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8 triplogs
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Feb 07 2026
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 Routes 9
 Photos 58
 Triplogs 8

male
 Joined Jul 16 2025
 Tempe, AZ
Barnhardt Trail #43Payson, AZ
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 07 2026
kphoenixTriplogs 8
Hiking15.64 Miles 2,412 AEG
Hiking15.64 Miles   10 Hrs   53 Mns   1.57 mph
2,412 ft AEG      56 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Did Barnhardt again, this time with snow, and made it all the way to the Mazatzal Divide trail! Trail was a bit icy and slippery on the way up, though the worst of it had melted by the afternoon. Everywhere was soaking wet as the snow melted, anywhere that looked like a drainage had water in it. The trail was a bit of a stream too at times. Since last time I was here, there has been substantial trail maintenance, in several discontinuous sections. Thick manzanita and catclaw has been cut back in many places, yet there were still a few spots where I had to push back the bushes. Waterfalls were all gushing.


water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Hawaiian Mist Heavy flow Heavy flow
 
229591
Feb 01 2026
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 Routes 9
 Photos 58
 Triplogs 8

male
 Joined Jul 16 2025
 Tempe, AZ
Cave Creek / Skunk Tank LoopPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 01 2026
kphoenixTriplogs 8
Hiking9.90 Miles 1,905 AEG
Hiking9.90 Miles
1,905 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Was looking for a good workout hike and this sufficed. First section was easy along a creek, trail is mostly easy to find but could get confusing around crossings. Creek was flowing but easy to cross while staying dry. Towards the end of the creek I ran into some cows that didn't seem too delighted to see me, and then turned to begin the uphill climb. The trail is a bit fainter at this point, some switchbacks you might easily miss the turn and keep going straight if not paying attention. After getting to the high point, there were a handful of ups and downs. The hike was getting long and exhausting at this point, but the views were descent. Probably wouldn't pick this one again in its entirety, but the Cave Creek section could be a fun out and back for a more relaxing hike.
 
229180
Jan 23 2026
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 Routes 9
 Photos 58
 Triplogs 8

male
 Joined Jul 16 2025
 Tempe, AZ
Picketpost CircumferenceGlobe, AZ
Globe, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 23 2026
kphoenixTriplogs 8
Hiking9.60 Miles 1,000 AEG
Hiking9.60 Miles
1,000 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I drove past Picketpost Mountain on the way to Roosevelt Lake last weekend. Today, I figured I would come and do the easier-but-longer circumference loop. The AZT part was very well marked and maintained. All uphill, but very gently. Lots of campsites for 1-2 tents dotted along the trail. The high point is around the junction with FR4, and there are lots of places to relax or camp. Turning off onto FR4, it is a road for the most part but cuts in and out of a wash that makes it difficult to follow. It doesn't really matter though, since you can just keep going down the wash and find the "road" later. Once getting to the Telegraph canyon trail, several sections were not really followable. Other sections had what seemed like two or more parallel trails a few meters apart. Flash flooding here caused a lot of damage, uprooted trees and other vegetation. It seems they (who I wonder?) are working to reroute the trail higher up out of the creek, marked with various colors of tape on trees. In several areas though, the new trail doesn't have much of a tread, so you're walking on the side of a hill covered in loose sand and gravel. Until more work is done, I would recommend being careful about following the "new" alignment. Once reaching the LOST trail, the trail is well maintained but there are a few wash crossings that can be tricky to spot. It opens up into a meadow, and soon I was heading up over a hill towards the trailhead. There was no water in Arboretum Tank, but I noticed that the small dam was unusually straight and didn't seem to match the rest of the terrain. Saw a light rain today and it honestly made the trip more enjoyable.

dry Arboretum Tank Dry Dry

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Arnett Creek Pools to trickle Pools to trickle

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Telegraph Canyon Pools to trickle Pools to trickle
  2 archives
228915
Jan 11 2026
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 Routes 9
 Photos 58
 Triplogs 8

male
 Joined Jul 16 2025
 Tempe, AZ
Gold Ridge Trail #47Payson, AZ
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 11 2026
kphoenixTriplogs 8
Hiking5.50 Miles 2,820 AEG
Hiking5.50 Miles
2,820 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Returned to the deer creek TH to try one of the other trails in hopes of getting some good views early on. The trail hit the mark! I only hiked about two miles in before I hit what seemed like a 45 degree grade and decided that was a good enough point to turn around. It was very beautiful seeing the snow capped rim in the distance, in contrast to a few weeks ago. Hope to come back to the area soon.
  2 archives
228679
Jan 03 2026
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 Routes 9
 Photos 58
 Triplogs 8

male
 Joined Jul 16 2025
 Tempe, AZ
Deer Creek Trail #45Payson, AZ
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 03 2026
kphoenixTriplogs 8
Hiking8.60 Miles 2,586 AEG
Hiking8.60 Miles
2,586 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Planned to do Barnhardt again, but the road was too muddy for my chevy volt to make it. In retrospect, I did make it ~3.5 miles in, and could have easily just found a spot to pull off and hike the last two miles or so, but that didn't occur to me at the time, for whatever reason.

The road in to the deer creek TH is really just the turn off, definitely a safer bet for someone with my type of vehicle. Road noise was intermittent but eventually started to fade. Since I didn't have solid plans, only hiked a few miles before turning around, but I have every intent of coming back to the area. Creek was flowing lightly and the trail was generally easy to follow. Was greeted by several cows in the first mile.
 
228678
Dec 30 2025
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 Routes 9
 Photos 58
 Triplogs 8

male
 Joined Jul 16 2025
 Tempe, AZ
Butcher Jones Trail #463Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 30 2025
kphoenixTriplogs 8
Hiking5.40 Miles 600 AEG
Hiking5.40 Miles
600 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Decided to do Butcher Jones again first thing in the morning! Was the first car there around 6 am, when I finished close to 9 am there were probably 50 cars and a bus parked in the lot. First half was very quiet, interrupted only by a few motor boats, planes, and luckily a few deer towards the end! Given the amount of foot traffic on the way back, I suspect I may have been the only hiker to see those deer this morning. The trip back involved lots of waiting and passing large families and groups, but that's to be expected on a fairly accessible trail so close to Phoenix. Wind was quite strong which made for pretty waves on the lake.
 
228440
Nov 29 2025
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 Routes 9
 Photos 58
 Triplogs 8

male
 Joined Jul 16 2025
 Tempe, AZ
Barnhardt Trail #43Payson, AZ
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 29 2025
kphoenixTriplogs 8
Hiking7.60 Miles 1,730 AEG
Hiking7.60 Miles   6 Hrs   42 Mns   1.13 mph
1,730 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Decided to do Barnhardt again after the recent rain to see the canyon in its full glory, with the goal of finding the campsite past the waterfall that I didn’t quite make it to last time. Road in was bumpy but fine in my Chevy volt. Trail was muddy in a few spots and cool and damp throughout, despite several days since the last rain. All the seeps had water running over the trail to some degree. Made it to the Sandy Saddle junction, peaked a bit down both trails a bit and then turned around.
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Light
 
227760
Nov 15 2025
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 Routes 9
 Photos 58
 Triplogs 8

male
 Joined Jul 16 2025
 Tempe, AZ
Barnhardt Trail #43Payson, AZ
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 15 2025
kphoenixTriplogs 8
Hiking5.90 Miles 2,055 AEG
Hiking5.90 Miles
2,055 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
First hike in the Mazatzal Wilderness, hoped to make it to one of the campsites past the waterfall and spend the night, in defiance of the light rain in the forecast. Made it a bit past the waterfall before the rain started coming on and off, and decided to head back. As others have said, this trail is all uphill, but it is steady, and it is incredibly beautiful the other way, every switchback the view gets more awesome all the way up. Met Jacob along the way and exchanged good stories, was good to hear from someone who has spent a lot of time out there. Looking forward to going back on a clearer weekend.
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Light
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Big Kahuna Falls - Mazatzal Wilderness Light flow Light flow
Can hear the waterfall running but no flow over the trail. Pretty sure you could get some water with a bit of effort
  2 archives
227491
average hiking speed 1.35 mph

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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