Passage #17 - Alamo Canyon

Location:  Tonto National Forest Boundary to Picketpost Trailhead

Length:  12.2 miles

Southern Trailhead:  Tonto National Forest Boundary
- GPS Coordinates: 33.18052° N, 111.11893° W

Northern Trailhead:  Picketpost Trailhead - FR 231
- GPS Coordinates:  33.27184° N, 111.17643° W

Trail Route Description:  This passage begins at a point west of the White Canyon Wilderness on the Tonto National Forest boundary about 0.6 miles due east of Ajax Peak. From here the trail heads west and north for about 1.5 miles, eventually dropping into a two-track road and drainage. Follow the drainage north for about 100 feet until it turns left (west) via the rocky drainage and follow this rocky two-track for approximately 150 feet. At this point there is new signage installed leading north (uphill) to a saddle. This is all newly constructed trail which will pass through the saddle and lead downhill across a rugged and lush hillside, eventually arriving at FR4. After crossing FR4 the trail continues west and turns north as you work your way toward Picketpost Mountain. The trail will continue north and eventually wraps around to the west side of Picketpost and somewhat paralleling Alamo Canyon drainage until reaching the Picketpost Trailhead.

See the map on the right for an overview of the recommended route (click on it for a larger version).

Difficulty:  Moderate

Season(s):  Fall, Winter and Spring

Water:  There is seasonal water at Trough Springs, about a tenth of a mile north of where the trail crosses FR 4.

Notes/Warnings:

• All water along this passage should be purified prior to use.

Resources:

• USGS Topographic Maps: Teapot Mountain, Mineral Mountain and Picketpost Mountain.
• Tonto National Forest map.
• BLM Information Center maps.

For more information, contact:

• The Passage Steward
• Tonto National Forest, Globe Ranger District, 7680 S. Six Shooter Canyon Road, Globe, AZ 88501   (928) 425-7189.
• Bureau of Land Management, San Pedro Field Office, 1763 Paseo San Luis, Sierra Vista, AZ 85634   (520) 439-6402.
• BLM Information Center  (602) 417-9300.

Current Trail Information:
5/2010 - See the map (upper right) for the most current information.