Hike up to Parson springs near Sedona, Arizona.
Bring your camera or you will be sorry. There is a wonderful collection of deciduous trees camped next to Sycamore creek. During the fall, the colors light up the area. There is something very uplifting about walking next to a stream in the desert of Arizona.
This hike quickly drops 200 ft into Sycamore canyon. You reach a signed trail junction (JCT_1R on the map). Stay right here to stay on the Parson Springs trail. The rest of the 3.7 mile trail to Parson spring is relatively flat and the trail is well marked. There are numerous reasons this trail is enjoyable, besides the previously mentioned Cottonwoods, Sycamores, and Arizona Walnut trees. This trail crosses the creek six times. Each time is a a fun adventure in maintaining dry feet. The most typical locations to loose the trail is at these crossings, so keep a sharp eye out for the cairns here. The second creek crossing was kind of tricky from a route finding standpoint.
This hike is a short one, so feel free to take it slow and snap as many pictures as you can. It seems like there is another postcard picture around every corner. After about 1.1 miles, the trail passes Summers Spring. The spring is on your right and seeps from a rock into the main creek. Continue down the trail, eventually crossing the creek a total of six times. After the sixth crossing, look on your left for a still pool with a barely discernable spring feeding it. This is Parson Spring, an unimpressive end to this impressive hike.
The trail continues for a bit, but the perennial stream quickly dries up and the trail disappears. Return by the same route.
