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| Hiking | 4.50 Miles |
3,655 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.50 Miles | 6 Hrs | | 1.00 mph |
| 3,655 ft AEG | 1 Hour 30 Mns Break | 12 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | Signal Peak 4,877' - Yuma CHP - Prominence 3,482'- AZ Prominence Peak Rank: 16
Having just recently bagged this peak solo, let me begin by saying that I DO NOT recommend this as a solo trek for any hiker of any experience level. Having said that, let me offer that if you have also solo hiked Signal Peak to the summit - we should probably form a support group or the like, as we surely have a great deal in common. Reasons for these opening statements are mainly based on the remoteness and lack of an adequate cell signal on the eastern slope of the peak where this moderately technical (class II in a couple places) hiking route exists - the cell signal on the western slope is excellent.
I have had this AZ CHP on an endless list of potential treks in the southwest since the early 90's ... I remember the first time I took a gander down US Hwy 95 south of Quartzsite 20-25 years ago ... the stunning silhouette of the northern Kofa Mountains made an indelible impression on me - coming to signify the extreme harsh beauty that the lower Sonoran Desert is renowned for. It was with these salient memories that I chose to gear up for an overnight below Palm Canyon and a solo peak bagging of Signal the following day - as an extended detour on the return trip from below sea level business in Calexico, CA. I drove my high clearance (essential) 4x4 (not mandatory, but helpful - heavy suspension, etc.) so as to be able to access the remote TH - which is a mere 350 miles one-way from my place in Sierra Vista.
The abundance of frenetic, fly-catching Phainopeplas could not be exaggerated in the Kofa Queen Canyon area; this along with an abundance of Chaparral, large mature Chaparro Amargosa mid-route, blended with Jojoba thickets and consistently placed Mormon Tea make-up the prominent flora & fauna in the Ten Ewe Canyon & Indian Canyon areas. I fashioned a hiking stick out of an appropriately downed agave stalk at about a half mile into the trek with my Leatherman. This would be near essential, not just for the ascent but even more so for the slow deliberate descent - with abundant (non-scree) loose rock - I fell flat on my rear a handful of times, fortunately not very far though, just directly to the ground while keeping the center of gravity low when / where need be. There are a few scramble (photo link) & exposed scramble (photo link) areas on the way up that require even more focused attention on the way down than up...
This 'rugged' Arizona peak can't be fully witnessed until near the apex of the trail, as you finally clear the last of many terrace-type levels along the way. It is an extremely appealing site (especially soloing), when you initially realize that it is NOT one of the more severe, jagged peaks surrounding the summit at just slightly lower elevations. I made way up and sat flat on the ground atop the 1949 benchmark that is Signal Peak - looking around for a good long time at the living 360 degree panorama that stretched well into California, Sonora, the Baja and eastward toward metro Phoenix.
The wind picked-up as soon as I left the peak, as the front that would be Friday rain was approaching from the WNW quickly. This is definitely not the type of peak bagging where you gain from your ascent investment by taking advantage of gravity while jog-hiking at 5mph< back to the trail head. Gravity is not your friend on the descent, thus the 1 mph pace on average for the hike entire! The system of Cairns that marks the most glib hiking route toward the summit is just as useful coming back down...
While making my final approach toward the wash basin in the lower elevations of the hike a most wondrous finale occurred. A sole desert bighorn ram came charging up the trail below me and split-off to my right and up the ridge just overhead. It stopped fast, then looked straight at me from about 30' away - I juggled for my camera and started snapping a few shots not even looking through the view finder - so as to remain present for the encounter. He trotted away behind a bush and reappeared seconds later remaining fixed on my location not far away. He then bolted in a tremendous show of power and agility, ideally evolved for this environment and then reemerged well below on a small outcropping - he turned and stared in my direction seemingly observing my downhill progress. He then turned and looked outward toward the east and the opening of the canyon, clearly confident in being the master of his domain. I finished the final half-mile of the hike tacitly humbled by nature's magnificence once again - then exited the Kofa Wildlife Refuge toward Quartzsite and the long drive home to Cochise County. |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Verbena & Brittlebush in flower here and there... |
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Indian Canyon |
Dry |
Dry |
| | | There was NO water to be found in the lower portion of the canyon. |
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Ten Ewe Canyon |
Dry |
Dry |
| | | There was NO water to be found in the lower portion of the canyon. | | _____________________
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Route Editor
Route Scout
on the new picnic tables at the the Hereford Bridge TH - Good times & training! 
