On the way up I-17 Friday afternoon, I decided to stop at a place for lunch that I’ve driven past several times.



I was interested to see if they’re food was a good as their title says.



Iced Tea came out in Mason jars.



The BBQ came out on soft buns that we had to eat with a fork. The buns were also a bit smaller than expected for the $8 sandwiches.



So did Bad Ass BBQ live up to it’s name? Yeah, it sure did…and I don’t mean from a taste perspective. So save your money and your ass and instead eat at the Rock Café in Black Canyon City.

Brent and I got up to Flagstaff mid-day Friday afternoon of the big weekend. So we opted head west of Flagstaff to hit up a trail loop that was fairly level. Sycamore Rim trail is an 11 mile loop that follows along the north rim of Sycamore Canyon Wilderness and changes little in elevation until KA hill.



Although we didn’t start rolling until 430 pm, we expected 3 hours would be enough to cover 10 miles but took lights just in case.

Even in this remote area, there’s 1800’s history with the Overland Road.











But enough of the history lesson and on with the ride.



The trailhead runs past the old railroad bed



Then we come across the ruins of a log cabin



Getting started on the loop, you can see the canyon starting out very shallow.



A hiker warns us it gets pretty rocky, Ok, thanks. Then we’re into our first brief hike-a-bike section.



No trail sanitization here.





Soon we start running across pools of water



The canyon getting deeper the further clockwise you go.









The canyon views just keep coming.



The trail is fun,



But is also technical. Lots of rock to dodge or just plain roll over with momentum.



The canyon continues to deepen.



And I reminisce missing Southwest skies.



We reached the main view point just a quarter into the ride.



You keep descending until you nearly reach Sycamore Falls. This is a popular rock climbing spot on the sides of the canyon.



Looking out over the falls, which weren’t flowing.



With no one around, somehow Brent got the idea to lob rocks off into the pool below…Big ones. The sound was incredible to say the least, along the line of a depth charge going off and reverberating the canyon.



There’s also a place nearby called the Ice Cave which will have ice in the bottom of it into May, but I didn’t have a GPS.

As you start the grade back up, you see stumps from hand cut trees.



Short black diamond descent into Pomeroy Tanks.



By this point, we were starting to loose light fast. Navigation from Pomeroy Tanks to crossing Forest Road 13 can be tricky, but keep watching for carins. By the time we finally hit the road, it was already 730 pm and we bailed on climbing KA hill. By the time we rolled back to the vehicle, it was 8 pm and night had fallen.

This is probably one of the most challenging semi-level cross-country trails I’ve ridden. It throws a bit of everything at you and will challenge even the most seasoned riders. Intermediate riders should allow up to 5 hours for the entire loop with brief stops along the way. Good fun.

Outstanding TR, thanks for sharing. I had never even heard of this trail before despite it's history.

It goes without saying, I'm totally appreciative and envious of your adventures.

I was giggling like a lil' skool girl thrown' those rocks over the dry falls.

Fun for all ages! I remember hiking by myself one time when I was young(er) I came across a few boulders perched on the edge of a steep dropoff. I did think twice about pushing them over as the trail switchbacked down below into the line of fire. But who could resist such a perfect setup? Just as I let the second one fly a couple of older women came along the next corner towards me. I got the hell out of there rather than get yelled at. But just as I got out of sight what do I hear but a couple more boulders crashing down the hill!

Say - was that tree actually standing up on its own in the water?

Great TR. I was hoping you'd report this one after you mentioned it a few days ago. Excellent photos (somehow though, no food looks attractive to me in extreme close up...). Very nice to include the maps & history!

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Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin

Great TR! Thanks for sharing Sean. The more obscure the trail, the more I enjoy it.

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Awesome TR...
Those are some incredible shots you took.

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never stop....

excellent photos! Thanks for taking the time to get out the camera.

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-Deniz

Yup I push the tree over into the pool too.
J/K
Nah, the pic is a little deceiving it is actually leaning against the rocks.

looks fun.

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