After waiting for months for the area to reopen after the 2021 summer fires, 17 hikers met early Tuesday at the Parson Trailhead for a brisk early morning hike. It was 30 degrees at the beginning of the hike, so everyone bundled up.

We began with our Parade of Hikers.

The steepest part of the trail is the descent from the trailhead for about 200 feet, then the trail remains fairly level as it runs parallel to Sycamore Creek.

The reason for the closure became abundantly clear. While the fires never reached the area, flash floods originating from the burn area wreaked havoc in the canyon. The lush riparian habitat normally covered by Arizona Sycamores, Fremont Cottonwoods, Arizona walnut and Arizona Ash trees was now choked with snags of fallen and uprooted trees.

Sand accumulation on rock ledges 10 feet above the stream gave evidence of the brutality of the flood.

About ¼ mile down the trail the arched tree planned for the group photo had been washed away. In its place, large patches of watercress grew in the stream.

On the right, we pass a rock column jutting up like a chimney. We stopped at several points along the trail, while the leaders navigated several sections of the washed-out trail.

The colorful cliffs, a unique mix of dark columnar basalt, red sandstone, and buff-colored limestone still rose on both sides of the canyon and became steeper, as we hike deeper into the canyon.

We were forced to cross the creek several times as our route was blocked by large snags of trees.

A mile into the hike, a large rock about 12' high appears to have dropped out of the sky. The concave side provides a nice backdrop for another group photo.

Proceeding farther down the trail, we pass another pool, through cut trees fallen across the trail and pick our way along the trail bordered by large snags.

Huge rock falls are visible higher up on the sides of the canyons.

In spite of the damage, the hike was still picturesque.

The creek went underground for a short stretch and emerged at a 2^nd pool at the base of a rock cliff. We stopped for a while to explore the area and take pictures.

Just past the pool, the trail was blocked, and we had to cross the creek again.

Just past a 3^rd pool we come to a narrow rock ledge.

Crossing the ledge, we enter another glade at the mouth of a cave.

At the 3 mile point we reach a broad rock shelf overlooking a large pool. This will be our turnaround point.

We leave our ledge and begin the trek back to the trailhead.

We crossed the narrow ledge again.

Water cress is edible.

After a short climb we are back at the trailhead.