined Aug 20 2009
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Canyoneering		Apr 30 2016
		RickVincent • Triplogs 783

Canyoneering	1.00 Miles	400 AEG

Canyoneering	1.00 Miles	5 Hrs 45 Mns	0.17 mph
	400 ft AEG

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Sweet short section of Sycamore. Went in to photograph some small falls and relax in my hammock.

Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Daturas, prickly pear amongst several others in full bloom.

_____________________

This is my gym. I have to travel down a bumpy road to get there. There are no treadmillls, no machines, and no personal trainers. I walk..I run..I breathe the fresh air. I can go any time I want, as much as I want and there is no membership fee.

5 archives

Nov 28 2015

Guides 4
Routes 5
Photos 3,377
Triplogs 783

55 male

Joined Aug 20 2009
Mesa, AZ