Wood Canyon - Upper Rim • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Jan 14 2023

hikerdw

Routes 268
Photos 2,969
Triplogs 541

male

Joined Aug 16 2009
Mesa,AZ

Picketpost TH to Upper Wood Canyon, AZ

Hiking		Jan 14 2023
		hikerdw • Triplogs 541

Hiking	13.76 Miles	1,580 AEG

Hiking	13.76 Miles	5 Hrs 44 Mns	2.82 mph
	1,580 ft AEG	51 Mns Break

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Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Decided to check out Upper Wood Canyon hiking in from Picketpost. Marked trails were in excellent condition and even the unmarked trail, Wood Canyon Rim Trail, were in decent shape, although a little muddy from the recent rains. The small portion of off trail was made easier by the use of cattle trails so all in all great hiking conditions for this out and back.

Rock Tank was fairly full and Wood Canyon had a lite flow. Enjoyed lunch to the sounds of running water and someone exercising their 2nd Amendment right with gunfire close by. Ran across a full deer carcass near Rock Tank on the return which was a nice find.

Lots of solitude and a great hike on a beautiful day.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Rock Tank

Rock Tank

51-75% full

Wood Canyon

Light flow

_____________________

Expect to self rescue

Dec 28 2016

hikerdw

Routes 268
Photos 2,969
Triplogs 541

male

Joined Aug 16 2009
Mesa,AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Dec 28 2016
		hikerdw • Triplogs 541

Hiking	9.03 Miles	1,639 AEG

Hiking	9.03 Miles	5 Hrs 44 Mns	1.80 mph
	1,639 ft AEG	43 Mns Break

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Wood Canyon has been on the list to check out so we started with the Upper Rim hike. We parked in a pull out about a 3rd of a mile from the official TH parking which worked out great. There is a worn trail tread at the start which allowed for a quick start. The off trail was for the most part brush free but did have a lot of rocky sections. Great views throughout the hike but especially at our lunch spot. Now the warning, the decent. As posted by ssk44.

"The only segment that's a little sketchy is the descent from the outer point overlooking Wood Canyon. It is very steep and loose, requiring you to really slow down and pay close attention to your footing."

I thought I was ready for it but when I looked over the rim at the route down my first thought was no way. After looking at different angles and discussing strategy we proceeded down, slowly. The soft dirt from the recent rains definitely helped out as we were able to dig our heels in. Once down off the rim it was a short hike to an unnamed spring, then a nice stroll on a jeep trail that followed along the flowing creek bed.

Great hike, saw no others hiking, and only passed one vehicle on the road as we were headed out.

Wood Canyon

Light flow

_____________________

Expect to self rescue

Feb 05 2014

kingsnake

Guides 117
Routes 340
Photos 11,445
Triplogs 897

male

Joined Dec 20 2010
Sunnyslope, PHX

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Feb 05 2014
		kingsnake • Triplogs 897

Hiking	7.14 Miles	1,649 AEG

Hiking	7.14 Miles	3 Hrs 32 Mns	2.02 mph
	1,649 ft AEG

no routes

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After breakfast at Buckboard City Cafe, took an alternate drive to the trailhead: south on FR 230, rather than AZ 177, almost to the ranch, then down Wood Canyon's rocky jeep trail to the trailhead. 230 was not bad, but parts should be avoided by cars. The jeep trail should only be SUV+, but even then high clearance is recommended. (I had to manually move a few rocks so I could get through.) There's a neat rock formation / pile of rocks about 100 yards southwest of the trailhead, that look fun to explore. :-k

I got started about 8:35 a.m. Cut across the wash to pick up the trail above the day-glo green rocks. I headed west to the saddle above Filaria Spring; note the the trail appears to continue over the saddle, toward the spring and a very full looking Rock Tank. I turned south, up, then along, Hill 3419. You'd make better time following the next contour down from the crest, rather then traversing the rocky crest itself.

There's a boat load of prickly pear and ocotillo on this hike, so many that the ocotillo actually form little forests.

The route then crosses a second saddle, towards the east slope of Hill 3773. The sun made a brief, 10 minute, appearance about this time. :y:

By the time I reached the saddle south of Hill 3773, where the route bends south towards Hill 4110, it was cold, and even breezier, and I could see rain coming in from to the northwest, near Mesa. :roll:

Rather than risking a rain-slippery descent on the steep scree slope south of Hill 3925, I decided to retreat. But before I did so, I headed up Hill 3773. Nice view; would be even better with proper lighting.

I noticed that the slope on the south side of the wash east of Hill 3773 appeared to be pretty smooth, holding the potential for quick travel, so after dropping off 3773, that is the way I went. Indeed it was quick. I stuck to the south slope, rather than getting in the wash, as there were some obvious dry falls in the wash. After 3/4s of a mile, I cliffed out. I looked around to see if there was a way down, but everywhere I looked it was a sheer 100+ feet. :stop:

I backed around a small knob behind the cliff, spotting a very easy wash crossing below the previously mentioned dry fall. Crossed that, ate a quick snack on Hill 3419, then headed back along the trail towards the trailhead.

I almost passed the trailhead as the foot trail continues northeast, up Wood Canyon, towards the ranch.

By the time we passed back through Superior, about 2:30, it was too late for lunch, and too early for dinner, so we skipped Los Hermanos (which was packed anyway), heading on home ...

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Hike Video: youtu.be/XTT8rLiTv5c

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Fairy Duster Ocotillo

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bighorn Sheep

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cag Shot HAZ - Selfie HAZ Food Horseshoe Humor

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Picketpost Mountain Rock Tank Superior Telegraph Canyon Weavers Needle

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

	Rock Tank	76-100% full	76-100% full
	I was about 700 feet above the tank, and a mile or so away. Not sure on level, but even from that distance it looked near full.

_____________________

http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored.

1 archive

Dec 31 2013

Craigbhikin

Photos 356
Triplogs 44

male

Joined Apr 11 2011
Mesa, AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Dec 31 2013
		Craigbhikin • Triplogs 44

Hiking	8.25 Miles	1,900 AEG

Hiking	8.25 Miles	7 Hrs 30 Mns	1.10 mph
	1,900 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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This a rugged off trail hike, with bush whacking and steep slopes climbing down parts of the trail. This trail does not get a lot of hikers, although we did spot several mining claims along the way. Long pants recommended on this hike.

This a 8.3 plus off trail hike with great views of Picketpost, Weavers Needle, Four Peaks, Apache Leap, Pinal Peak and on a clear day Mount Lemmon.

Third time was a charm. My first attempt was with a hiking buddy, we camped out Saturday and enjoyed some craft beer from a micro brewery in Gilbert. Unsure is listing the name would be OK or not, so I will not. Well that night my trail name was Danced with Beer. OK I did not do any dancing, but I stepped in a hole and twisted my knee. My second attempt was Christmas Eve morning, and miss reading the triplog on my GPS "Struggles With Technology" aka Danced with Beer made a wrong turn. At this point some people may say what is this guy doing hiking, but we all have a bad day days.

Saturday eight friends, and I set out for the hike, and we had a good time. As for the distance three different GPS had between 7.6 to 9 plus miles. This is mostly off trail, and not recommended to do alone, (see above)or for beginner hikers. The route here in Hike AZ is a good route, but the last section down to the road is a bit steep, and one must be careful in picking what path you take. Along the trail the rock formations were more then I could count, and the assorted quarts and other rocks along the way were also too many to count. The trail does not get a lot of hikers, although we did spot several mining claims along the way. We did not see much in the way of wildlife, two mule deer, and three cows a raven along with an assorted array of other smaller birds. We also spotted several small caves. On one trip two women we talked with on horses saw two coatimundi. If you like a good challenge along with off trail hiking in close but remote areas it is a must do.

_____________________

Craigbehikin

Dec 14 2010

sventre

Guides 14
Routes 71
Photos 474
Triplogs 71

male

Joined Nov 24 2006
Mesa, AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Dec 14 2010
		sventre • Triplogs 71

Hiking	8.25 Miles	1,900 AEG

Hiking	8.25 Miles
	1,900 ft AEG

no routes

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Began early this morning with the words of both Eric and Hank regarding this area echoing in my head. "Why hike any particular route?". So I just explored. First, I highly recommend cutting the driving distance along Hank's GPS route by a little bit. There is enough space for parking 2 vehicles at a gate/cattle guard approximately .75 miles shy of the end of Hank's drive. That extra hiking along a relatively smooth jeep trail provides views of some really interesting rock formations and boulders, the creek and canyon walls. Upon arriving at the first milepost on the posted route (thanks Hank) I noted what appeared to be a cave to the southwest and about 3/4 of the way up Peak 3425 [GPS coordinate turned out to be 33.23321N, 111.12212W) and made that the first target for today. The grade up the 450 elevation gain became more pronounced as we neared the entrance to the cave, but with only a few necessary "lift me over these cacti" calls from my Westie hiking companion, we made it without incident. The cave turned out to be about 30 feet deep and appeared to have at one time been "prospected"-- but for what I do not know. On the way up, I noted passing through a field of ocotillo, oddly out of place, and assumed that this meant the location of quartz in the immediate area. The only early inhabitants I could identify with the cave were the remnants of a honeycomb nest of "Anasazi" bees/wasps pre-dating my arrival. Having satisfied ourselves that there was nothing remarkable about the cave, we clung to the loose rocks and slippery grasses across the face of the peak and made our way toward the saddle to the west. Great views in all directions as we crossed the ridges and began a treacherous descent back toward Filaria Spring. The previously posted photos for this area give a good representation of the views, so I will post only some mediocre images of the cave experience. This entire area is certainly worthy of further exploration; but, I will wait until my foot has fully recovered.

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Apr 22 2010

rehlers

Routes 5
Photos 58
Triplogs 46

male

Joined Apr 18 2002
Phoenix, AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Apr 22 2010
		rehlers • Triplogs 46

Hiking	8.25 Miles	1,900 AEG

Hiking	8.25 Miles	4 Mns	123.75 mph
	1,900 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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Thanks for posting this fun off trail hike. We mostly followed the supplied GPS route, although cut off a bit at the start and on the final descent from the ridge. Coming down was quite treacherous, steep and lots of loose rocks. Not for the faint of heart. Walking back the final portion along the road is a great relief after the miles of off trail.

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Mar 19 2010

AZLOT69

Guides 177
Routes 249
Photos 10,393
Triplogs 2,234

74 male

Joined Feb 12 2002
Gold Canyon, AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Mar 19 2010
		AZLOT69 • Triplogs 2,234

Hiking	12.20 Miles	2,460 AEG

Hiking	12.20 Miles	6 Hrs	2.03 mph
	2,460 ft AEG

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This hike doesn't look like much from the start but the canyons in here are awesome. A nicely kept secret. Saw no one else all day. Nice outing.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Canaigre Indian Paintbrush

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Natural Arch

Wildflowers Observation Light

_____________________

It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain

Apr 18 2009

ssk44

Guides 20
Routes 12
Photos 2,343
Triplogs 298

51 male

Joined Mar 31 2008
Gilbert, AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Apr 18 2009
		ssk44 • Triplogs 298

Hiking	8.25 Miles	1,900 AEG

Hiking	8.25 Miles	6 Hrs	1.38 mph
	1,900 ft AEG

no routes

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Grasshopper

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim
04/18/2009

Wood Canyon- Upper Rim as posted is completed as a full loop hike. The hike initially involves a fair amount of up-and-down hikeing, however later flattens out towards the mid point near an upper basin. The only segment that's a little sketchy is the descent from the outer point overlooking Wood Canyon. It is very steep and loose, requiring you to really slow down and pay close attention to your footing. For an off-trail route, the entire hike was very pleasant and manageable with only minimal bushwhacking. One important note is that the entire upper rim that the route follows is very exposed with zero shade. The final segment of the hike follow an existing jeep trail along Wood Canyon.

This is a really cool hike. I have been threatening to do this trip for two years now. The geology and views are just killer. At a high point near the beginning of the upper rim you can see four prominent destinations including Flatiron, Byous Butte, Picketpost Mountain, and Browns Peak. Near the southern end of the range, you can see most all of the prominent rock formation that make up Walnut Canyon, White Canyon, and The Rincon. The views are truly 360 degrees and distance is really only limited by the overall visibility and air quality. As with most remote off-trail routes, solitude is guaranteed. This is a very special destination. The hike as posted is a great introduction to what this area has to offer. You'll likely be coming back for years to explore it's hidden treasures. Enjoy!

:GB:

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Mariposa Lily Sotol

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Hoodoo Rock Natural Arch

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Pioneer Industry

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

_____________________

MATTHEW 11:28-30 / PSALM 84:1-2

2 archives

Apr 18 2009

Grasshopper

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

80 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Wood Canyon - Upper Rim

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Apr 18 2009
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

Hiking	7.50 Miles	2,251 AEG

Hiking	7.50 Miles	8 Hrs 20 Mns	0.90 mph
	2,251 ft AEG

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ssk44

This was my first completely "off trail-route finding" loop hike in Arizona that in my humble opinion rates a strong HAZ "5"..IT DOES ROCK!!

If you enjoy off trail, remote hiking with manageable bushwhacking, sweeping near and distant 360 degree views(hiking elevations of 2800' to 4070'), interesting rock formations, old ranching history, and you are experienced with reading topo maps, and/or GPS route finding with assigned waypoints or you can follow our loaded HAZ GPS Hiking Route, then you will safely enjoy this one! Located south of Superior and north of the White Canyon Wilderness, this Wood Canyon area is close enough to our Phoenix and Tucson area to make it a great choice for a late fall to mid spring hiking trip.

I normally take less than 100 pics on a much longer mileage day outing than this one. Due to the scenic value of this hike, I returned with 128 pics. After editing out, I ended up with 59 for my personal file and posted 38 of 59 on HAZ which I felt were needed to adequately show the enjoyment story of this loop hike. Please see my pic set and detailed pic captions which try to "walk-you-through" our day in this most enjoyable area.

My personal T-hank-S to Eric for doing a great pre-planning job and for leading this fun, challenging, and rewarding hike in an area that few ever experience.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Apache Hedgehog Desert Mariposa Feather Dalea Ocotillo

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Hoodoo Rock Natural Arch

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Ghost?

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Rock Tank Wood Canyon

Filaria Spring

Quart per minute

_____________________

(Outside.. "there is No Place Like It!!")

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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