Catalina Mts: Prison Camp to Sycamore Reservoir

Let's go up to the Cool Cats for a nice little hike with big trees and big views.

This will be new territory for me and I am looking forward to it.

From what I have been able to find out this trail promises to be a mighty fine hike.
Big oaks, sweeping views of the rocky slopes of nearby peaks and the lush area around the reservoir make it sound like a winner.

We will hike at a leisurely pace taking time to explore the prison ruins, enjoy the views and catch our breath when needed.

Distance: 4.8 mile RT (Rated Intermediate) Total elevation change: 821' (See profile at bottom) TH El. 4880' High point 5040' Sycamore Reservoir 4480' No Dogs please No water, toilets at TH We will depart LeBuzze at 10:30

The trail head starts at the parking area in the back of the Gordon Hirabayashi Campground.

If you plan to meet us at the TH Take the Catalina Highway off Tanque Verde Road in Tucson. Drive 4.2 miles to the Forest boundary and continue approximately 7 miles to the campground. As you go up the mountain, the campground entrance is on your left.
Both the TH parking area and the trail can be viewed on this Google Map (http://maps.google.com/maps/myplaces?hl=en&ll=32.33782,-110.71661&spn=0.00901,0.01929&ctz=420&t=h&z=16).

There is a terrain map here (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Prison%20Camp%20to%20Sycamore%20Reservoir%20-%20Terrain%20Map.jpg) which shows the Catalina Hwy, Campground and Trail.

General info:

The Aspen Fire burned this area in 2003, but most of the big oaks remain. Some nearby ruins of the historic Prison Camp (http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/forest/recreation/camping/sites/gordonh_history.shtml) are now more visible.

The "Catalina Federal Honor Camp" (AKA: prison) was established in 1939 to provide prison labor to build the Catalina Highway. During World War II many of the prisoners at the Honor Camp were draft resisters and conscientious objectors. In 1999, the recreation area was renamed for its most famous prisoner, Gordon Hirabayishi, who served 90 days there for challenging the constitutionality of internment of Japanese American citizens.

All of the prisoners at the honor camp had been convicted of Federal crimes, ranging from immigration law violations to tax evasion to bank robbery. During World War II, many of the prisoners at the honor camp were conscientious objectors, such as Jehovah's Witnesses and Hopi Indians, whose religions prohibited them from serving in the military. Some of the prisoners were Japanese Americans protesting the "Japanese American Relocation," the largest forced removal and incarceration in U.S. history.

In 1942, Gordon Hirabayashi was a senior at the University of Washington in Seattle. Instead of reporting for relocation, Hirabayashi turned himself in to the FBI. He challenged the constitutionality of internment and a curfew imposed on Japanese American Citizens, since both were based solely on race or ancestry. More... (http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/forest/recreation/camping/sites/gordonh_history.shtml)

Sycamore Reservoir was originally constructed to supply water to an old prison camp along the Catalina Highway. This small lake has been made even smaller by flash floods which have washed huge amounts of rock and sand into the lake. Still, the reservoir and surrounding area remains a pleasant destination for a day trip or an overnight. A sand beach and stands of alder, willow and sycamore grace various parts of its shoreline. Riparian vegetation extends into the two canyons that come together to form the dam site, providing habitat for birds and other watchable wildlife. More... (http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/forest/recreation/trails/sycamore_res.shtml)

Email or call if you need more info
WV-Mike: 304.290.8066

As always: Come prepared and hike at your own risk

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