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