2014 Map of Picketpost Mountain

About this map

Superior sits at the edge of this complex desert landscape within the Tonto National Forest, where high-relief terrain is cut by deep drainages like Arnett Canyon and Telegraph Canyon. The dominance of the Picketpost Mountain massif provides a stark backdrop for the historic copper mining region's infrastructure, including the Superior Municipal Airport and the modern path of US Hwy 60. The map documents a rugged interior accessible via the Arizona National Scenic Trail, which winds past remote features such as the Hewitt Canyon Natural Arch and Byous Butte. In the southern reaches, the Arboretum and the Queen Creek Bridge mark the transition from the high ridges toward the managed waters of the Whitlow Ranch Flood Control Basin. Numerous tanks and springs, such as Happy Camp Spring and Gonzales Tank, indicate the critical role of water management in this arid environment, supporting both the local town and the surrounding wilderness trail network.