September 15 is the last official day of the Arizona monsoon season. After a good wet season, this day proved to be a perfect time to hike in the high country. Twenty-four Arizona Trailblazers were met with fields of yellow wild flowers, many pools of water, and deep green grasses on this 8 mile hike.

Organization of the hike was a little challenging with 10 hikers staying with Dave and Barbara in Munds Park on Friday night, 11 more hikers driving up from Phoenix or Cottonwood to join them on Saturday morning and caravan to the trailheads and three more hikers that camped near Sycamore Canyon and meeting the group at the trailheads.

Given the number of hikers, we decided to do a key swap with 10 hikers going from east to west and 11 hikers going from west to east. Three hikers wanted a shorter hike and started at the Vista trailhead and hiked west to Pomeroy (Debbie, Cyd and Monika). After the hike, the hikers got in the eight vehicles and met so drivers, riders and gear could be sorted out before we caravanned to Williams.

Since the trip leader went from West to East, the hike will be described in that direction.

A short distance from the trailhead are the Pomeroy Tanks, a year-around source of water for wildlife. We followed the creek bed for a mile or so and had to cross the wet, but not flowing creek three times.

Sycamore Falls marks the west end of this massive canyon. A shear drop off creates a great spot for a waterfall in very wet weather. There were pools of water in the bottom. This feeder canyon is also known as Spring Canyon.

After 3.3 miles of hiking, the West to East hikers arrived at Vista Point where we had lunch and took a well-deserved break. The East to West hikers had 5 miles to get to that point. We met near where the Vista trailhead trail departed from the main trail and the drivers swapped keys and we took a group picture (minus the 3 hikers that went from Vista to Pomeroy).

The hike continued along the rim with good views of the canyon. Toward the east end of the hike is Dow Springs with lots of water and lush vegetation. We also passed the site of an old saw mill.

After the hike we went to Cruisers Route 66 Café in Williams for a light supper on their ample patio facing Old Route 66.