MRT Day 1: Sycamore Canyon

Daily Miles: 14.7, Total Miles: 14.7

Mrs. Haze and I drove to Sedona on Thursday to drop off my resupply box at the motel where I’ll be staying. We then continued on to Cottonwood – the Sedona traffic was crazy and already seemed to be in weekend mode.

Cottonwood was a bit slower paced but has grown a lot in the last ten years. Cottonwood was on one of my early lists of potential places to retire to. Mrs. Haze patiently waited for us to work our way down the list before coming up with one of her own. We had a great pizza and kickoff beverages in Old Town.

After a big breakfast this morning, we headed to Tuzigoot National Monument, then turning off on Sycamore Canyon Road for the 11 miles to Parsons TH.

Mrs. Haze joined me for the hike to the bottom of Sycamore Canyon. She bailed out at the first creek crossing to Packard Trail. I bid her farewell and climbed up and out of the other side of the canyon. I stopped only to yell, whistle and yodel as I saw her climbing into the truck.

While crossing Packard Mesa on mostly cow trails, I soon got my first good peek of Red Rock country. And in the distance to the north, San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff.

Just before dropping back down to scenic Sycamore Canyon and the Wilderness Area, I signed a trail register. Two MRT hikers one day ahead of me, including One Gallon, whom I met on the GET. I eventually reached the bottom of the canyon near mile 15. Found one shrinking pool of water after picking my way over the dry river rock.

I also found a sandbar nearby to cowboy camp on a quiet evening. Except for the wind rustling through the cottonwood trees.

My ankle (and the rest of me) held up well on Day1! Only two day hikers met today.