You have to go into the mountains around Tucson to climb public trees. I chose to go into the Santa Catalina Mtns in the Coronado National Forest. Along the highway they have a bunch of pulloffs for scenic viewing. I found a stand of sycamore trees in a dry riverbed next to the road. I had to climb down the side of the road about 50' to get to the riverbed, but it wasn't too bad. I climbed a sycamore that seemed to have the least amount of lean (the one furthest to the right in the picture below). Second picture was taken when I was in the tree at about 50'. It's a view of the canyon I was in.
Until I was in the tree, I had forgotten about the discussion of the white powder on sycamores. Although there was a lot of dust, it didn't bother me. I did take a shower as soon as I could, though.

I didn't spend quite as much time in the tree as I would have liked, but the canyon was starting to get dark and I didn't feel like making a mistake while I was alone in a new area. I had a headlight and a phone, but why take chances? Overall, a great climb in a great area.

Patrick

Patrick,

Nice pics.

I went hiking along a local river and found the sycamores to be more enticing to climb. Last spring I climbed one that leaned. I was intrigued by the entry of walking up the trunk, but I noticed that I scuffed it rather easily. Because I couldn't find any better trees, I climbed a sycamore last week. This time, I climbed on rope and minimized my steps onto the tree.

The white powder hasn't been a bother for me.

Wonder if the season has anything to do with it? That stuff made me crazy, plus turned my rope yellow, but it was in the spring...

I'll stick with my oaks and Hickories

Great Pics by the way...

Climb Safe!
Icabod