Sycamore Canyon, Arizona
This past holiday weekend a few friends and I were lucky enough to spend it in the great outdoors on a backpacking trip. Sunday we drove down through Sedona then onto dirt roads that lead us to the Sycamore Basin trail head. We started around noon with sunny skies and temperatures in the high 60s. First we descended down into the canyon past cathedral red rock structures.
We were headed for Taylor's cabin to stay for the night, about 7 miles in.
After going down a wrong trail that added miles to our hike we finally reached the cabin as the sun was going down. Quickly we gathered firewood to make a nice fire in the cabin's fireplace. We had a pleasant evening relaxing by the fire eating and drinking.
A bright moon accompanied those that slept outside, while I slept in the warmth of the cabin.
The next morning after fueling up for the rigorous day's hike of ~12 miles we departed around 9.
We boulder hopped down the dry riverbed searching for signs of the trail. Small rock cairns guided our way but were hard to follow at times.
We breaked for a quick game of 'Big Booty,' a fun game to play with groups. With raised spirits we walked through a small canyon with ice waterfalls. Then we had a ~2000ft ascent up Casner Mtn. We came across snowpacks and lost the trail once again.
We eventually found it again and followed it to the top with incredible 360 views.
After snowball attacks and a quick lunch we started to descend the switchbacks down to the car. We finally arrived at the bottom around 5. It was a long tough hike but I was glad for the company and the views.
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| View from the trail |
After going down a wrong trail that added miles to our hike we finally reached the cabin as the sun was going down. Quickly we gathered firewood to make a nice fire in the cabin's fireplace. We had a pleasant evening relaxing by the fire eating and drinking.
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| enjoying the fire |
The next morning after fueling up for the rigorous day's hike of ~12 miles we departed around 9.
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| The crew on the 2nd day |
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| Morning hike |
We boulder hopped down the dry riverbed searching for signs of the trail. Small rock cairns guided our way but were hard to follow at times.
We breaked for a quick game of 'Big Booty,' a fun game to play with groups. With raised spirits we walked through a small canyon with ice waterfalls. Then we had a ~2000ft ascent up Casner Mtn. We came across snowpacks and lost the trail once again.
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| Views from the top |
After snowball attacks and a quick lunch we started to descend the switchbacks down to the car. We finally arrived at the bottom around 5. It was a long tough hike but I was glad for the company and the views.
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| "this is how we feel after hiking" picture |
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| more appropriate group picture |