December 23, 2016 - Picketpost South, a section of the Arizona Trail

Hike Description from Peter's notes from prior hikes

The hike starts from the east side of the parking area to the left of the large Arizona Trail sign. This trail climbs to the east towards the base of Picketpost Mountain and then heads in a southerly direction and winds around the top of numerous draws before dropping down into a wash. We reach this point after a one hour hike.

There is another route to get to this point. By going directly south from the large Arizona Trail sign and following first the jeep road and then when that ends, into the wash. You can walk the wash until the higher trail descends and parallels the wash, after about a half hour of hiking. At this point leave the wash and use the trail. The wash segment is not as scenic as the higher trail and is harder to walk. You can go out one way and back another to add some variety to the hike.

The trail climbs again steadily and crosses or goes around a series of low hills and heads toward a higher hill to the south. You come to the summit of the climb after about another hour of hiking. The trail crosses the face of the high hill and then goes up a draw between two more high hills and into a canyon area where three canyons meet. This is a very scenic stretch of trail and there is a natural lookout point on a portion of the trail that juts out over the canyons, before going around the canyon area. We stopped here, although the trail continues on. You return by the same route. We took the wash section up but returned via the higher trail, staying on the trail where the wash and the trail meet.

Interesting History in the area we hike in. See the website below.

http://www.zybtarizona.com/suhist.htm

  

  

 

  

  

Directions

From Florence go north to the junction with Hwy 60.  Go right on Highway 60 toward Superior for  9 miles to milepost 221.5 and turn right at the brown Picketpost Trailhead sign onto FS Road 231.  Drive  .4 miles and then turn left at the brown sign onto FS Road 310. Proceed for .6 miles into the parking area.

Coordinates: 33°16’21.63”N   111°10’37.21”W

Facilities:  Pit toilets, ample parking.