Picketpost Mountain Road to Hewitt Station
Ghost ranch country baking in the Arizona desert.
Hewitt Station Road cuts off US-60 near Superior, Arizona, and pushes south into the Tonto National Forest through a landscape of saguaro, ocotillo, and broken volcanic rock that most I-10 travelers blow past at 80 mph without a second glance. The route skirts the western flanks of the Pinal Mountains, dropping into the Arnett Creek drainage before reaching the ruins of Hewitt Station — an old cattle and mining supply stop that operated through the early twentieth century and now sits quietly in the desert, adobe walls dissolving back into the bajada. Side spurs push toward Ray Mine overlooks and hidden stock tank waterholes that pull in desert mule deer and the occasional javelina herd at dusk.
Difficulty runs Moderate — the main track is passable in a stock high-clearance 4×4 when dry, but the creek crossings and loose volcanic cobble sections want at least a few inches of lift and aired-down tires. After monsoon rains, Arnett Creek crossings can rise fast; check conditions before committing. No permit required; Tonto National Forest manages it. The window is October through April — summer temperatures in this basin regularly push 108°F and there is zero shade. Fuel in Superior; carry two to three gallons of water per person. Dispersed camping along the route is legal with standard Tonto NF rules.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3800 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Superior, AZ |
| Land manager | USFS Tonto National Forest — Globe Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Tonto National Forest official site |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Picketpost Mountain Road to Hewitt Station?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner is the minimum you want here. Lifted rigs will have an easier time on the rocky sections, but a capable stock truck with decent all-terrain tires will get through.
When is this trail passable and what happens if you go in summer?
October through April is the window — the Sonoran desert at this elevation turns brutal in summer with temps regularly cracking 100°F+. Flash flooding is also a real risk in monsoon season (July–September), which can make the water crossings dangerous or impassable.
Do you need a permit to drive or camp here?
No permit required — this is Tonto National Forest land managed by the Globe Ranger District, so dispersed camping is allowed under standard Tonto NF rules (14-day stay limit, 300 feet from water sources). No fee to drive the trail.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The rocky descents off Picketpost Mountain are the crux — loose rock, shelf road exposure, and some embedded boulders that will drag a low-clearance rig. Nothing technically extreme, but it demands attention and you don't want to be rushing it.
Is there any water available on trail, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
The water crossings exist but treat any water you collect — this is desert backcountry, not a maintained water source. Gas up in Superior, AZ before you head out; it's the closest town and there's nothing resembling a fuel stop once you're on trail.
Trail track
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