Dogie Trail – Sycamore Pass

Parking at Sycamore Pass

Location: 34°55'21.08"N; 111°59'41.80"W

Elevation: 4681

Thirteen Skyliners (Donna Goodman, Betty Wolters, Daisy Williams, Anita Jackson, Dolly Yapp, Miriam Sterling, Marvin Alt, Gordon Bice, Fran Lind, Lila Walker, Ellis Price and two others) hiked on Dogie Trail in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness on 10 April 2010. On 28 January 2017, Jim Manning led a second group of hikers (Karl Sink, Glenn Sperry, Jon Beach, Jim Manning, Chris Jensen, Jim Gibson, Dana Smith and Dave Beach). From Cottonwood, both groups took State Highway 89A to FR 525 just past mile marker 364. Then followed FR 525 for about 2.8 miles before turning left on FR 525C (Sycamore Pass Road) and continuing for about 9 miles to arrive at the Dogie Trailhead at Sycamore Pass.

Our hike leader for the 2010 hike, apparently still aggravated from our failure to remain closely grouped on a previous hike, lectured us severely about Skyliner Rules. Most importantly, we were told not to get ahead of the leader and to remain together so that she would know where everyone was at all times. She also said that we were supposed to be a social group and that we were to remain together and enjoy socializing as a group. Altogether, it reminded me of being chewed out by Chief Petty Officer Weir, my Company Commander during recruit training in 1951.

On the 2016 hike, one member, had a problem with his legs part-way into the hike and had to turn back; Dave Beach remained with him while the rest of the group continued on to Sycamore Creek. I had noted in 2010 that a couple of signs, with the trail name misspelled as “Doggie” instead of “Dogie,” were posted at the parking area and along the way to where the trail officially starts. No one mentioned the signs on this hike and I don't know whether they have been corrected. In any case hikers pass through a gate at the saddle about 200 yards from the parking area and enter the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness through a gate. Dogie Trail starts at this point.

After passing through the gate in April 2010 , I paused to take a couple of photographs looking ahead into the wilderness.

Looking into Sycamore Creek Wilderness from the saddle

Looking into Sycamore Creek wilderness from the saddle

On leaving the saddle the trail, at first, leads fairly steeply downhill. The following photograph shows the trail as it appeared in April 2010.

Heading down into the wilderness from the saddle on Dogie Trail  - 2010

For the current hike it was covered with ice, as shown in the below photograph, provided by Jim Manning.

Treacherous, ice-covered trail in February 2017

Probably the most distinctive rock formation along the trail is shown below. I thought it looked a bit like a giant coffee mug.

Rock formation resembling a giant coffee mug

We saw numerous flowers along the way in 2010.

Creamcups                                                    Dwarf mountain ragwort (?)

Purple milkvetch                                           Touristplant or Draba

Plains blackfoot/Blackfoot Daisy             Dock of some sort

Just under 1.75 miles from the parking lot we passed Sycamore Tank. The tank contained very little water in 2010. But, as we noted on the way back in on that hike, enough to attract a couple of migrating ducks. Sadly, my attempt to photograph the ducks resulted in nothing useful. However, Jim photographed the now-brimming tank, alas without ducks, during the current hike.

Sycamore Tank in January 2017

After traveling just over 5.5 miles from the parking lot we reached Sycamore Creek. From here the trail crosses the creek and continues upstream along the opposite side to connect with the Taylor Cabin Trail about one-half mile ahead. We stopped in 2010 and again in 2017 at the stream for lunch before turning back. In 2010, I ate rapidly, had a quick hot tea and settled in for a nap. I managed to find a nice spot several yards from the group and the quiet murmuring of the creek soon lulled me to sleep. I awakened about forty-five minutes later when the other hikers were up and ready to head back up the trail. I lingered a bit to take a photograph.

Looking up Sycamore Creek from the Dogie Trail Crossing in 2010

The hikers report that Sycamore Creek was running full, bank to bank, at the time of the 2017 hike.  Unfortunately, no one thought to take a photograph. 

The total hiking distance was 11.3 miles as shown by my GPS in 2010. This distance was recorded from the parking lot to Sycamore Creek and back. So far as I can determine, no GPS track was recorded for the current hike. The GPS profile for the hike shows a maximum elevation of 4881 feet and a minimum of 4194 feet. The elevation change on Dogie Trail between the parking area and Sycamore Creek is only 687 feet; however, the total in-and-out ascent, due to all the ridges and washes crossed along the way, was recorded as 2251 feet. It is not a difficult hike, but does require some stamina.

The map included as part of this report (below) shows the GPS track recorded in 2010 for this hike.

NOTE: On some maps, Dogie Trail is incorrectly listed as part of Taylor Cabin Trail.