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Spectacular views of The Superstitions, Lake Roosevelt and the Sierra Anchas, and you earn every one


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Map Key

19.1

Miles

30.8

KM

Point to Point

5,921' 1,805 m

High

2,216' 675 m

Low

1,818' 554 m

Up

5,232' 1,595 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

38%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Section Of

Description

This is an extremely challenging trail to hike. Only attempt this if you have good route finding skills as the trail is frequently overgrown. Always bring a map and compass.

Assuming you start top to bottom, you'll start from Pigeon Trailhead. Shortly after the trailhead, you'll pass Pigeon Spring on your left. This is the only perennial water source on the trail and the "tanks" date back to the early 1930s. After a short climb up to a small ridge, you'll enter the Four Peaks Wilderness. A quick descent into a greener zone will surround you with large alligator juniper and a closer look will reveal remnants of indigenous peoples having spent a good bit of time here. This area also allows you to imagine what the whole mountainside was like prior to the Lone fire in 1996 and more recent unnamed burn in 2015. The results of the last fire will be self evident shortly and for the next 4 miles.

Once past a few trail junctions and the remains of a camp site, you climb up and out of the burn zone and begin a seemingly endless series of contours dipping into pockets of green grass and sycamore and sweeping out to harsh swaths of manzanita and holly. The views all along are breathtaking and a short break at Bear Saddle will reveal a panorama including the Sierra Anchas to the east, Weaver's Needle and the Superstitions in the south, Lake Roosevelt below and the Four Peaks Mountains looming behind. After contouring until you can contour no more, drop down and past a dried up Granite Spring and take another break at a long, sandy wash.

A few more climbs and descents will get you to Mill's Ridge Trail. Cross the parking lot and cruise down the last few miles, you'll wander by a stand of ancient sycamores and be spit out at Highway 188 and Lake Roosevelt.

You made it, and be sure to stop by Big Daddy's Pizza in Punkin Center for the best deep dish pizza you've ever had!

Flora & Fauna

The Four Peaks Wilderness contains bear, deer, coyote, and the elusive cow... The Sky Island and it's surrounding area are home to an incredibly diverse ecosystem.

Contacts

Shared By:

Robert Bruce

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 2 votes

#12970

Overall
  4.0 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#429

in Arizona

#12,970

Overall
10 Views Last Month
1,595 Since Mar 3, 2016
Very Difficult Very Difficult

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Photos

The Four Peaks segment of the AZT offers great views of Theodore Roosevelt Lake.
Mar 27, 2017 near Tonto B…, AZ

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