Alamo Canyon, AZT Passage 17
From the Picket Post trailhead off the US 60 just west of Superior, lies a less traveled passage of the Arizona Trail. A couple of weeks ago passing through Superior, I stopped with my family to hike around for an hour or so… I was enthralled with the beauty of the trail.
First turned on to this little gem by Dale and this post on the MTBR forum, I knew I would get out and ride it someday. That day was last weekend when I returned with the bike and a few friends to explore further, taking the singletrack deep into the desert…well as deep as time would permit…
The entire out-n-back segment is roughly 11 miles. My friends and I only covered 5 of those before our time was up. But let me tell you, those 5 miles of trail are some of the best in the state. Singlespeed and rigid friendly, this trail will keep you smiling non-stop. It gradually climbs as it heads southeast skirting Picket Post mountain, before it drops due south and takes you as far as the wilderness boundary.
I’ll be back to go the distance, this trail is too good to go unridden.
More videos of the trail at Vholdr.com
Arizona Trail Passage 17 info page | Alamo Canyon AZT Trail Map
AZT Alamo Canyon at EveryTrail
Map created by EveryTrail: Geotagging Community
As I gaze out my window at the goroilus views of the Colorado National Monument (Grand Junction,CO), I can only be thankful for all the rules the NPS so stridently enforce in our little neck of the woods. I live within .25 miles of the park and without a defined set of rules, we would loose what we hold so dearly. So what if I can’t walk my dog in the Monument? Who cares if I need to ride my bike on BLM land or in the National Forest? The characteristics that make these places unique must be protected. This is my home. Please respect that. We have many other opportunities available for our outdoor activities. Just leave the National Parks alone.
Went out last Sunday with a friend to ride this trail…wow! The scenery is beautiful, the flow of the singletrack is awesome and the desert views are unmatched. We didn’t see any other riders hikers or horses. This has instantly become one of my favorites.
Mike, thanks for the info and review of this trail. Without it, I may never have known about this ride.
i see it is close to the arboretum. If it’s anything like that, it is beautiful. Maybe that will sell my wife on it.