Freehiking Sycamore Creek

On Monday, 4/6/2020, four members of the Naturists of Northern Arizona again freehiked the Sycamore Creek trail.  (Amy had a headache so didn’t attend.)   It’s about an hour and a half from my place, five miles on dirt road, but the scenery is definitely worth the drive, especially when carnuding is involved.  We met up and shared rides near Tuzigoot National Moment where the dirt road started.  Parking near the trailhead, we got naked and headed south, rather than going down the steps to the creek, the way most clothed people go.  The dirt road is mostly flat at first with amazing views of the distant red-rock mountains, black lava rock cliffs, river, and train track below.  It was a little windy, but not too cool to freehike.  Soon we reached the descent to the river.  Someone had placed a fence across the road at this point, but it was easy to open and go through.  As always, the descent is steep and rocky, but we made it safely.  The trees were just beginning to leaf.  The river was running full.  Someone had cut down the swing at the main camping area.  This time we also explored the area south down the river.  It didn’t go far, ending at a cleared area.  A rope swing hung across the river, but since the river was way too full and probably cold, we didn’t try to wade across.  Soon, we returned up the hill, along the dirt road, to the cars, said goodbye to our naked friends, and headed home.  Carnuding home is always nice.