Sycamore Reservoir Trail #39

Sycamore Reservoir Trail #39 is a moderate hiking route in the Coronado National Forest that drops into Sycamore Canyon to reach Sycamore Reservoir, originally built to supply an old prison camp along the Catalina Highway area. The trail starts in the ruins area of the former prison camp at the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Area / Pusch Ridge Wilderness boundary and runs downhill toward the canyon.

Descent is the easy part: once you’re on the main tread toward Sycamore Canyon, the route parallels an abandoned road for a stretch and then continues down toward the reservoir area. Near the canyon entry it shares corridor with an older fire line alignment, so expect occasional scars in the landscape where the trail has been in the same general route for a long time.

At the reservoir, expect a riparian setting around the dam site with a sand beach and stands of alder, willow, and sycamore along the shoreline. The reservoir has been reduced over time by rock and sand washed in during flash flooding, but the surrounding area remains a destination for a day hike or overnight looped approaches from the trailhead area.

This is a long-distance style route designed as a named trail segment (Trail #39) rather than a one-off footpath. Surface is mapped as standard ground (“Standard/Terra Trail”), with natural tread rather than constructed boardwalk or pavement.

On return, plan around the big effort coming out of Sycamore Canyon: after enjoying the reservoir and canyon bottom, the route climbs back up from the canyon toward Shreve Saddle, then back to the prison-camp trailhead area. The grade change is significant enough that many hikers treat the ascent as the main challenge.

Because the route enters Pusch Ridge Wilderness, wilderness rules apply; motorized/mechanical travel is not permitted in wilderness areas. Also note that the route can be affected by fire-area closures during incidents, so check current alerts before you go.

More information: Visitor information, Visitor information, February 2018 - Earthline: The American West