Four Peaks Wilderness Section of the Arizona Trail

I returned in November 2023 for a section hike of the Arizona Trail through the Four Peaks and Mazatzal Wilderness areas. My last trip in December proved to be a good time at the moderate elevation desert assuming no major storms bringing snow to the area. It had the potential to be wet cold and miserable but with a good weather window, it can also be a great escape to play around in the Southwest.

This page is part 1 which includes the zone around the Four Peaks Wilderness. Starting in roosevelt and ending in Sunflower.

Part 2 will be SOBO from Pine and back to Sunflower through the Mazatzal mountain range. LINK

Driving north of highway 87 and you see the first glimpse of the Four Peaks Wilderness

I had coordinated with a local trail angel who generously picked me up from the airport and drove me directly to the town of Roosevelt that same evening with a fuel cannister which I was unable to fly with. Thanks again for supporting my hike SH

Removing my airport luggage tag at the hikers cache box at Roosevelt Lake

The National Forest office has an outdoor water faucet and a cool little museum to check out

Crossing the Roosevelt Lake bridge at the dam on the Salt River. I think the lake was created for a reliable water source to promote expansion and settlement in the area. Fisherman operate in the area and camp/eat at the local marina where I had my last good meal for the next few days. You can also find a nice place to camp by the lake and go swimming on the thru hike.

Starting on the uphill section away from the state highway. This would be quite the exposed section if the weather was clear.

The trail traverses high ridges with significant elevation gains and panoramic views of the Superstition Wilderness, Four Peaks, Roosevelt Lake, and Apache Lake (AZT)

Friendly 4v4 users offered me fresh watermelon and a sandwich.

The water cache at the trailhead was also fully stocked

The terrain looking west

Entering the official wilderness boundary

A storm was brewing overhead so I decided to camp on a saddle away from overhead hazard and let the rain trickle down both sides of me on the slope. It was a pretty aggressive but relatively short storm. Overnight I heard lots of rockfall and debris rolling down the slopes.

Fall colours

Lone Pine Saddle

The trail follows a well maintained singletrack that winds its way across rocky switchbacks, up scenic ridgelines, and through grassy hillsides, lined with desert succulents, shrubs, wildflowers, and a variety of cacti (AZT)

Great water at Pidgeon Spring

Pidgeon trailhead

Two other thru hikers going SOBO. They journal together and it was cool to hear the lady on the left was a well known hiker who recently did the PCT

Murica. Freedom.

Stopping for lunch and to dry gear out along the roadside

Looking back at Roosevelt Lake where I started 2 days ago

Sunset over the mountains

Imagination going wild

Another rain event was overhead now but I was extra motivated to push through for some city tacos

Puddles and pools were filling up and water sources were not a problem. I filled up at Boulder Creek and another private cache near farms. This was a long and easy section and I didn't take much photos but lots of ground was covered