Picketpost Mountain in Tonto National Forest, AZ

Hike Picketpost Mountain Tonto National Forest, AZ

Class 3 4.4 miles 2100 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Jan 21, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Picketpost Mountain is a gorgeous butte just off AZ-60, a standalone peak with cliffs on all sides, though a Class 3 route that's nearly a full-on trail leads to its summit. The hike is close enough to Phoenix that it gets a bunch of attention and is known as a classic scramble, but far enough away that it's not overrun. Any car can reach the Picket Post Trailhead, which is complete with a bathroom and lots of trail signage. This trailhead is used for accessing the Arizona Trail as well as the peak, and it seems popular for equestrians.

I set out along the Arizona Trail, which crosses a pretty creek before heading south for a half mile or so. Along the way I passed a sign pointing left for "Picketpost Trailhead", a bit confusing since the correct trail for reaching the peak leads right, and someone crossed out the arrow and wrote in their own notes. Soon I reached an unmarked trail that came in on the left, leaving the Arizona Trail and heading east. This trail is easy to follow and switchbacks up the northwest slope of Picketpost Mountain. Ahead I could see the steep gully where the route ascends the peak, a vital weakness surrounded by bright yellow cliffs.

Ascending more steeply, the trail heads up toward the base of this lower cliff band, some Class 2 scrambling along the way. There are various social trail options that lead generally in the correct direction, but I had to pay attention to stick to the main trail. Once at the cliff base, the trail traverses tot he right toward the mouth of the weakness, where the fun begins. Arrows painted on rocks point the way, though it's clear where to go and the graffiti is probably not necessary. I wrapped around into the drainage, where the trail keeps to the left side. A few short sets of Class 3 led me up fun sections of solid rock. The route ascends a few hundred feet through this narrow drainage. After a particularly pretty section of sloped rock complete with a trickle of water, the route leads out of the drainage on the left and a Class 2+ move leads to the slope above. The trail climbs steeply from here, keeping to the slope or the most part and entering the drainage higher up for a short time. It then emerges at the base of an upper cliff band above and continues to the mesatop above.

Once above the slope and on the mesatop, the hike changes drastically. Replacing the steeper scrambling, it was now a pleasant stroll through a wide, grassy summit area. The summit views from Picketpost Mountain were nice, Pinal Peak seen nearby and Weavers Needle in the Superstition Mountains visible in the distance. However, Picketpost Mountain is a bit on its own so much of the surrounding landscape is comprised of rolling hills.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Picketpost Mountain
4375 ft
1455 rise

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Starting along the Arizona Trail, Picketpost Mountain seen ahead.
Starting along the Arizona Trail, Picketpost Mountain seen ahead.
An easy creek crossing shortly after starting the hike.
An easy creek crossing shortly after starting the hike.
A confusing trail junction. Keep right.
A confusing trail junction. Keep right.
This unmarked trail comes in on the left, leaving the Arizona Trail.
This unmarked trail comes in on the left, leaving the Arizona Trail.
View back down the way I came, the Picket Post Trailhead seen center.
View back down the way I came, the Picket Post Trailhead seen center.
The trail leads up the slope left of center, then heads right and into the gully splitting the cliffs.
The trail leads up the slope left of center, then heads right and into the gully splitting the cliffs.
Progress up the slope on the left toward the cliff. You can see the scrambly section seen center. The summit is out of view, but from down here I falsely assumed it was the point on the right.
Progress up the slope on the left toward the cliff. You can see the scrambly section seen center. The summit is out of view, but from down here I falsely assumed it was the point on the right.
Some Class 2 on the way up the slope. The hike leads first to the cliff wall on the left.
Some Class 2 on the way up the slope. The hike leads first to the cliff wall on the left.
View back down one of the short Class 2 sections.
View back down one of the short Class 2 sections.
The trail approaches the cliff ahead and then traverses right, toward the gully.
The trail approaches the cliff ahead and then traverses right, toward the gully.
Traversing, approaching the gully.
Traversing, approaching the gully.
First Class 2/3 bit, which wraps around into the gully.
First Class 2/3 bit, which wraps around into the gully.
Just past the first scrambly section, I'd say this was the toughest move. A short Class 3 section up the crack seen left, made more difficult due to ice-covered rock. The hike keeps to the left side of the drainage, keeping out of the watercourse.
Just past the first scrambly section, I'd say this was the toughest move. A short Class 3 section up the crack seen left, made more difficult due to ice-covered rock. The hike keeps to the left side of the drainage, keeping out of the watercourse.
View down the crux move, Class 3.
View down the crux move, Class 3.
More scrambling past the crux, steep and solid.
More scrambling past the crux, steep and solid.
View down this next portion. You can see a man inspecting the crux portion below.
View down this next portion. You can see a man inspecting the crux portion below.
More fun scrambling, Class 2/3.
More fun scrambling, Class 2/3.
View back down the first sections of scrambling.
View back down the first sections of scrambling.
The trail continues ascending into a nice little nook.
The trail continues ascending into a nice little nook.
Entering a Class 2 nook.
Entering a Class 2 nook.
Trickling water cascades down slicker, sloped rock.
Trickling water cascades down slicker, sloped rock.
Class 2/3 up a featured chute (seen right), and then the route heads left to escape the gully.
Class 2/3 up a featured chute (seen right), and then the route heads left to escape the gully.
View back down the gully from above the scrambling. I came up from the center in this photo.
View back down the gully from above the scrambling. I came up from the center in this photo.
Class 2+, exiting the gully. The trail leads up the slope ahead toward the upper cliff band ahead. It enters the drainage again for a short time later on.
Class 2+, exiting the gully. The trail leads up the slope ahead toward the upper cliff band ahead. It enters the drainage again for a short time later on.
Ascending toward the base of the upper cliff.
Ascending toward the base of the upper cliff.
A short time in the drainage again.
A short time in the drainage again.
Final bit of ascending off the slope and up toward the mesatop above.
Final bit of ascending off the slope and up toward the mesatop above.
Class 2 to get onto the grassy mesatop.
Class 2 to get onto the grassy mesatop.
View back.
View back.
Pleasant stroll to the summit.
Pleasant stroll to the summit.
Another shot back as I near the summit, the Superstition Mountains seen in the distance.
Another shot back as I near the summit, the Superstition Mountains seen in the distance.
Picketpost Mountain summit, view south.
Picketpost Mountain summit, view south.
View toward Pinal Peak.
View toward Pinal Peak.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!