Parsons Spring May 09
From near Tuzigoot in the Verde Valley
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PARSON'S SPRING
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The trailhead is near Tuzigoot. We start down into the the canyon of Sycamore Creek.
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Because Sycamore is one of the few perennial streams in the area, it nourishes a rich riparian habitat
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Hiking upstream along the creek. This is the last Westerners hike of the 2008-9 season.
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Summer Spring, about a third of the way in
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Memorial to a hiker who liked this area
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The first of several creek crossings
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The swimming hole. Parts of it are deep enough for diving.
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As the canyon walls close in, we hike narrowing ledges
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The season's first prickly pear blossoms
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We reach Parson's Spring, 4.4 miles from the trailhead
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A 5' gopher snake
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Returning past the swimming hole...
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...and Summer Spring
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Climbing back out of the canyon
