Cottonwood - Telegraph

Total Miles
21.8

Elevation

1,139.80 ft

Duration

4 Hours

Technical Rating

5

Moderate

Best Time

Summer, Fall

Trail Overview

A scenic Jeep trail up Ajax Wash, then along the higher ground, then down into Telegraph Canyon passing Picketpost Mountain on the way to Superior. It can be run in either direction but is described west to east. This trail has had no maintenance for a long time and is becoming slow, bumpy, and dangerous. Cross-trail erosion on the western end gets worse every year and a slip on one of these could be fatal. The center, Telegraph Canyon portion, of the trail was subject to major flooding in 2018 and is also more eroded. The north end of the trail is strictly rock - almost all fines have eroded away over time. Begin this trail at an intersection where half a dozen roads come together. I have heard this called Spaghetti Junction, Dysfunction Junction, and other names not to be repeated here. This trail starts by going back and forth across Ajax Wash, which is the trail called Lower Ajax. After a couple of miles this Telegraph Canyon Trail rises up on the side of the canyon and the wash becomes Upper Ajax.

Difficulty

Uneven, rutted dirt trail with loose rocks, sand, erosion, and washes. Potential water crossings up to 18" deep, mud holes, and obstacles up to 2 feet, including ledges and short, steep grades.

Technical Rating

5

Status Reports

Glen Wilder
Mar 13, 2024
2022 Kawasaki Teryx KRX 1000
Permanently Closed
Heavily Barricaded with Natural Material
Locked Gate
Road closed sign and huge boulders
Don Ewald
Jan 18, 2024
SxS
Open
Rough/Deteriorated
start on ON-X map is blocked. Private property. Continue south on road one half mile or so. New trail number 4 will bypass Private property and connect with old trail.
Rob Derivan
Dec 28, 2023
4x4
Permanently Closed
Officially Closed Sign
Heavily Barricaded with Natural Material
Half a dozen large boulders right inside the trailhead blocking off the route from the Superior side.
Matt Bedore
Oct 14, 2023
SxS
Open
Rough/Deteriorated
Normal

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