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Hieroglyphics Canyon

Updated
petroglyphs
water near Hyrogliphics Canyon
hiker on the Hyrogliphics Canyon trail
Saguaro in the Superstitions
Hyrogliphics Canyon trail
map: Hyrogliphics Canyon trail
elevation plot: Hyrogliphics Canyon

Location

How to Get There
This hike is located near Apache Junction, AZ.

To get to the trailhead: From the Phoenix area, take US-60 East, leaving the city limits. After leaving Apache Junction, continue about 3 miles, turning left onto Kings Ranch Road. This is paved most of the way as you pass by Gold Canyon Ranch. Drive 2.7 miles on Kings Ranch Road and turn right on Baseline Avenue. After 0.2 miles, you'll turn left onto Mohican Road. After 0.2 miles, turn left onto Valley View Road. This road will soon turn into Valley View Road, and then into Whitetail road. Follow this road for 0.6 miles to Cloudview Road. Turn right onto Cloudview road and drive 0.5 more miles to the parking area.
addressone
cloudview road
city
apache junction
state
az
Region
Superstition and Mazatzal Wilderness

Hike details

Distance
3.20 [Miles] Total
Hike Distance- Details
The hike described is 3.2 miles round trip to the Petroglyphs and back.
Time
1.50 [Hours]
Time-details
It took us just over 1.5 hours hiking to complete this hike.
Elevation Change
500 Total gain/loss [Feet]
Elevation Details
About 500 ft elevation gain. The elevation gain is pretty gradual.
Hike Trail Type
Out and Back
Special Features
Wild Flowers

Season

Best Season
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • October
  • November
  • December
Date Hike completed
January 04, 2004

Solitude

Solitude
Low
Solitude Details
This is a very popular trail. You'll be sharing this trail with 40-75 other people.

Difficulty

Difficulty Rating
Easy
difficulty detail
This is an easy hike and would make a good introduction to the Superstition Mountain Range. The out and back described here is an Easy hike.

Permits

Be Aware of
limited parking

Hike up Hieroglyphics canyon in the Superstition Wilderness, Arizona.

The toughest part about this hike is finding the trailhead. After taking a driving tour of the Gold Canyon sprawl, following the directions above will get you to the trailhead. Parking may be another problem, as this is a popular trailhead.

From the well signed trailhead, go through the gate and towards the Superstition Mountain range. After about 100 yards of hiking, you'll reach the turn off for the Lost Goldmine Trailhead. Stay left to take the Hieroglyphic Trail 101. 

The trail is in good shape and climbs gradually through the desert. All the old cactus favorites are here, including Saguaro, prickly pear, and Cholla. After 1.1 miles of walking, you will reach the mouth of a canyon. Look on the walls to the left for the petroglyphs. There are petroglyphs all over this area, so a little exploring will be rewarded. Please only watch these petroglyphs from afar, so the next generation can enjoy them too.   

When you've finished exploring, return the way you came.

Map

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