Latest update on the Sycamore Spring Reservoir from GROK

 Sycamore Spring Reservoir

(just used GROK to write an article, and found this blog used as a source.  That is correct, this blog is a source now lol. But it USED THE POST I MADE WITH GROK AS THE SOURCE! Of course there is nothing From Wikipeida, because it is not found on Wikipedia)

Sycamore Spring Reservoir, also known as Sycamore Reservoir, is a small, historic body of water nestled in the Santa Catalina Mountains within the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, approximately 13 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona, in Pima County. Here’s a detailed overview based on available information: ### **Location and Description** - **Geographic Details**: The reservoir is located at an elevation of approximately 4,373–4,377 feet (1,334 meters) at the junction of Sycamore and Bear Canyons. Its GPS coordinates are approximately 32.3492629°N, -110.7463116°W.

https://www.anyplaceamerica.com/directory/az/pima-county-04019/reservoirs/sycamore-reservoir-35059/

https://mapcarta.com/22978918

- **Physical Characteristics**: Originally constructed as a lake, the reservoir has significantly silted in since 1992, transforming it into a marshy riparian area. It features a sandy beach and is surrounded by stands of alder, willow, and sycamore trees, creating a scenic and lush environment. The reservoir is fed by waters from Bear and Sabino Canyons, and when full, a small waterfall can form at the dam, adding to its aesthetic appeal.

https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=454

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coronado/recreation/trails/sycamore-reservoir-trail-39

https://www.freearenas.com/sycamore-reservoir-pima-county-az-united-states-near-mount-lemmon-arizona.html

### **Historical Significance** - **Purpose and Origin**: Built in 1939 to supply water to the Catalina Federal Honor Camp (also known as the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site), a former prison camp along the Catalina Highway, the reservoir played a critical role in supporting the camp’s operations. The prison camp’s concrete foundations are still visible near the trailhead.

https://thingsnotfoundonwikipedia.blogspot.com/2025/02/entries-from-here-done-with-grok.html

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coronado/recreation/trails/sycamore-reservoir-trail-39 - **Current State**: Due to flash floods, the reservoir has accumulated significant rock and sand, reducing its water-holding capacity. Despite this, it remains a pleasant destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts.https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coronado/recreation/trails/sycamore-reservoir-trail-39 ### **Access and Trail Information** - **Trail Details**: The Sycamore Reservoir Trail (#39) is a popular, moderately challenging out-and-back trail starting from the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site, near milepost 7 on the Catalina Highway. The trail is approximately 7.2 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of about 1,158 feet, taking around 3.5–4 hours to complete. It descends gradually from Shreve Saddle (5,000 feet) to the reservoir (4,400–4,500 feet) and offers stunning views of the Santa Catalina Mountains, rocky canyons, and diverse landscapes.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/sycamore-reservoir-trail

https://hikelemmon.com/sycamore-reservoir-trail/ - **Trail Features**: - The trail begins at the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site, accessible via a paved road, with a dirt road section that may require a high-clearance vehicle if the gate is open. Low-clearance vehicles should park at the last building slab to avoid the 1.25-mile dirt road to the trailhead.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/sycamore-reservoir-trail

https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/us/arizona/sycamore-reservoir-trail - The trail passes through areas affected by the Aspen Fire, with visible burn scars but signs of ecological recovery. It is part of the Arizona National Scenic Trail, offering scenic vistas, especially at Shreve Saddle

https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=454 - A short spur trail leads to the historic concrete dam, which is a highlight for visitors, though caution is advised due to steep cliffs and loose rocks.

https://blog.summithut.com/Sycamore-Reservoir-Trail/

https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1805 - **Activities**: Popular activities include hiking, backpacking, camping, and running. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. The trail is best visited from September to May due to milder temperatures. Swimming, fishing, and other water activities are possible when water is present, though water levels vary and purification is recommended.

https://www.anyplaceamerica.com/directory/az/pima-county-04019/reservoirs/sycamore-reservoir-35059/

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/sycamore-reservoir-trail)[](https://blog.summithut.com/Sycamore-Reservoir-Trail/ ### **Environmental and Ecological Features** - **Flora and Fauna**: The reservoir’s riparian area supports diverse wildlife and bird populations, with cottonwoods, sycamores, and willows providing shade and habitat. Recent reviews note the presence of wildlife like tarantulas and snakes, and the area is known for its vibrant fall colors.[](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/sycamore-reservoir-trail)[](https://www.freearenas.com/sycamore-reservoir-pima-county-az-united-states-near-mount-lemmon-arizona.html) - **Weather and Conditions**: The reservoir area is typically dry, with occasional water flow below the dam or from the spring within it. Historical weather data (1971–2000) from the nearby Sabino Canyon station (2,640 feet elevation) indicates average summer highs of 99–101°F and winter lows of 38–44°F, with low precipitation levels (0.22–2.49 inches monthly). Summer hikes require ample water and sun protection due to limited shade.[](https://www.anyplaceamerica.com/directory/az/pima-county-04019/reservoirs/sycamore-reservoir-35059/)[](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/sycamore-reservoir-trail) ### **Visitor Information** - **Accessibility**: The trail is generally well-maintained, with easy-to-follow signage, though some sections may be rocky or narrow. The trailhead is accessible by passenger car, but seasonal gate closures may add distance to the hike. No permit is required for hiking, but a Coronado Recreational Pass or National Pass may be needed for parking in certain areas ($8/day, $10/week, or $40/year).[](https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=454)[](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/sycamore-reservoir-trail) - **Reviews and Popularity**: The trail has a 4.6-star rating from 696 reviews on AllTrails, praised for its scenic views, moderate difficulty, and solitude during quieter times. Hikers appreciate the diverse terrain and the reservoir’s shaded, riparian environment.[](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/sycamore-reservoir-trail) - **Safety Notes**: Hikers should stay on the main trail to prevent erosion and avoid unofficial spurs. The area can be hot, especially in summer, so bring sufficient water and sunscreen. The dam area has steep cliffs, requiring caution.[](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coronado/recreation/trails/sycamore-reservoir-trail-39)[](https://blog.summithut.com/Sycamore-Reservoir-Trail/) ### **Additional Notes** - **Connectivity**: The trail connects to other routes like the Bear Canyon Trail and East Fork Trail, allowing for longer hikes or loops (e.g., to Thimble Peak, a 10.1-mile hike with 2,439 feet elevation gain).[](https://www.outdoorproject.com/az/thimble-peak-sycamore-reservoir-trail)[](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/thimble-peak-via-sycamore-reservoir-trail) - **Cultural Significance**: The reservoir is near the Gordon Hirabayashi Recreation Site, named after a civil rights figure who resisted internment during WWII, adding historical context to the area.[](https://hikelemmon.com/sycamore-reservoir-trail/) For further details, you can explore topographic maps or trail guides available at AnyPlaceAmerica.com or AllTrails.com, or visit the Coronado National Forest website for official trail information. If you’re planning a visit, check current weather and trail conditions, as water availability and trail status can vary.[](https://www.anyplaceamerica.com/directory/az/pima-county-04019/reservoirs/sycamore-reservoir-35059/)[](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/sycamore-reservoir-trail)[](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coronado/recreation/trails/sycamore-reservoir-trail-39)

How to become an xkcd expert

 https://anyg.me/xkcd/

1985 Cheyenne flood

 Not found on Wikipedia

https://x.com/NikolovScience, Ned Nikolov, Ph.D.

 https://x.com/NikolovScience

The missing sink, the missing carbon sink

 Still not found

The Stadium Wave - a hypothesized multidecadal climate variability pattern proposed by climate scientist Judith Curry

 The stadium wave refers to a hypothesized multidecadal climate variability pattern proposed by climate scientist Judith Curry and others. It describes a propagating, hemispheric-scale oscillation in climate variables like temperature, sea ice, and atmospheric circulation, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. The term draws an analogy to a "wave" moving through a stadium crowd, where different regions experience synchronized climate anomalies that shift over time.

Key Features of the Stadium Wave:

1. Multidecadal Oscillation: The stadium wave operates on a roughly 60- to 80-year cycle, involving a sequence of climate shifts that propagate across various regions and systems.
2. Interconnected Systems: It involves interactions among major climate systems, such as:
   • Oceanic oscillations: Like the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO).
   • Atmospheric patterns: Jet stream behavior and atmospheric pressure systems.
   • Cryosphere: Sea ice extent in the Arctic and Antarctic.
3. Phased Propagation: The wave manifests as a sequence where anomalies (e.g., warm or cool phases) in one region or system lead or lag those in others, creating a coordinated, wave-like progression. For example, a warm AMO phase might precede changes in Arctic sea ice or Eurasian temperatures.
4. Natural Variability: The stadium wave emphasizes internal climate variability rather than external forcings (like greenhouse gases or solar activity), though it may interact with them.

Mechanism:

The stadium wave suggests that feedback loops between ocean, atmosphere, and ice create a self-sustaining cycle. For instance:

• Changes in ocean temperatures (e.g., AMO shifting to a warm phase) influence atmospheric circulation.
• This alters wind patterns, which affect sea ice distribution.
• Sea ice changes, in turn, influence ocean heat release, feeding back into the system.

Evidence and Research:

• The concept was introduced in a 2013 study by Marcia Wyatt and Judith Curry, published in Climate Dynamics. They analyzed historical climate data and identified a signal where anomalies in temperature, sea ice, and other variables appeared to propagate across the Northern Hemisphere in a predictable sequence.
• The stadium wave is supported by observations of synchronized multidecadal patterns in paleoclimate records, historical temperature data, and climate model simulations, though its exact drivers remain debated.
• It has been used to explain periods of accelerated warming or cooling, such as the mid-20th century cooling period or the early 21st-century Arctic sea ice decline.

Implications:

• Climate Prediction: The stadium wave suggests that natural variability could play a significant role in short- to medium-term climate trends, potentially complicating attribution of changes to human activity.
• Arctic Sea Ice: The wave may contribute to periods of rapid ice loss or recovery, as seen in recent decades.
• Controversy: Some climate scientists are skeptical, arguing the signal may be an artifact of data analysis or that it’s overshadowed by anthropogenic forcing. Others see it as a useful framework for understanding internal variability.

Limitations:

• The stadium wave is primarily a descriptive model based on observed correlations, and its mechanistic underpinnings are not fully understood.
• It focuses on the Northern Hemisphere, with less clarity on its global applicability.
• Distinguishing the wave’s signal from anthropogenic climate change or other forcings remains challenging.