Exploring Arizona's Superstition Mountains: My Solo Hike On The Picketpost Loop Trail

Join me on an amazing adventure into the heart of Arizona's Superstition Mountains!
Today we'll be hiking the Picketpost Loop trail, an 8.6 mile loop located near Superior, AZ. Get ready for gorgeous views of waterways and washes, some local wildlife, and the always unbeatable desert scenery.
You'll also get to experience some of my rock-hunting escapades, as we attempt to find some obsidian in an area known for its perlite mines.
Come along for a fun-filled day outdoors with me and experience all that the Arizona desert has to offer!
More fun stuff from NaturallyTrailheaded:
naturallytrailheaded.com/
Climbing Picketpost Mountain:
• Solo Hiking Picketpost...
My unfortunate Cholla encounter (short):
• Stabbed by a Cholla Ca...
00:00 Intro and Good Morning!
01:22 Through the gate and onward!
02:18 Palm Trees!
03:15 First dry creek crossings
04:07 First water sighting and landscapes
05:22 Cholla talk
06:30 Through the woods and balancing rock
06:47 More water and some rock stuff
07:49 Off the main trail and a cow
09:33 WTF?
09:41 Miscalculation and some perlite
10:37 Perlite cliff
11:02 Back to the main trail
11:49 Walking up the wash
12:23 Burrs!
12:35 Lunch and some wildlife
13:53 Fall hike in the 'woods'
15:32 Cave?
16:02 Rocks, rocks and more rocks!
18:40 FR4 and the sun is out!
19:44 another rock?
20:06 The Desert and some Plant IDs
21:33 Found the Car and outro
#arizona #solohiking #superstitionmountains #outdoors #desert #hiking #nature #rockhounding #explore #mountains #geology #adventure #cactus

[@robertwilson5575]

I like the scenery with the sound of your footsteps…

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Thank you! I have a couple POV/ Raw Footage videos on my channel that are all that-- no music, no talking, just hiking-- that you might enjoy!

[@HikingAZ]

At 17:10 thats called Desert Rose Quartz. Tons of it but pink in color around the Black Cross Butte to Salt River Overlook area.

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Thanks, still learning what's what in the works of rocks! Funny you mention that area, I was just out there a few weeks ago! Guess we are doing the same stuff lol!

[@marciakipp3633]

I'm a 'rock hound' too! Irresistible...😊

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Irresistible is the perfect word! Every time I go hiking i always find rocks that somehow end up at home with me...🤣

[@marianfrances4959]

Awesome!👍🇨🇦😎

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Thank you!

[@luisasantarosa7927]

Time stamp right at 14 00 after 1407 you passed it at the little cave on you're right, hand side where that tree branch is bent like a square you looked right at it and it was right there in that little. Brushy area you could see the whole an entrance to like a little cave

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Good eye! I'll make sure to investigate further when I head back that way!

[@randallalan4221]

I use to visit that area back around 2001-2003 when I lived in Chandler, AZ. If you drive closer to Superior on US 60 there is a road you can take on the right that will put you in an area where you can find apache tears. I remember an airplane landing strip being nearby you can use as a landmark to put you in the general area. I really miss the great outdoor adventures Arizona offers. Best of luck in your quest for apache tears!

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely have to head back out there!

[@ervinslens]

This whole trail and the surroundings are simply perfect for hiking. Another brilliantly crafted upload my friend!

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Thank you!

[@robertbuick1500]

You're killing it. Keep it up!

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Thanks!

[@luisasantarosa7927]

lol i like haw you negotiate with the rock fine your going with me lmao thats so me 😅😂

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Lol! Glad to hear I'm not the only one! That negotiation happens a lot more than I'd care to admit!

[@MetroCollectablesandvlogs]

Sweet vid, can you metal detect around there? TIA

[@naturallytrailheaded]

I'm sure you can, especially in the open areas nearest the perlite mines. I would imagine there's tons of cool stuff out there! There's a shorter route that you can drive down with a 4wd car that takes you to the mine area, just past the entrance to picketpost mtn, near Superior.

[@berry6243]

I metal detected there. I Spent the whole day digging up nails and shell casings.

[@naturallytrailheaded]

@@berry6243 I can believe that, I saw tons of casings out there-- definitely lots of shooting going on!

[@archiehendricks6093]

Palm where

[@naturallytrailheaded]

Greetings! You can see a single palm tree at 2:17 in the center of the screen, and there are two more, side by side, at 3:10 in the center of the screen. They're not very tall, so you don't get that typical long, bare trunk with a poof of leaves on top, but you can see the circle of distinctive fronds at those timemarks.