Pontatoc Ridge Trail

The Pontatoc Ridge Trail, like the Finger Rock Trail, is in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness of the beautiful Santa Catalina Mountains. In fact, their trailheads meet near the end of Alvernon Way, Finger Rock heading off northeast, and the Pontatoc east-northeast. A very rocky trail and rated as hard because of the elevation gain—over 1,400 feet over two miles, about 1,200 feet of that in the last mile or so. So, not for a beginner. The trail climbs up the ridge in a series of switchbacks as well as just straight up in parts with a substantial grade. About two miles in, the trail ends abruptly at a bleached out cliff. 

Halfway point.

Finger rock pointing upward in the distance.