Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Elevation Gain
1,540.00 ft (469.39 m)
Trail type
Shuttle
Distance
11.70 mi (18.83 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

AZT Passage 17: Alamo Canyon is a 17-mile point-to-point section of the roughly 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail. This moderately rated section runs from  and is located Tonto National Forest Boundary to Picketpost Trailhead. It is accessible for long-distance backpackers, equestrians, and mountain bikers. 

Passage 17 begins at the southern boundary of Tonto National Forest and continues north towards Picketpost Mountain. The trail follows a well-maintained singletrack through a classic Sonoran Desert landscape with towering saguaro, rugged mountains, and rocky canyons. Springtime brings an abundance of wildflowers to this region, and seeing Alamo Canyon in full bloom is breathtaking.

The trail weaves in and out of drainages and traverses across lush hillsides along a gentle downhill grade. Picketpost Mountain dominates the landscape in the northern half of this section, and catching it at sunset is a truly spectacular sight!

DIRECTIONS (Follow Arizona National Scenic Trail Signs/Trail Markers)
Tonto National Forest boundary to Forest Road 4.

Forest Road 4 towards Picketpost Mountain.

The trail continues around the west side of Picketpost Mountain, crosses Alamo Canyon, and ends at the Picketpost Trailhead. 

WATER
**This section does not have reliable water sources, it is very important to do research before heading out on trail.**
Check the Arizona Trail Water Report for current information at: https://aztrail.org/explore/water-sources/.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INFORMATION

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Fall
Winter

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Wildflowers. Solitude. Scenic Canyons.

Cons

Difficult to Access. Lack of Water.

Trailhead Elevation

3,531.00 ft (1,076.25 m)

Highest point

3,752.00 ft (1,143.61 m)

Features

Backcountry camping
Wildlife
Big vistas
Wildflowers

Typically multi-day

No

Suitable for

Biking

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Superstition Mountains Area, Mesa, Arizona
Superstition Mountains Area, Mesa, Arizona

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