Photos of a hike on the Hieroglyphic Canyon Trail
in the Superstition Mountain Wilderness
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The Hieroglyphic Trail is one of the easier trails in the Superstition Wilderness but it's not a smooth path the whole way. There are rocks in the trail and you have to climb over rock ledges at the Petroglyphs. This hike has a very good ratio of reward to effort during the hiking season--especially when the spring wildflowers are blooming. At times this area can be very crowded. I've seen as many as 30 people sitting on the rock ledges around the petroglyphs. There are rumors of the Hiergolphic Canyon Trail being the location of wild night-time parties by local teenagers. This is not a good hike when the weather is hot--the rock ledges reflect and radiate heat so you'll get roasted from all sides.

It's a 3 mile round trip and takes about 1.5 hours round trip without counting the time spent at the Petroglyphs. The trail gradually climbs about 650 feet. The drive to the Hieroglyphic trailhead through Gold Canyon can be confusing so print out a copy of the map.

Hieroglyphic Canyon is part of Superstition Mountain and experienced hikers can follow an unofficial route to the top of the Superstition Mountain Ridgeline near South Peak. Although it's called Hieroglyphic Canyon, these are petroglyphs. The distinction was unimportant to the miners and cowboys who named features in the Superstiton Wilderness.

There may be a portable toilet at the trailhead--but it's often not sufficient for the crowds and is full and overflowing.
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