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Coronado Hiking Trails |
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Sycamore Reservoir Trail #39
Sycamore Reservoir was originally constructed to supply water
to an old prison camp along the Catalina Highway. This small lake has
been made even smaller by flash floods which have washed huge amounts
of rock and sand into the lake. Still, the reservoir and surrounding
area remains a pleasant destination for a day trip or an overnight.
A sand beach and stands of alder, willow and sycamore grace various
parts of its shoreline. Riparian vegetation extends into the two canyons
that come together to form the dam site, providing habitat for birds
and other watchable wildlife.
The trail to the reservoir starts in an area occupied by
the ruins of an old prison camp. Concrete foundations are all that remain
of the buildings that once stood here, and a 4-wheel drive road now winds
its way through the ruins to a trailhead at the Push Ridge Wilderness
boundary. The road through the prison camp is closed seasonally, which
adds about a mile and a quarter to the trip. If the gate is open, you
will want to drive only part way to the trailhead, unless you have a
4-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance.
At the Wilderness boundary, the trail parallels an abandoned
road as it heads downhill toward the reservoir. To prevent
erosion, visitors to the area should use the trail rather than the
road or the unblazed
spurs which branch off the main trail. At the point where
the trail enters Sycamore Canyon, it shares a portion of its course
with an old fire line
bulldozed to stop a chaparral fire some time ago. Again,
if you stay on the main trail, all of these unsightly scars will
heal naturally.
Attractions:
Small lake
Riparian area
Watchable wildlife
Connecting trails
Arizona Trail segment
Season: Fall, winter, spring
Length: 1.8 miles
Elevation: 5,000'-4,500'
Rating: More difficult
Use: Moderate
USGS Map(s): Agua Caliente
Access: Drive up the Catalina Highway to the turnoff
into the old prison camp beyond milepost
7. Turn left and follow the road
either to a closed gate or beyond if
it is open. Low clearance vehicles should park at the last building
slab in the prison camp. Four-wheel
drive vehicles with high clearance may
continue
the 1.25 miles to the trailhead.
Notes:
1.7 miles of this trail are within the Pusch Ridge
Wilderness.
Motorized and mechanical vehicles
and equipment, including mountain
bikes, are not permitted
in Wilderness. See the Wilderness
section of this guide
for more wilderness
rules and ethics.
Water can be found at Sycamore
Reservoir year-round. Purification
of water is recommended prior
to use.
Stay on the trail in all areas
and allow old scars to heal.
When hiking or horseback riding
in remote areas go with a companion
whenever possible. Always tell
someone where you’ve
gone and when you expect to return.
Before using this trail, call
the Santa Catalina Ranger
District for current trail conditions
which can vary with season,
weather and maintenance status.
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