Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking Guide

HIEROGLYPHICS CANYON

If a short and easy hike through the Superstition Wilderness to Native American petroglyphs appeals to you, then you'll like this hike.

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 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.

RATING

Be Aware of: limited parking

30 yr old Recommendation: 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.

DETAILS

Elevation change: About 200 ft elevation gain. There is some up and down along the hike.

Distance: The hike described is 2.2 miles round trip to the Petroglyphs and back.

Time: It took us just over 1.0 hours hiking to complete this hike.

Time of year: All Year. If hiking in the summer, best start this hike early in the morning because it can get hot.

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

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 and the parking lot isn't very big.

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 favorates 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.

[Petroglyphs in Hieroglyphic Canyon]

[Rare water in Hieroglyphic Canyon]

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