Packard Mesa - Difficult - 13.5, 2300' (Clarkdale)
Details
Cottonwood/Clarkdale: Packard Mesa Trail – Difficult – 13.5m 2300’ gain
Date & Time : Saturday, May 16, 2026, 7:00 am at Trailhead.
Location: South Sycamore Canyon. This is the same trailhead as for Parsons Springs. As described in Arizona Highways: “From Cottonwood, go northwest on Main Street and follow the signs to Tuzigoot National Monument. Turn right onto Tuzigoot Road, continue across the Verde River bridge and turn left onto Forest Road 131 (Sycamore Canyon Road). From there, it’s 11 miles to the trailhead.” It’s on Google Maps as Parsons Trail in Clarkdale. 34.88111363767869, -112.082710194837. https://maps.app.goo.gl/FHuM1iAM2MrZaDjw9
Hike Overview: This is part of the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Area. We descend to Sycamore Creek (not far away from its junction with the Verde River). Cross. Likely have to get feet/shoes wet. But it has been pretty dry this year, so be prepared either way. Then a multi-mile climb up to the mesa. Expect overgrown conditions. Expect grueling. Expect cacti. Then across the Mesa on Packard Trail under #53 for a climb up to some dwellings in a cave. Then return. Route finding is said to be a challenge. (I have not done this hike.)
You might want to have poles. Might want to have trail gaiters.
In mid-May it could be hot, it could be high water. There might be too much heat and or water so we’ll have to postpone. Here is the AllTrails link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/packard-trail?u=i&sh=yp9mav. It is also on HikeAZ. It would be a very good idea to have the GPS route downloaded.
Logistical Challenges: For Phoenix folk, the trailhead is about 2.5 hours from the Carefree McDonald’s. This is probably going to be slower going for the first 4 miles or so than normal. Sunrise is about 5:30 and Sunset about 7:30. So, we could start later, but we risk more heat, and that makes an early start in Phoenix. We could start earlier, if that’s what people would like, but 7 seems to be a good compromise.
Other Items:
This may not suitable for your first Central Arizona hike. You must plan for taking ample water as there will be no easy places to filter water. You must have nutrition. This is not a highly used trail. Rescue could be a long way away.
This hike may be cancelled or re-scheduled depending on weather.
Mike Wong will be co-hosting if we need to break into 2 groups. (Thank you, Mike.)
Understandings: None of the Organizers or Hosts are professional guides and none are being paid. They will not be held responsible for you. Each person who signs up for and/or participates in this event is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests.
Furthermore, hiking in Arizona has the obvious risks including, but not limited to: dehydration; over exposure to sun; poisonous snakes & reptiles; rabid animals; broken bones; stampeding livestock; stampeding electric bicycles; drowning; etc. You are assuming the risk of participating in the great outdoors. You agree not to hold the trip Planners, Leaders, Hosts, and/or Organizers responsible if you get injured. By attending you agree with these shared understandings.