Picketpost Loop

A storm blew through and brought some pretty heavy rains and snow to higher elevations. Actually, we got about 30 minutes of snow at camp but nothing stuck. The mountains however are another story and they look so cool with their fresh layer of frosting. After a day couped up in the trailer, Derek and I hiked the Picketpost Loop out by Superior, AZ. It was 9.1 miles and very scenic.

Around 1870, General George Stoneman and his troops built a camp at the base of the mountain. Their mission was to seize the land from the Yavapai and he figured this would be a perfect safe spot since the butte would act as a strategic barrier.

We started out on the AZ Trail for the first few miles as we climbed around the south side of the mountain and got our first stunning view of the snowy mountain range. Contrasted with the cacti, it was a really cool view. The rock formations all around this mountain are insane. Limestone and volcanic rock crowd the area and make the scenery interesting.

We made a left after a few miles and started along Telegraph Canyon complete with an actual stream after the storm the day before. The trail in sections was pretty chewed up by horses. This sections was pretty rocky and slow going as we hiked around the canyon. Arnett Canyon was another awesome section for all the old cottonwoods and pools. My neck cramped from continuously looking up at all the crazy towering cliffs!

Winter storms make it tough when we are powered 100% by solar panels. As long as it isn’t cloudy more than a couple days we are fine, but all the same, we get worried sometimes. We have been watching Long Way Up which is a series about two guys riding electric motorcycles from Ushuaia, Argentina through South and Central America to Los Angeles. It’s easy to relate about their anxiety regarding finding charging stations because if they don’t, they are powerless. The sun is our charging station so we like it to “do it’s thing”. Sure, we could add more panels and batteries, but that’s just more to store. So far we’ve been lucky so cross your fingers.