This is the trailhead for Parson's Spring at the south end of the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. It can be accessed from a dirt road originating in Cottonwood/Clarksdale. This is one of the prettiest easy hikes in AZ, together with Echo Canyon in the Chiricuahas and the hike into Paradise Park along Grant Creek on trail 75 from the Blue River. These hikes can be done in a few hours by people in moderately healthy condition.
Along the Echo Canyon trail in the Chiricahua National Monument in the Chiricahua Mountains in S.E. Arizona. This is one of the easiest beautiful hikes I know. My father-in-law did the first mile of this hike when he was 82, with a pacemaker and having been rated 95% disabeled. I have done a lot more hikes and will post photos when I find them. Wet Beaver Creek comes to mind. Deer Creek used to be awesome (and close to Phoenix) but fire and rain have turned it into a gargantuan mess. I rarely hiked with a camera, but my wife always did and sometimes I had one at my campsite.
The gateway to the cemetary in Paradise, Arizona, in the northeast corner of the Chiricahuas. The little sign over the gateway says "Paradise", but you cannot be buried here unless you are actually a resident. It is not that easy to get into Paradise.
Another dumb move. I had slept in my trailer in the Chiricahua National Monument and then drove on paved roads to Portal on the northeast side. I then decided to recross the Chiricahaus to the west on a forest service (dirt) road which was barred by gate and a sign "Closed in Winter". No problem, just drive around the gate. I did get across, but only after sliding down some frozen grades and contemplating rolling over the side of the mountain. This photo was taken after I had gotten low enough that the road surface was unfrozen. I try not to let a lot of rules take the fun out of life.
