Parsons Spring: Is backpacking/camping allowed here?

[scottmackey]

I'm a bit confused, I read the reviews of this trail and there were several people who said this was a great backpacking trip, however, when looking through Teva-Joe's pictures I saw this:

http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=1350

Can someone with a little more knowledge about this trail fill me in? I'd greatly appreciate it!

[desertgirl]

You can camp beyond Parson's Spring....

I was out there a few weeks ago and its is a great hike -- it did get quite hot. The actual trail is a lot more exposed than the descriptions and pictures lead you to believe.

The trail is absolutely gorgeous where ever it hits the water. Nice Swimming holes (Summers Spring is great) and shady areas.

[MaryPhyl]

I'm a bit confused, I read the reviews of this trail and there were several people who said this was a great backpacking trip, however, when looking through Teva-Joe's pictures I saw this:

http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=1350

Can someone with a little more knowledge about this trail fill me in? I'd greatly appreciate it!

If you want to camp you have to go something like a quarter mile up beyond the spring. There is no water up there so stock up a ways before the water quits--it gets stagnant up near the end. I love this hike because it is so short and easy you can start late in the day. I think the other poster must be thinking about some other hike because there is absolutely no exposure. You hike down from the parking lot to the creek and then it is mostly flat after that. You do have to do some creek crossings but not till later on and they are not difficult.

[Leva]

Has anyone hiked this trail recently?

Years ago, it was very shady -- big cottonwood and sycamore trees, etc. But in the mid 90's there was a bad flood that took out most of the trees. The last time I was through there was about 97 and it was, indeed, quite "exposed" ... I haven't been back since. Some of the surviving trees may have filled in a bit -- what's it like now?

Leva