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I'm leading a couple novice out-of-towners on a hike from Pima Canyon Trailhead tomorrow morning. I haven't hiked South Mountain much, but I'd like to take them by some petroglyphs. Are there any cool 'glpyhs in that area? If so, it'd be much appreciated to have some coordinates for their approximate location! Seriously, a little 411 would go a long way! My general plan right now is to go out National and come back over the Ridgeline Trail, shooting for a 3.5 mile hike, but can alter my route or extend the hike an extra mile to accommodate a glimpse of the 'glyphs. Please help!

There's a nice panel off Mormon Trail, right about here: http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=3762

They're accessible so expect many of the drawings to be a bit more contemporary.

If your crew is in decent shape, Mormon is a much more interesting way to access National anyhow. In my opinion, accessing SoMo from Pima canyon or the 46th st ridgeline TH is boring. Take them on the Hidden Valley loop via Mormon Trail. That loop always delivers. Also keeps you within 4 miles.

@Joel Hazelton
Oh yeah that's a great hike...unfortunately it's not up to me for the starting point so we're going from Pima no matter what.

@hippiepunkpirate
Just wonder how far are you planning on hiking?

@Widowmaker
I'm thinking that 4 miles round trip well be the upper limit.

@hippiepunkpirate Are you hiking in the rain today?

@hippiepunkpirate
The Hieroglyphics trail in the Superstition Mountains in Apache Junction is really cool.
Map Coor. Q4
Waypoint Easting 460499
Waypoint northing 3694572

@hippiepunkpirate
Understood. Reaching my suggested petroglyphs from Pima would extend the hike to 6+ miles, which seems a bit outside of the distance you want with your guests. I seem to recall seeing some petroglyphs poking around in Pima Wash, but nothing I could send you waypoints for. Whenever I hike out of Pima, I hop straight on the Guadalupe Ridge trail. Only real interesting route out of that trailhead, IMO. It's steep in spots, so depending your party's abilities, it may be somewhat over their head compared to the well established Ridgeline Trail.

Actually... Speaking of Guadalupe Ridge. If you head up that trail, not far from the parking lot is Marcos De Niza rock. A message inscripted in the rock supposedly by Marcos De Niza. It's protected by bars. Easy to spot. Experts say it's fake for various reasons, but still an interesting thing to stop and look at if you're heading that way.

Guadalupe Ridge trail. Only real interesting route out of that trailhead

amen

We did hike in the rain this morning. I didn't really want to make it more complicated than my brain could handle, so did a loop going out National and coming back Mormon Loop back to National. Could've gone to Joel's suggestion along Mormon but didn't want to get hopes up if we missed the 'glyphs. They were first time hikers bit were reasonably fit so we were able to knock out 6 miles. I could tell that National along the lower reaches wasn't great, but the foggy weather made it epic, especially since they were first timers. Turned out well, but I definitely need to hike out there some more (in dry weather) and scout the area. Working as a guide is interesting because things we take for granted here (such as a "boring, flat, wide" trail) are often impressive to others, especially the flatlanders from the Midwest

@hippiepunkpirate
Well then you did see a few 'glyphs. You passed by a least four petroglyphs along the way. So how many did you see?

@Widowmaker
Why didn't you offer some beta since you knew of the 4 glyphs on the way and you were actively participating in the thread? HPP's my homie so I gotta ask.

@Joel Hazelton well I wasn't sure how far they were going or when. When I got the reply they were already done.
And one of the four was one you mentioned which you did not give directions. And your right it does have bars around it and it is the closest to Pima Trailhead.