{"id":10439,"date":"2026-02-15T22:59:57","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T14:59:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=10439"},"modified":"2026-05-11T01:07:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T17:07:10","slug":"20260215picketpost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215picketpost\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 2 of 2026 President&#8217;s Day Trip to Phoenix, Mount Picketpost"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The second day of my 2026 President&#8217;s Day weekend trip to Phoenix. I hiked Mount Picketpost, a short but intensive hike to the southeast of the city.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8537.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8537.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Picketpost Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide.min.2.4.21.js\"><\/script>\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide-skyblue.min.css\">\n<script>\ndocument.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function () {\n\tvar secondarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-1', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:68,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-major-1', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider1.sync( secondarySlider1 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider2 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-2', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:100,gap:9,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:50,height:50,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider2 = new Splide( '#splide-major-2', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider2.sync( secondarySlider2 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider3 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-3', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:80,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:55,height:44,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider3 = new Splide( '#splide-major-3', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider3.sync( secondarySlider3 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider4 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-4', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:80,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:55,height:44,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider4 = new Splide( '#splide-major-4', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider4.sync( secondarySlider4 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider5 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-5', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider5 = new Splide( '#splide-major-5', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider5.sync( secondarySlider5 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider6 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-6', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider6 = new Splide( '#splide-major-6', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider6.sync( secondarySlider6 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider7 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-7', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider7 = new Splide( '#splide-major-7', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider7.sync( secondarySlider7 ).mount();\n} );\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>After the long trek to Battleship Mountain the previous day, I decided on a shorter route to give my body some time to recover. Picketpost Mountain fitted the bill perfectly. Like Battleship Mountain, it featured steep cliffs on seemingly all sides, and required some scrambling to reach its top \u2014 yet where Battleship was elongated and angular, Picketpost was more rounded, giving it the character of a citadel.<\/p>\n<p>To allow myself ample rest after yesterday&#8217;s exertions, I woke up late and didn&#8217;t leave my Phoenix Airbnb until 10am. A breakfast stop along the way, combined with traffic on US 60, meant it was nearly noon by the time I reached the trailhead. The final 1.2 miles (1.9km) of road leading to it was unpaved, though in decent condition.<\/p>\n<p>After some warmup, I started my hike at 12:10pm. Here&#8217;s GPS tracking:<\/p>\n<div class=\"mobile-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:6\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=263698272&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"desktop-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/embedv2.do?id=263698272&#038;measures=on&#038;elevation=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>From the trailhead, the path followed the Arizona Trail for roughly 900 meters (0.55 miles) before branching left toward the mountain. Rising above the surrounding gentle, rolling hills, Picketpost Mountain was the undisputed landmark of the area \u2014 visible at every turn throughout the hike, like a castle standing sentinel over the landscape.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8529.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8529.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Picketpost Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Taken during my ascent, around noon, with a softer tone under a cloudy sky.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8533.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8533.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Picketpost Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Taken during my ascent, around noon, with a softer tone under a cloudy sky.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8584.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8584.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Picketpost Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Taken later that afternoon, during my descent, where there\u2019s more contrast between light and shade.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8590.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8590.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Picketpost Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Taken later that afternoon, during my descent, where there\u2019s more contrast between light and shade.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8536.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8536.jpg\" alt=\"Saguaros along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Saguaros along Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_123924.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/20260215_123924.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"Clusters of Flowers before Rolling Hills\" \/><\/a><\/br>Clusters of Flowers before Rolling Hills<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8583.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8583.jpg\" alt=\"Saguaros along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Saguaros along Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_123352C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260215_123352C.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flowers along Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8529.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8533.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8584.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8590.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8536.jpg\" alt=\"Saguaros along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20260215_123924.jpg\" alt=\"Clusters of Flowers before Rolling Hills\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8583.jpg\" alt=\"Saguaros along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260215_123352C.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-1, #splide-thumb-1 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8529.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8529.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Picketpost Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Taken during my ascent, around noon, with a softer tone under a cloudy sky.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8533.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8533.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Picketpost Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Taken during my ascent, around noon, with a softer tone under a cloudy sky.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8584.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8584.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Picketpost Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Taken later that afternoon, during my descent, where there\u2019s more contrast between light and shade.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8590.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8590.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Picketpost Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Taken later that afternoon, during my descent, where there\u2019s more contrast between light and shade.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8536.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8536.jpg\" alt=\"Saguaros along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Saguaros along Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_123924.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/20260215_123924.jpg\" alt=\"Clusters of Flowers before Rolling Hills\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Clusters of Flowers before Rolling Hills<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8583.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8583.jpg\" alt=\"Saguaros along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Saguaros along Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_123352C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260215_123352C.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flowers along Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After leaving the Arizona Trail, the path to Picketpost Mountain quickly picked up the pace of elevation gain. Vegetation grew sparser, exposed rock became more prevalent, and before long the scrambling sections began.<\/p>\n<p>Near the start of this scrambling stretch, I felt the trail wasn&#8217;t very well defined, with several social paths running in parallel. In my opinion, the differences were negligible, as all of them converged on the same scrambling section, which I would rate as YDS Class 2 (p2\u20133 below).<br \/>\nBeyond that, the trail reached the base of a cliff and turned right toward a gully nestled between rock walls. This section was at times narrow and off-camber, with occasional scrambling required. One particular move stood out as entry-level YDS Class 3, though it was nowhere near as technical as anything I had encountered on Battleship Mountain the day before. For the most part, navigation here was straightforward \u2014 though during my descent, I did stop to help a fellow hiker who seemed uncertain of where the trail continued.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_124540.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/20260215_124540.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Trail to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Picketpost Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_162832.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/20260215_162832.jpg\" width=\"80.6%\" alt=\"Trail to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Picketpost Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Start of the scrambling section.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_161952.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/20260215_161952.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Overlooking Trails Below\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Trails Below<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_130833.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20260215_130833.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Narrow and Steep Path\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_161318.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/IMG_20260215_161318.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Narrow Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Narrow Path<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_131057.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20260215_131057.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Narrow and Steep Path\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_161141.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/IMG_20260215_161141.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Narrow and Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Narrow and Steep Path<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_161026.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20260215_161026.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Crux of Path\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_160905.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/IMG_20260215_160905.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Overlooking Crux of Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Crux of Path<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20260215_124540.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20260215_162832.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20260215_161952.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Trails Below\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20260215_130833.jpg\" alt=\"Narrow and Steep Path\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20260215_131057.jpg\" alt=\"Narrow and Steep Path\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20260215_161026.jpg\" alt=\"Crux of Path\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-2, #splide-thumb-2 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_124540.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/20260215_124540.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to Picketpost Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_162832.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/20260215_162832.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to Picketpost Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Start of the scrambling section.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_161952.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/20260215_161952.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Trails Below\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overlooking Trails Below<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_130833.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20260215_130833.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Narrow and Steep Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_161318.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/IMG_20260215_161318.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Narrow Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Narrow Path<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_131057.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20260215_131057.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Narrow and Steep Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_161141.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/IMG_20260215_161141.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Narrow and Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Narrow and Steep Path<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_161026.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20260215_161026.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Crux of Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_160905.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/IMG_20260215_160905.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Overlooking Crux of Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Crux of Path<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>I recorded the following video of portions of my climb to Picketpost Mountain with a helmet-mounted action camera. Though compared to the Battleship Mountain the previous day, it wasn&#8217;t as thrilling:<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dcwPZCsAp-Q\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Near the top of the gully, where the cliffs began to close in, there was one short section where the path found itself on a steep stretch of open rock (p3 below). This section could prove challenging in wet conditions; however, the rock was pleasantly textured when dry, affording excellent traction and presenting no difficulty for me.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_160534.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260215_160534.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_160239.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/20260215_160239.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path down Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Steep Path down Picketpost Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_155946.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260215_155946.jpg\" width=\"56.2%\" alt=\"Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_155808.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/20260215_155808.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260215_160534.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20260215_160239.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path down Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260215_155946.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20260215_155808.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-3, #splide-thumb-3 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_160534.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260215_160534.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_160239.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/20260215_160239.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Steep Path down Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overlooking Steep Path down Picketpost Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_155946.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260215_155946.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_155808.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/20260215_155808.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path to Picketpost Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Beyond the gully, the trail found its way through a field of low, scrubby brush. At various points it appeared to fork into several branches, though these invariably rejoined one another further along. The terrain here was steep in places, yet altogether more straightforward than the gully that had preceded it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_155213.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260215_155213.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Trail to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Picketpost Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_154832.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/IMG_20260215_154832.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Steep Trail to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_154039.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/IMG_20260215_154039.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Steep Trail to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Trail to Picketpost Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_154318.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260215_154318.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Trail from Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail from Picketpost Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_152509.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260215_152509.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Trail on Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail on Picketpost Mountain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260215_155213.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260215_154832.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Trail to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260215_154318.jpg\" alt=\"Trail from Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260215_152509.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-4, #splide-thumb-4 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_155213.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260215_155213.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to Picketpost Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_154832.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/IMG_20260215_154832.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Steep Trail to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_154039.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/IMG_20260215_154039.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Steep Trail to Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Trail to Picketpost Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_154318.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260215_154318.jpg\" alt=\"Trail from Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail from Picketpost Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/IMG_20260215_152509.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260215_152509.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail on Picketpost Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>The day felt very hot, so I eased my pace somewhat to stay comfortable (it also helped me conserve water). Even so, given the trail to Picketpost Mountain was relatively short, it took me only an hour and forty minutes to reach the summit from the trailhead.<\/p>\n<p>Broad and open, the summit of Picketpost Mountain carried more of a mesa-like quality than a traditional peak. Like a citadel, it dwarfed the rolling hills in its vicinity, so that most of the views stretched across a distant, receding landscape \u2014 among them the prominent spire of Weaver&#8217;s Needle, to the north in Superstition Wilderness.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8542C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8542C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8544.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8544.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8573.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8573.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rolling Hills to the North<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8572.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8572.jpg\" alt=\"Kings Crown Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Kings Crown Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8552.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8552.jpg\" alt=\"Town of Superior\" \/><\/a><\/br>Town of Superior<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8574.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8574.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"US Route 60 through Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>US Route 60 through Mountains<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Towards the direction of Phoenix.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8577C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8577C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8542C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8544.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8573.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills to the North\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8572.jpg\" alt=\"Kings Crown Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8552.jpg\" alt=\"Town of Superior\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8574.jpg\" alt=\"US Route 60 through Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8577C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-5, #splide-thumb-5 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from the summit of Picketpost Mountain.<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8542C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8542C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8544.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8544.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8573.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8573.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills to the North\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Rolling Hills to the North<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8572.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8572.jpg\" alt=\"Kings Crown Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Kings Crown Peak<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8552.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8552.jpg\" alt=\"Town of Superior\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Town of Superior<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8574.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8574.jpg\" alt=\"US Route 60 through Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>US Route 60 through Mountains<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Towards the direction of Phoenix.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8577C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8577C.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Since the true high point of Picketpost Mountain was on the southern edge of its summit field, the most commanding views were naturally oriented in that direction, where Telegraph Canyon carved its way through a canvas of gently rolling hills. I had expected the arid environment to render the landscape in shades of brown, yet the vistas were surprisingly lush \u2014 filled with far more greenery than anticipated, and seemingly still brimming with life. Exposed bedrock occasionally thrust through the surface, lending a raw, austere quality that offered a striking counterpoint to the vitality surrounding it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8554.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8554.jpg\" alt=\"Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Telegraph Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8545.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8545.jpg\" alt=\"Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Telegraph Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8570.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8570.jpg\" alt=\"Mesas around Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mesas around Telegraph Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8548.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8548.jpg\" alt=\"Hills around Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills around Telegraph Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_151346.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20260215_151346.jpg\" width=\"47.3%\" alt=\"Mailbox on Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_151357.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20260215_151357.jpg\" width=\"47.3%\" alt=\"Mailbox on Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mailbox on Picketpost Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">One that holds the summit register.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_144906C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/20260215_144906C.jpg\" width=\"67%\" alt=\"Summit Marker of Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Summit Marker of Picketpost Mountain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8554.jpg\" alt=\"Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8545.jpg\" alt=\"Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8570.jpg\" alt=\"Mesas around Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8548.jpg\" alt=\"Hills around Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20260215_151346.jpg\" alt=\"Mailbox on Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20260215_144906C.jpg\" alt=\"Summit Marker of Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-6, #splide-thumb-6 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from the summit of Picketpost Mountain.<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8554.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8554.jpg\" alt=\"Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Telegraph Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8545.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8545.jpg\" alt=\"Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Telegraph Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8570.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8570.jpg\" alt=\"Mesas around Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mesas around Telegraph Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8548.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8548.jpg\" alt=\"Hills around Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills around Telegraph Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_151346.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20260215_151346.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Mailbox on Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_151357.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20260215_151357.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Mailbox on Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mailbox on Picketpost Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">One that holds the summit register.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/20260215_144906C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/20260215_144906C.jpg\" alt=\"Summit Marker of Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Summit Marker of Picketpost Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DSC_8555_DSC_8569-15.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_8555_DSC_8569-15.jpg\" alt=\"View from Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>View from Picketpost Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a video I took from the summit of Picketpost Mountain.<br \/>\n<video controls width=\"100%\" poster=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/Picketpost_Thumb.jpg\" preload=\"none\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/Picketpost_2160p30_H265_16Mbps.mp4\"><\/video><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">14 seconds, 2160p30fps, H265 only, 16Mbps\/30MB file size.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Additionally, I launched my drone for an aerial tour of Picketpost Mountain, and the Telegraph Canyon extending from it. Here&#8217;s a video:<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FXsh1YoWfRA\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left;line-height: 100%\">\n<li>0:00 Circling around Picketpost Mountain, taking in the imposing cliffs that encircle it.<\/li>\n<li>1:06 Flying south towards Telegraph Canyon, which commanded the most prominent view from the summit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DJI_0230.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DJI_0230.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rolling Hills<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DJI_0246.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DJI_0246.jpg\" alt=\"Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Telegraph Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DJI_0252.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DJI_0252.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DJI_0256.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DJI_0256.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Picketpost Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DJI_0262.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DJI_0262.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Picketpost Mountain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DJI_0230.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DJI_0246.jpg\" alt=\"Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DJI_0252.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DJI_0256.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DJI_0262.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-7, #splide-thumb-7 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DJI_0230.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DJI_0230.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Rolling Hills<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DJI_0246.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DJI_0246.jpg\" alt=\"Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Telegraph Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DJI_0252.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DJI_0252.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DJI_0256.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DJI_0256.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Picketpost Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DJI_0262.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DJI_0262.jpg\" alt=\"Picketpost Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Picketpost Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/DJI_0234_DJI_0245-12.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/15\/thumbnails\/DJI_0234_DJI_0245-12.jpg\" alt=\"Mesas along Telegraph Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mesas along Telegraph Canyon<\/p><\/div>\n<p>I had set aside an entire afternoon for Picketpost Mountain, so I lingered at the summit, taking my time to absorb the scenery while also turning inward to reflect on some recent events in my life. As I sat there gazing out over a maze of canyons and rolling hills below, my mind seemed to inhabit the opposite vantage point \u2014 wandering through that canyon-carved landscape of interwoven rock and sparse vegetation, looking upward toward a solitary mountain landmark rising in the distance.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, I spent about 1.5 hours on top of Picketpost Mountain before starting my descent at 3:20pm. I went a bit slower during my descent, ultimately reaching the trailhead at 5:10pm, concluding the trip.<br \/>\nEND<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The second day of my 2026 President&#8217;s Day weekend trip to Phoenix. I hiked Mount Picketpost, a short but intensive hike to the southeast of the city.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[685,427,2],"tags":[686],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10439"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10439"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10439\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10518,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10439\/revisions\/10518"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}