Signature Rock Double Loop Exploratory - 2/21/26

Southern view of Razorback Ridge

Signature Rock near Boulder Canyon

Old Arrowhead Road entering Pinto Valley

Very old Ram's Head

Pinto Valley Wash near Northshore Road

Did you ever have one of those days where you do one small thing wrong and the whole day goes to hell? 

This was one of those days.

So, I have led or attended the Signature Rock Loop five to ten times. It's not really a difficult route. There's just a few particular landmarks that you need to know. However, distraction is the enemy!

We parked at the Northshore Road MM 18.2ish filling one of the last spaces on a Saturday. Later, we would be the second to last car to leave the pullout. After crossing the road, we hiked over and dropped into the Pinto Valley Wash to start up. It was a beautiful day. (Thank God for small favors.) Even the anticipated red mud due to the recent rains never materialized as we hiked up the wash and onto the Old Arrowhead Road. The old Salt Lake City to Los Angeles road followed the Pinto Valley wash for a few miles of some of the most beautiful scenery in the area.

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Old Arrowhead Road

Old Arrowhead Road winding through mud Hills

Lady Hikers at road high point after Switchback

Descending into the Colors

Colors abounded as we climbed the road after a supported switchback and small high point. From this high point, glorious views were seen in every direction. We continued out the road that in a few parts climbed up to the left bank of the wash. Looking down to our right, we could clearly see why the road had taken a detour up. The wash dips among the rock layers of the area. We passed the Eagle Rock.... Look up to the right. You will see it! Then the western end of Pinto Valley begins. Over the embankment on the right, there are three rock fins rising up through the earth. These rock fins hold several petroglyphs and other signs of ancient human life. We climbed up and looked through a fin that I had not explored before. We were always careful to stay on the rocks and in the washes so not to disturb the earth. After exploring a while, we returned to the route in a large nearby wash and hiked on down to Signature Rock. The dark brown flat-sided rock hangs on the north side of Pinto Valley not too far from the petroglyph fins. We used the rock area as our break place and enjoyed a rest.

Road after Switchback

It's a beautiful area!

Multicolor Razorback Ridge

Colorful Area

Enjoying the Colors

After the break, we started back up the wash closer to the north side where we could connect with a medium wash that forks to the right leading into the hills. You can see the Chocolate Hills beyond. We arrived at the beginning of the dry waterslides and climbed up toward the brown mud hills. It is necessary to pass one wash on the right and climb up the very next ridge. This ridge climbs between two wash, each of which ends with an un-negotiable dry fall. This ridge has a trail that we followed up, across a saddle and down to the left. Continuing to follow the trail, we dove into the dry mud "chocolate hills" - a place I'll call the Maze! This "Maze" has winding washes leading in a basic 10:00 or 11:00 direction. Someone has effectively removed all the cairns that aid hikers in knowing which fork to take where. There was one cairn left near the base of the final hill climb - a dirt path precariously hanging on the side of one of the mud hills leading up to the ridge crossing between the Maze and above the road switchback area. I have never seen a hiker fall off the side of this path but it could happen! All three of us climbed the hill like pros then dropped down the other side. Following the logical wash afterwards, took us right by the tip end of the road switchback.

Following road through the Colors

The road rises above the Wash

Something buried in the wash, Eagle Rock, a grinding stone, and an Oven

Kay and Sue in Pinto Valley Wash

Climbing up to petroglyph Ridges

We continued down the wash/road talking and enjoying the scenery. Note to self: Don't talk during this section of the hike! I really don't know who turned into the Hamblin Mountian trail route, but I'll just say it was me because I am usually in front. I was talking and found myself on a trail I didn't recognize. When I got home and downloaded the track, I saw the mistake. We came to a cairned junction and I thought it would be interesting to turn and see where it went since I thought I knew where we were. Au contraire. We followed the trail and soon, I realized that I had no idea where we were. Hmm. We climbed up over a saddle, looked repeatedly at the GPSs, did a small scramble, and dropped down into an unfamiliar wash. Next, I took another look at the GPS and realized I was on the Hamblin Mountain Trail that I have been on many times. You would think that I would naturally fall in on this familiar route. Yeah, right. Well, there was some discussion about where the cars were as opposed to where the trail went. You're right. Two different places. Hmm. Well, now I know. The only reasonable way to go is to follow the Hamblin Mountain Trail. Let me finish. ... if I have to.

Signature Rock on west end of Pinto Valley

Sue on a dry Waterslide

Kay and Sue in the Chocolate Hills

Sue and Susan climbing trail in the mud hills Maze

Returning through the Washes

Yes. I did recognize that big black mountain down the "Long Haul Wash." (See maps.) Being temporarily confused, I reluctantly turned left and headed toward it. Fun. Reached the black mountain. Decided to go up and over its saddle ... because there was a trail. Down the other side. Down a shorter "long haul wash" to Northshore Road that we saw from the top of the saddle. And, very reluctantly, turned to the right to start up a good mile on the road to our car. At least two miles more than was planned for the day. Well, as I say at the end of any exploratory, "We learned a lot!" And, probably won't do that again! Now, we can laugh.

Stats: 11.2 miles; 1900' gain; 8 hours

Taking the cross trail to Hamblin Mountain Route

Climb over the saddle to the original Hamblin Mountain Trail

Hill down to Hamblin Mountain Trail

Arriving in Long Haul Wash on Hamblin Mountain Trail

Liberty Loop - 2/14/26

Colorado River Overlook above Liberty Bell Arch

Liberty Bell Arch with heart-shaped rock for Valentine's Day

Bristlebush in White Rock Canyon

Trail Signs

Before we were inundated with the bad weather of late, three Lady Hikers hiked the Liberty Loop out in the Lake Mead NRA just below Hoover Dam and the Tillman-O'Callahan Bridge. Most hikers see the Liberty Bell Arch as an out-and-back hike starting at the White Rock Canyon Trailhead (MM 4 on SR 93). This is a popular trailhead because it serves White Rock Canyon, Ringbolt Hot Springs, Spooky Canyon, Horse Thief Canyon and Liberty Bell Arch. It is also used for various other exploratory hikes in the area. We dropped down into the wide wash that flows under the highway bridge and began our walk down. Staying to the right when the wash starting narrowing, we came to an intersection with a small sign on the right side (see photo to the left). We turned to the right here and began a small climb up through the desert hills passing some old mining equipment. If you look up to the right, you will see the old Liberty Bell Arch Trail coming down a hill. 

Liberty Bell Arch Trail

Manganese Mine Skiff

Lady Hikers

Remnants from Manganese Mine

The mine was used back during the World War II days when manganese was needed. The mine is found at the bottom of a hill and around a corner to the right. After viewing the mine, we returned to the small valley wash there and continued our easy descent through the blooming suncups and brittlebushes, a sea of yellow. At the bottom of the wash, the trail turns up to the right where it reaches an intersection. You can see a side of the arch from here. (This intersection will be important later.) We switchbacked up the trail and continued up to reach the area below a steep hill to the arch. Some hikers use this hill to climb up and around to the other side of the arch. This is not an easy task and we chose not to do it while we watched two other hikers try it. After taking several photos, we continued up the trail moving away from the huge arch climbing to a plateau lying above the Colorado River. There are some wonderful views from this vantage point. We sat here and took our break.

Liberty Bell Arch and Lady Hikers

Susan at Colorado River Overlook

Fortification Hill from Liberty Bell Arch Trail

Starting out the return Loop

After the break, we returned past the arch and on down to that important intersection. However, this time, we stepped over the barrier of lined rocks and continued straight on a slightly vague trail. This trail led us up past a hill on its left side, around to the right, up and over a small rock ridge (look for a cairn with huge rocks!), around to the left and, finally, to a V-shaped drop and a more gentle slope to the big wash below. This is the return wash. Slowly, we descended to the wash and started up. The wash is very pretty where you drop in. Look for three tall verticle cairns as you climb. A few easy to moderate scrambles will appear. Take the left at a large fork because the right is a dead end. Then keep right after that. You will eventually reach the last curve before the highway above. This is where you should climb up to the right to reach the old mining road that was part of the old Liberty Bell Arch Trail that began at the highway. This highway, SR 93, was rebuilt around 2010. The new road eliminated the old trailhead.

Susan and Sue descending to the return Wash

Gradual climb in the ascending Wash

Vertical cairn beyond the Brittlebushes

Sue climbs a dry Waterslide

After climbing up the hill to the right, we reached the old mining road and turned right. This road wiggles around where you can see the trailhead and highway bridge where we started. Shortcuts across the wiggles have been worn by bighorns and hikers. Happy with our adventure, we hiked under the bridge and up into the trailhead passing many other hikers coming and going.

Stats: 6 miles; 1300' gain; 4.5 hours

Reaching SR 93 inside the return Wash

The old Liberty Bell Arch Trail and Mine Road

Return to the Trailhead