The hike planned for today that circles Picketpost Mountain and follows Arnett Creek was changed because of the debris washed down from the rains this season. The whole group of the short and long hikes started to the southeast of the trailhead sign and toward the base of Picketpost Mountain. This sandy trail leads to rock formations formed into ridges (spurs) from erosion from the surrounding mountains. This terrain of the spurs and draws form a scenic landscape seen often from the switchbacks that wind through these rocky areas.
About 2 miles into the hike the trail meets a wash or arroyos (a stream bed that dries up when there is no rain). A stream is flowing here today due to the heavy rainfall last week and previous rainy weather. From here the trail climbs steadily around hills and follows the Arizona Trail until we turned left (rocks barred the trail because it is a diversion from the Arizona Trail). This new trail continues upward where we could see evidence of volcanic rock (welded tuff) along the side of the mountain. The trail follows a wide wash area and we turned to the left at the marked section where there is a short walk to a stream and draw where we stopped for lunch. After lunch, we walked back until we turned into a wash area where we continued to the trail that led us back to the Arizona Trail. From here we walked down to the arroyos and crossed the stream we passed earlier. The wash (arroyos) is in view of Picketpost Mountain and the Arizona Trail is visible at times on the other side of the creek. This trail leads to the Alamo Canyon road and meets with the trailhead.
Picketpost Mountain is named after a military encampment at the base of the mountain in 1870. This was a time of the Apache wars and General Stoneman was the head of the camp.
For more information and websites to visit so to our December hikes on Picketpost.
If you are interested in the many rock formations in this area there is Geological information on the following websites.
THE GEOLOGY OF PICKETPOST MOUNTAIN, PINAL COUNTY, ARIZONA by Eleanor W. Nelson A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 1 9 6 6.
Geologic map of the Picketpost Mountain and the southern part of the Iron Mountain 7 1/2' Quadrangles, Pinal County, Arizona by Jon E. Spencer and Stephen M. Richard Open-File Report 95-15 September 1995 Includes 12 p. text and one plate (scale 1 :24,000) Arizona Geological Survey 416 W. Congress St., Suite 100, Tucson, Arizona 85701 Jointly funded by tile Arizona Geological Survey alld tile U.S. Geological Survey under STATEMAP Program Contract #1434-94-A-1222.
Igneous Rocks
http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/book/export/html/1055
Directions:
Picketpost Loop, 8.3 mi., B-, 3.5 hr. or
Arnett Creek Canyon out and back, 6 mi., C, 3 hr.
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.
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