- Hikes in Arizona
- Superstition and Mazatzal Wilderness
- Hieroglyphics Canyon
Hieroglyphics Canyon
Location
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.
Hike details
Season
- January
- February
- March
- April
- October
- November
- December
Solitude
Difficulty
Permits
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.
