Picketpost Mountain - Tonto National Forest

It was 83 degrees when I began my hike at 8:55 AM. It took me 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach the 4,378-foot summit. At the top thousands of gnats swarmed my head so I took a quick photo of the mailbox and headed down, and then took a break directly below the summit. I finished my 4.7 mile round-trip hike at 1:12 PM. It had taken me 4 hours and 16 minutes.

Gnats swarm mountain summits because they are drawn to the highest physical point in the landscape to find mates. Warm air currents carry tiny, weak-flying insects up the mountain slopes and pool them at the top.

Picketpost Mountain - Tonto National Forest

Right before I began my hike a Gila Monster was crossing the parking lot near the trailhead. The venom of a Gila Monster is potent and painful. Gila Monsters produce venom in glands in their lower jaw. This is mixed with the saliva and pulled into the wound along grooved teeth by capillary action. Thus, the longer the lizard hangs on or "chews," the greater the amount of venom introduced.

I began hiking at 9:36 AM, and it took me 1 hour and 54 minutes to reach the 4,378-foot summit. My entire hike took me 3 hours and 58 minutes.

 

Picketpost Mountain - Tonto National Forest

I started my hike up Picketpost Mountain at 9:36 AM, and I made it to the 4,378-foot summit in 1 hour and 31 minutes. That was my best time. I headed down at 11:33 AM, and I was back at my car at 1:06 PM.

Picketpost Mountain - Tonto National Forest

I started this hike at 10:11 AM, and it took me 1 hour and 53 minutes to reach the summit. I headed down at 12:20 PM, and I returned to my car at 1:47 PM. The hike was 4.3 miles round-trip, and it took me 3 hours and 35 minutes.