AzTrail-Rogers Trough to Picketpost -Coues Country

[AZP&Y]

Spring is always the best time to hike some miles on the Trail. I couldn't get anyone to join so I decided to get dropped off at Roger's Trough and hike south to Picketpost- West of Superior.

 

The first 3 miles were all down hill. Lots of gourgeous views from Montana Mountain ,Elisha Reavis used part of this route in the 1890's to haul fruits and vegetables from his ranch to Superior. I stopped a couple of times to appreciate the views and work involved to make this journey. At about mile 4 Reavis creek starts to flow... I stopped and removed my pack to take some photos of the slate grey rock and review my gps location and check some maps. Facing due east, seated I see something out of the corner of my eye move. I slowly turn my head and 10ft away is a 5+ foot rattler. He continues to pour out of the rock { cairntrail marker-rock pyramid }and starts to get in viper position. We are now staring at eachother at less than 10 feet and the only thing between myself and the snake is my pack. I immediately spring to my feet. He starts to coil and rattle profusely. So, I start to pick up rock,after rock, and barrage the snake. Starting the Hike at 5000 feet my mind is not thinking about snakes, but that has all changed. Ok, Time to get out of there...

 

The next 5 miles are nice views and I put my hiking attitude together and follow the trail which meanders along the creek bottom. The grass is knee high in many places and I become even more warry of every rock cairn, borderline paranoid. Each rock pyramid , I label snake cairns. They mark the trail every couple hundred feet for the next 3 miles ...GRRRRR I find a nice steamside camp and the sound of running water, I dream of snakes.

 

The next day I push 8 more miles. The mornings are crisp and clear and the water continues to pour down the creek bottom and is always flowing. I don't think I've seen Arizona more green and this much water in a long, long time.

 

Instead of pushing the remaining 2.6 miles to the trailhead , I decided to spend 1 more night near the railroad tracks. I can hear the drone of ATV's in the distance. Picketpost can't be far. I arrive the next morning at PIcketpost to be greeted by horseman - Superstition Wilderness Rescue all mounted and ready. I wonder if it's an excercise or is someone really hurt? The Superstitions are still very wild in places... A great place to go solo...

 

I just crossed the 200 mile marker , hiking the trail in pieces - only 600 more to go !

 

http://www.aztrail.org/passages/pass_18.html

 

Montana Mountain looking South.

Coues!

Wildflowers everywhere!

Snake/Reavis Creek!

Looking back towards Montana Mountain

More Wildflowers!

Arnett Canyon

Picketpost

Home

 

AzP&Y

Doug

[bowhuntaz1]

NIce trip, great pics thank you

[COOSEFAN]

No pics of the snake? What the heck! LOL! I've run into 3 snakes in 3 days and the wife just killed a tarantula sized spider in our bedroom a couple minutes ago, my nerves are shot right now and your snake story just got me all jacked up again! Awesome pics and thanks for sharing the trip! JIM>

 

*And yes, the wife had to kill the monster, man-eating spider for me

[CouesWhitetail]

I always love your trail reports Doug! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure!

 

My husband works at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, so we have hiked Picket Post and Arnett canyon and some of the other country back there. Lovely scenery and rugged country.

 

Amanda

[Chef]

Great write up and thanks for taking us along.

I've been so busy with work, I haven't had much time to get out this spring.

[bonecollector]

Nice write up, thanks for taking us along on your journey.

[AZP&Y]

No pics of the snake? What the heck! LOL

 

 

Ha- He "rattled" me and I couldn't get the courage to take his pic @ 10 ft

 

I always love your trail reports Doug! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure!

 

Thank you Amanda and everyone... I enjoy relaying some emotion and pics of the trail after a long hard hike!

 

 

AzP&Y

[COUESAZ]

Nope no coues in that country. You must have found some wakey weed back there and smoked it. Great pictures and all. Also a good write up of your trip.