Registration for this trip is free.
Trip difficulty: Difficult*. 5+ Miles round trip over rugged trails with 800+ feet elevation gain both coming and going.
The portion of the Arizona Trail from Gordon Hirabayashi Campground to Sycamore Reservoir on Mt Lemmon passes through juniper woodland habitat, a fairly scarce habitat type in the broader landscape around Tucson. In early summer it hosts Mexican Jays and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers in good numbers. Lucky birders may also hear the flute-like warbles of a Scott’s Oriole, or encounter Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jays. Our turnaround destination is Sycamore “Reservoir”. The reservoir itself has silted in, but the tall narrow dam remains. The pocket of mature cottonwood-sycamore riparian habitat behind the dam host a variety of songbirds, and occasionally a vagrant migrant or two.
* This hike has a down-UP-DOWN profile on the way to the reservoir, which is reversed on the return trip. It is suitable for seasoned, self-reliant hikers; cell phone coverage and medical assistance are not available in this remote area. Meet in the parking lot at the entrance to Gordon Hirabayashi Campground. Participants must pack a minimum of 2 qts of water and backcountry hiking essentials.
Wear good hiking shoes, dress in light layers, and bring your binoculars. Wrap up by noon. Limit 10 participants.
Leader: Holly Kleindienst (hollykleindienst@gmail.com)
