Agua Fria National Monument Highpoint Trip Report

Sycamore Mesa on Cordes Junction Quad in Arizona (4,561 feet)

Date: February 4, 2011
Author: Bill Jacobs

Fellow hikers: Rick Hartman, Jack Bennett, and Dave Foote

From Exit 268, on I-17, proceed southeast for 7.0 miles to Dugas. Continue through Dugas for 0.5 miles turning right at the mailboxes onto county road 68F. Proceed 0.8 miles to a National Forest cabin signed “Sycamore Cabin”. Park here and begin your journey to Sycamore Mesa, 2.9 miles as the Raven flies, but more like 4.0 miles given all the ravines, mesas, and cliffs to be circumvented.

From “Sycamore Cabin” it is easier to follow the creek or the gravel road southward than try to go over the mesa on a straight-line to the HP. About a quarter of a mile up the creek is a corral. At this point, angle right and follow the westward canyon. This roundabout route avoids having to go over the mesa to your right.

Eventually, climb out of the canyon and continue on a more direct route to the HP. Hiking through multiple valleys and mesas makes for an interesting day of route-finding.

We spotted numerous diggings by rooting animals and presumed they were javalenas or badgers looking for bulbs. Hunters told us they were non-native feral pigs that were destroying the eco-system. If it’s bacon you crave, you are in hog heaven. They told us it was open season on swine, with no limit.

Hike time: 5.0 hours.