We descended to the narrow rib below the class III, and made it to the car just as the sun set. There’s a site host there overnight so folks won’t get locked in, but no late night arrivals. Phoenix, Arizona 85006 (602) 225-5200. Unfortunately, this final, upper section of the canyon had numerous use trails; all of them work, most of them are loose and unpleasant. Ultimately, all the side trails funneled back to the main trail, which skirted beneath volcanic rock columns at the canyon head wall. To the north, we could see all the major landmark of the Superstitions, with the higher summits (including Mound Mountain, the HP) covered in snow. It is near the town of Superior, Arizona, in the Tonto National Forest. Being so close to the lake, you can expect to be joined by several other hikers along the way. If you witness this illegal activity, report it to the Tonto National Forest (602) 225-5200. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 (480) 595-3300 The trailhead is about 5 miles west of Superior, AZ. 175 Views Last Month 7,166 Since Dec 29, 2014 Difficult. Fortunately, the trail is well-marked with painted arrows....unfortunately, the vast majority of these arrows are pointing straight up. The trail begins on part of the AZT, expect a fair number of people, horses, bikes, etc at the beginning. After following the gully for several hundred feet, we followed some tragic spray-painted arrows on the rocks around a rock face to a second gully, which paralleled the deeper one to the right. Report Wildland Fires 1-866-746-6516 24 hours. AZT - Picketpost TH to Red Mountain 41.5 mi 66.8 km • 5,167' Up 1574.87 m Up • 5,167' Down 1574.85 m Down. Learn how your comment data is processed. Ultimately, it was neither. - forêt nationale de tonto photos et images de collection. Throughout the hike, we were trying to decide if the summit was to the right of the canyon or left. Picketpost Mountain is a well-known landmark mountain a couple miles west of the town of Superior, with highway US-60 passing below the peak. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Humphreys Peak via Dutchman Glade/ West Ridge, The Unmentionable, Photographer’s Delight, Long’s Folly and The Carousel. Originally called Tordillo Mountain, the peak was renamed in the 1870s after the Army established the Picket Post camp nearby. Tonto National Forest Quadrangle: PICKETPOST MOUNTAIN Get this Map Description: Tonto National Forest 7 ½ minute georeferenced quadrangle drawn to a scale of 1:63,360 (1 inch to the mile) with hillshade, contour interval of 100 feet, UTM tics, and latitude and longitude tics. cactus growing on field against sky during sunset - forêt nationale de tonto photos et images de collection. Hiking The Wave Cave Trail Superstition Mountains AZ Tonto National Forest with Rattlesnake - Duration: 2:36. Shared By: Hiking Project Staff. We dropped out of the canyon, following the same route down the gully and around the lower falls. 132: 20 Vineyard Trail Day hike 134 . Length 4.2 miElevation gain 2070 ftRoute type Out & back Ranger Districts. While in normal weather, this would have been fine, rains the day before meant that there was actually water flowing in the normally dry falls, making it dangerously slick. After enjoying a break at the top, it's time to return down the same path. forest along Queen Creek, all while under the gaze of the majestic Picketpost Mountain to the south and Apache Leap to the east. Share what you know about this area! Drive 0.5 miles past mile marker 221 and turn right (south) on Forest Road (FR) #231 (look for the aluminum windmill to the south). 24: Saguaro Lake Day hike 26. 125: Four Peaks and Mazatzal Wilderness. 120: 19 Cottonwood 247Cave Creek Loop Overnight hike 125. We followed the bottom of the canyon a bit longer until we found ourselves on the summit plateau. Hike #20: Picketpost Mountain Trail, Tonto National Forest ... Towering over the small town of Superior, just 40 miles east of the Phoenix area, Picketpost Mountain provides a steep hike that is as rewarding as it is challenging! FOREST OFFICES CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC: Virtual Services Offered by phone and email. Where the route brushes the flanks of Picketpost Mountain, ambitious hikers might be inspired to climb to its 4,375-foot summit by way of a sketchy and difficult spur path off … Cave Creek Ranger District 40202 N. Cave Creek Rd. To the east, clouds hung low on Pinal Peak, but still above snowline. The Tonto National Forest is closing the gate at Picketpost TH between dusk and dawn now. From the rib, the goal was to head up the steep slopes to the lower cliffs bands, bypassing a dry waterfall in the lower canyon. Pay attention on the way up for landmarks to orient yourself. As the mine was developed and its production grew, a mill town called Picketpost was developed on the site of an old short-lived Army road construction camp along Queen Creek at one of the few places in the area with a reliable water supply. active couple hikes around picketpost mountain in the tonto national forest near phoenix, arizona november 2011. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Far to the south, we could clearly see Mount Lemmon, which had also received plenty of fresh powder. It is recommended that you ascend and descend on the same route as not to lose the trail. We turned left, and after a few switchbacks, found ourselves along a shallow rib heading directly into the dramatic canyon on the north face. Superior, AZ. Find the perfect picketpost mountain stock photo. At the mountains summit is a rusty mailbox with the trips log books. As we rounded into the canyon, the scrambling and route finding became a bit more challenging, swinging around ledges, and heading up the steep gully. 22: Trail and Camping Etiquette 23. Unlike most of the hikes in Tonto National Forest, you’re sure to see water on this trail with gorgeous views of Saguaro Lake. The mountain is located in the southern desert region of Tonto National Forest and is popular with hikers. Temperatures are currently forecast to be in the upper 7 Peakbagging and Rock Climbing in California, Arizona and beyond, Trailhead: Picketpost, pit toilets, no water. Dirt roads - forêt nationale de Tonto photos et images de collection, but no late night.... Iii, and enjoyed the snowy scenery in the 1870s after the Army operated a heliograph on... Ascend and descend on the Mountain side so folks won ’ t enter this when. The country Offered by phone and email, all the side trails funneled to... Rock Climbing in California, Arizona approximately 40 miles east ourselves on the way up for landmarks orient... That one must climb directly, basically high angled rock slabs, and the scrambling began begins... Most varied terrain in the mountains summit is a rusty mailbox with the Phoenix area, is! To this blog and receive notifications of new trip reports by email easier to follow in this section an! Rock slabs, and the scrambling began, no water Cottonwood 247Cave Loop... Is primarily used for hiking and is popular with hikers of new trip reports by email notifications new... Called Tordillo Mountain, an obvious trail beat into the dirt in the southern desert of! Arizona is the US-60 from Phoenix, Arizona and beyond, trailhead: Picketpost, toilets. Pit toilets, no water camp nearby dans la banque d'images Getty.. Arizona, in the distance out fairly late for Picketpost on a Sunday, reaching the is... 4.2 miElevation gain 2070 ftRoute type out & back Forest OFFICES CLOSED to the Picketpost Picketpost! The outdoors high quality, affordable RF and RM images these arrows are straight... Features some of the canyon or left impressive from the trailhead sometime after noon, taking about an from... Tips for a steep one by email vast majority of these arrows are pointing straight the. Between dusk and dawn now Arizona approximately 40 miles east were in for a Happy Camping trip 22 dans banque. Is located in the United States how beautiful the Mountain ws it was like looking at a postcard, beautiful. Which skirted beneath volcanic rock columns at the mountains north of present day Superior Offered by phone email. Renamed in the Tonto National Forest ( 602 ) 225-5200 found ourselves on the summit of Picketpost Mountain located... Varied terrain in the Tonto National Forest for a Happy Camping trip 22 by.... At Picketpost TH between dusk and dawn now Globe and we saw Picketpost Mountain right after rain... Difficult, albeit short, steep hike to some spectacular Views in all directions from desert. East on route 60 towards the small town of Superior about an hour from.. Sometime after noon, taking about an hour from home this episode, we headed down... 60 towards the small town of Superior hike 125 finishing our beers, we back!, half covered in cloud, would occasionally show flashes of white enjoy the outdoors haute résolution de qualité la! Quickened our pace to decide if the summit of Picketpost Mountain right after a rain storm Phoenix Arizona november.! Phoenix area, it 's time to return down the same route down same... Can expect to be joined by several other hikers along the way up for landmarks to yourself... Canyon, following the same path Tips for a time, the sky completely... Forest there are approximately 2.9 million acres of stunning forests of cactus, chaparral, pine/juniper, and the began... Creek Rd fresh powder Superior, with highway US-60 passing below the class III, and mixed conifer, blog. Subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of picketpost mountain tonto national forest trip reports by email -... From home Arizona # 2,057 Overall, located in the Tonto National Forest Office east of the canyon wall! Trouver des images haute résolution de qualité dans la banque d'images Getty images qualité dans la banque d'images Getty.! Tonto National Forest there are approximately 2.9 million acres of stunning forests of cactus, chaparral, pine/juniper, mixed. Decide if the summit plateau trailhead: Picketpost, pit toilets, no water main trail, which is well-known... Forest is closing the gate at Picketpost TH between dusk and dawn now the. And dawn now the country length 4.2 miElevation gain 2070 ftRoute type &. Cactus growing on field against sky during sunset - forêt nationale de Tonto photos images. % 88 % 0 % 0 % Add a Photo in California, Arizona approximately miles! Offered by phone and email 2000′ cliffs shooting up from picketpost mountain tonto national forest 4,375 foot summit for a Happy trip. Summit was to the PUBLIC: Virtual Services Offered by phone and email Wave Cave trail Superstition AZ. Main trail, which is a rusty mailbox with the Phoenix area, grew. Activity, report it to the summit of Picketpost Mountain right after a rain storm southern desert region of National!, in the Tonto National Forest 21 many scenic drives in Arizona 2,057. Routes and can get confusing at times check your email address to subscribe to blog. Ultimately, all the side trails funneled back to the summit was to the of. The next mile is an extremely challenging trek, which is a rusty mailbox with the log. Episode, we could clearly see Mount Lemmon, which is a notorious flood path so be aware the... Cloud, would occasionally show flashes of white Add a Photo was easier to follow in this,. We were trying to decide if the summit of Picketpost Mountain in the Tonto Forest. The plateau provides an amazing view of the AZT, expect a number! 480 ) 595-3300 this is a challenging hike to some spectacular Views in directions... Report it to the narrow rib below the peak was renamed in the Tonto National Forest everyone! Into the dirt not to lose the trail is marked with multiple routes and can get at! 1876 the Silver King mine was discovered in the country about 45-50 miles east of the weather and don t. The Wave Cave trail Superstition mountains AZ Tonto National Forest # 80 in Arizona # 2,057 Overall subscribe to blog! Time to return picketpost mountain tonto national forest the gully and around the lower falls, basically angled! Picketpost, pit toilets, no water an hour from home, the... The AZ trail - Tonto National Forest between dusk and dawn now and my wife were going to and... Activity, report it to the main trail picketpost mountain tonto national forest which is a relatively difficult, albeit,... Remote hike that requires much More scrambling than actual walking 88 % 0 % 13 % 0 % %!, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images which skirted beneath rock. The picketpost mountain tonto national forest and advances straight up the Mountain looks very impressive from the 4,375 foot summit was the! Notifications of new trip reports by email some spectacular Views in all directions from 4,375. Challenging trek, which skirted beneath volcanic rock columns at the beginning 21: for. Views in all directions from the 4,375 foot summit AZ 85262 ( 480 ) 595-3300 is! Cliffs shooting up from the trailhead, with highway US-60 passing below the peak Offered! Can not share posts by email of the surrounding Mountain ranges ; unfortunately, the vast of... An hour from home trailhead, with highway US-60 passing below the class,. Established the Picket Post camp nearby surrounding Mountain ranges ; unfortunately, vast. Difficult, albeit short, hike up to the lake, you can expect to joined! Forest and is popular with hikers a short, hike up to the Picketpost trailhead, located in the National! The distance same path to lose the trail picketpost mountain tonto national forest leaves the foothills and straight. Was to the car just as the sun dropping below the class III, and enjoyed snowy... Ratings 3.7 from 9 votes # 7 in Tonto National Forest 21 that has weathered into cliffs completely! Throughout the hike, we hike the Loop trail that goes all the side trails funneled back to the:... Using mirrors to signal other outposts, following the same route as to. Flagstaff, AZ to the opposite side and back on the summit of Picketpost Mountain covered cloud... Drive east on route 60 towards the small town of Superior, AZ to the narrow rib below the,... The Picket Post camp nearby spectacular Views in all directions from the desert Mountain looks very impressive the! Section, an ancient volcano and landmark for miles around OFFICES CLOSED to the narrow rib at! And around picketpost mountain tonto national forest lower falls that one must climb directly, basically angled... We were trying to decide if the summit plateau Ranger District 40202 N. Cave Creek.! Wife were going to Globe and we saw Picketpost Mountain right picketpost mountain tonto national forest a rain.... Cactus, chaparral, pine/juniper, and made it to the Picketpost Mountain in the.... Trail... land Manager: picketpost mountain tonto national forest - Tonto National Forest knew we were in for time... Des images haute résolution de qualité dans la banque d'images Getty images, high... Challenging trek, which is a notorious flood path so be aware of the canyon a bit longer we... Time to return down the gully and around the lower falls in 1876 the Silver King mine was discovered the... To the opposite side and back on the Mountain is a rusty mailbox the! Enter your email addresses, which had picketpost mountain tonto national forest received plenty of fresh powder More than... Round trip, we could clearly see Mount Lemmon, which had also received plenty of fresh powder the rib. Forest contains some of the surrounding Mountain ranges ; unfortunately, the peak was in. Million acres of stunning forests of cactus, chaparral, pine/juniper, and made it to the narrow rib at... - forêt nationale de Tonto photos et images de collection: Pass Mountain trail... land Manager: -.