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Segment Length	from PHX	to ABQ	Segment Status	Season
17.6 mi.	29		finalized & accessible	fall, winter, spring
Resources
OVERVIEW MAP ELEVATION PROFILE G.E.T. Topo Maps 4-6 Town Guide: Superior Water Chart Image Gallery: Album 1				Additional maps: Tonto National Forest (USFS) visit PLIC website Land managing agency: Tonto N.F. Mesa Ranger District (480) 610-3300 Tonto N.F. Globe Ranger District (928) 402-6200

SEGMENT OVERVIEW

Although not in officially-designated wilderness, this segment nonetheless makes for a scenic, interesting, and remote extension southward from Segment 1 toward the very edge of the Superstition Mountains. Section hikers and very strong weekend hikers may find it convenient to traverse both of these segments in one go, rather than accessing either via the remote trailhead at Rogers Trough. Segment 2 begins near the upper elevational threshold of the Sonoran desert, climbs a bit higher, but soon descends rapidly to the low country, touring among lush desert foothills and canyons holding seasonal water. Our route here follows the Arizona Trail (AZT) exclusively, most of which is located on foot trail, much of it new, in good condition, and little-used, although you might encounter other hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians in the second half of this segment, especially on weekends.

ROUTE DETAILS

From the dirt parking area at Rogers Trough Trailhead, our GET/AZT route begins by heading south on FR 172A. Brown, carsonite posts branded with Arizona Trail decals may appear sporadically at roadside, a common blazing convention along the entire AZT portion of our route. At 0.3, reach a 3-way road junction and turn left. (FR 172A continues right here.) Our new road (FR 650) becomes steep and rough as it climbs, soon reaching good outlooks toward the west. The road then descends slightly to cross a shallow drainage in lightly forested terrain, before climbing toward a remarkable outlook, with Weaver's Needle visible below among the complex ridges of the western Superstitions. Farther left in the scene, the waters of the distant Gila River often refract the late afternoon sun. Picketpost Mountain, approached in Segment 3, is visible beyond Montana Mountain, our near objective.

At 2.0 (waypoint 02040), by a cairn, just before a road sign for Trail 509 (facing the other way), our route turns right off the road onto foot trail. This is Reavis Canyon Trail, which is numbered as Trail 580 on a nearby wooden trail sign, rather than 509 as elsewhere. The trail traverses uphill toward a saddle near the top of Montana Mountain (5,557'), then turns east to pass through a gate. The town of Superior can be seen in the valley of Queen Creek to the south. Picketpost Mountain and the rugged peaks of the White Canyon Wilderness are also in view, and beyond them, lone Antelope Peak, which is approached in Segment 5, as well as the distant Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson.

The mesquite and grass-lined trail now descends in a long series of switchbacks on the southern flank of Montana Mountain. The switchbacks number over 30 in total, and are not well represented on the map set, despite what should be an accurate mileage assessment. Finally, and with potentially sore knees, reach the drainage of Reavis Trail Canyon at 4.4. The trail meanders back and forth across the rocky drainage, which may be flowing in springtime or have pools at other times (especially around 33 22.763 N   111 08.435 W). Short sections of 2009-constructed trail now keep the trail from following the drainage itself for any length. The trail contours briefly away from the drainage near 6.4, passing through a green metal gate as it descends again toward the creek, soon reaching an old stone-wall corral where a camp could be made. A small dirt trailhead appears not far beyond, where our trail reaches Whitford Canyon and a dirt road crossing at 7.9.

Arizona Trail singletrack tread continues across FR 650, first climbing north and east, then, from about 8.5, contouring easily southward in and out of saguaro, cholla, and ocotillo-dotted gullies. Pass through a wire gate at 9.6, then at 11.2 cross FR 650 again at a well-signed junction.

Our singletrack trail now follows the drainage of Whitford Canyon, first on its eastern embankment, then through a small but colorful box canyon section where you may find water in wetter times. Beyond, the trail proceeds near the wash, crosses it a couple of times, and leaves it briefly near a rocky bend at about 12.3. Pools of water may persist down in the drainage near this bend.

At 12.8 the GET/AZT crosses a 4WD road and then winds up a low ridge, passing through a pair of gates in wire fencing near 13.5. Picketpost Mountain looms ahead as the trail proceeds south along the open, rocky ridgeline, descends beneath a pair of powerlines, and then reaches a 2-track road at 15.4 (waypoint 02140).

Hikers bound for Superior may prefer to leave the route here (rather than ahead at busy US 60 where the trail crosses it 4.5 miles west of town) and instead follow the quiet 2-track road east toward town. (Keeping right as the road forks, you'll reach a defunct railroad grade in 0.8 mile. Join it until another dirt road parallels it on the right. This becomes a gas pipeline utility road, which you'll follow until a gate near the highway. Pass through the gate and join US 60, following its generally ample shoulder (or dirt shoulder beyond) about 1.5 miles into Superior. Another option from the gate at US 60 is to continue into town via the Legends of Superior Trail, a soon-to-be-completed recreation trail (signed with carsonite posts) intended to link the Arizona Trail and Superior. However, while the Legends Trail will avoid part of the final 1.5 miles of pavement walking as described above, the trail is more roundabout and so adds time and distance to the "commute." More details on the full layout of the Legends (or LOST) Trail, slated for completion in the spring of 2011, will be forthcoming in this chapter.

From the 2-track crossing at 15.4 on our route, continue south through a camp-friendly flat, walking beneath another powerline, then crossing the defunct Magma railroad line to reach gravel FR 357 (Hewitt Station Rd) near 15.9 at a small trail parking area. Beyond, walk through a gate - here entering a parcel of not-well-signed private land where you shouldn't camp - and turn sharply right, following beside a fenceline for 0.1 mile. Confront another gate, exiting private land, just before crossing the wide, sandy wash of Queen Creek. Look for a cairn or flagging where the trail continues beyond.

Pleasant trail continues in the direction of Picketpost Mountain, crossing beneath US 60 by way of a pair of culverts in a wash. Arizona Trail tread resumes a short ways beyond, ascending a bit to reach FR 310 at 17.5. Picketpost Windmill, a possible source (inoperable as of 2008), is located about 0.9 mile west via FR 310 and FR 231 (or 0.2 mile via the wash south of the highway culvert). Our trail instead crosses FR 310 to reach Picketpost Trailhead, a large dirt parking lot and RV camping area with vault toilet facilities but no water (17.6, waypoint 03010). (During business hours, water is available at the Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum, located on US 60 about 1.5 miles east of the GET/AZT crossing. US 60 is now a four-lane, high-speed divided highway most of the way toward the Arboretum, but offers a wide shoulder and should still be open to pedestrians in this stretch.)