We couldn't help but notice a unique bird in the trees here since it's silly call drew our attention to it. At the trail head there is a well maintained small pit house toilet & a picnic area. This National Park is not typically what most would think of a national park to look like with cacti instead of trees.The park drive is well marked so finding Signal Hill is easy. It’s so much more meaningful knowing what you are looking at. Be sure to pick up a trail brochure at the Visitors Center before heading out. This is one of the don’t miss hikes in Saguaro West. “That is a giant dinosaur chasing after a rattlesnake while the sun in the sky is going to sleep.” Oh kids are delightful. One little boy was really funny in his descriptions. They all had a hoot trying to guess the meaning. The Two Wise Ones hooked up with a family of kids. No one is exactly sure what the designs mean but it is fun guessing. These prehistoric peoples etched various designs into the cliffs and atop the hill. At the bottom of the hill was the first sighting of the rock art of the ancient ones. The trail meandered across a wash and up a small hill. It was an easy hike that both elderly and kids would enjoy. The Two Wise Ones headed out over the easy trail to Signal Hill. This hike is located in Saguaro West just off of the Hohokam Loop Road on the north spur. I would go during the week I imagine it can become very crowded. There are bathrooms and picnic tables Near the signal hill parking area so it's A-OK place for families Or people of a certain age who might want to take a little rest eat some lunch and then hike up to see the cultural markings or vice-versa. You have to climb up an area that has a path and rock steps but I think it won't be a problem for most people if they take their time. You have to go on a dirt road to get there and once they're it's not what I would call accessible except for mobile seniors. The summit also has excellent views over the surrounding deserts. I went on the Signal Hill Trail it's a very short path to a low summit covered with dark igneous boulders, on which are carved dozens of petroglyphs, dating from the Hohokam period of the 13 and 14th centuries. It's definitely worth a stop to talk to them. The volunteers at the Red Hill visitor Center, were very helpful to direct me to my interests. Represented by the Hohokam culture, I'm sure there's many thousands of rock art and ruins scattered throughout the valley. I also have an interest in cultural markings and ruins in the park offers an opportunity to see some. The Signal Hill Trail should be part of your itinerary for Saguaro National Park. The trail is not taxing, takes relatively little time to complete and ends with a nice payoff. My wife and I hiked this trail in late February (when the weather was sunny and cool) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Once you ascend to the top of Signal Hill you'll get a close-up look at more petroglyphs as well as sweeping views of the area. Just before the ascent to the top of Signal Hill, you'll find an interpretive sign which explains the petroglyphs from this sign, look to the top of the hill at the dark rocks and you should be able to spot your first petroglyphs. The hike starts off at the marker near the end of Signal Hill Road and quickly descends a small hill and then goes back up as you pass picnic areas, and then goes across a wash before heading up to the top of Signal Hill. NOTE that it is not wheelchair accessible. The trail itself is appropriately rated “easy” and suitable for all ages and most fitness levels. The site consists of over 200 prehistoric Native American petroglyphs (ancient art that has been carved into a rock surface), many of which can be viewed from the trail. The trail begins at the Signal Hill Picnic Area at the end of Signal Hill Road, located off Bajada Loop Drive. The Signal Hill Trail is a 0.4 mi/0.64 km out-and-back trail located in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park (which is west of Tucson).
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