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Woolsey and Signal Peaks -
Woolsey Peak and Signal Mountain Wilderness
| Summary: |
Steep hikes to
two little climbed desert volcanic peaks west of
Phoenix. |
| Directions: |
From Phoenix, head west on I-10 to exit 112 and
Highway 85. Drive south on highway 85 for about
5 miles to between mileposts 150 and 149 to
Hazen Road (which is also Old US 80) heading
towards Palo Verde, Hassayampa and Arlington.
Drive 14.5 miles and turn right onto Agua
Caliente Road. After 0.8 miles stay to the right
onto a well graded dirt road (if you miss this
turn, the pavement soon ends at a gate). After
another 5 miles stay straight (or left) where
the road makes a sharp bend to the right. Stay
on the main track as it heads in a southerly
direction (there are minor roads branching off
every which way). You'll know you are in the
right place if you pass a ranch 1.3 miles later.
At the 4.5 mile point you'll pass a small
wilderness boundary sign. You'll see the rocky,
spiky form of Signal Peak on the right (west)
and the rounded and more massive Woolsey Peak on
the left (east). Follow the road until you feel
you are close enough to start the hike. I parked
at the following GPS
Coordinates
(UTM):
Woolsey Peak:
320594 mE, 3673065 mN
Signal Peak: 321491 mE, 3675642 mN |
| Road Conditions: |
High Clearance
Vehicle |
| Navigation: |
Moderate |
| Length: |
Each hike is ~5 miles |
| Date Hiked: |
March 2008 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Sunny and Nice |
|
Required Skills: |
 |
| Hike Description: |
Woolsey Peak:
From where ever you parked, hike across the
desert towards the mountain. There are many
routes to the summit. I went up the south side
of the hill and down the north and can say that
the south side is considerably easier - so I'll
describe it the way I hiked it (but feel free to
pick your own route). Head in a southeasterly
direction across the desert. You'll have to
cross a few shallow arroyos as you go. As you
get closer to the southern side of the mountain
you'll see a shallow ravine that leads a good
way to the summit. Follow this ravine up the
slope. Stay on the larger basalt blocks as much
as possible as they tend to be stable. As you
get to the top of the ravine, continue climbing
up and slightly to the left, then straight up
once again (basically just pick out the path of
least resistance). Soon you'll reach the cholla
dotted summit, which features good 360 degree
views. There's a register in a little glass jar
near the remains of some type of structure. The
register shows about a dozen people a year reach
the summit. When ready, either return the way
you came or choose another route down. I went
down the north side of the hill via a steep,
rocky slope. The northern route is steeper and
covered with loose rocks, which made the descent
somewhat treacherous. Once down, head northwest
back towards the road and your car.
Signal Peak:
From wherever you parked, hike across the
desert towards Signal Peak. Cross over a low
pass keeping the rounded hill marked 1689 on the
map on your right. Once over this pass you'll
see that there is an arm that extends from the
peak in a north easterly direction. Head across
the desert to this arm and follow it towards the
main body of the mountain. When you reach of the
base of the main peak, you'll see a spiky ridge
of rock just east of the summit. Climb towards
this feature, then skirt its base then climb up
beside it keeping it to your right all the
while. Once up, head left to the base of the
peak. A short, steep climb requiring the use of
hands will bring you to the small summit, which
also features the remains of some type of
structure and a register in a glass jar. It
appears that only 1-2 groups climb the peak per
year. |
| Rating (1-5 stars): |
The author completed the hike to Woolsey Peak in
4.5 hours, then climbed Signal Peak in 3.5
hours. |
| Maps: |
Click here
for a map of Woolsey Peak.
Click here
for a map of Signal Peak. |
| Photos: |
Click picture for larger view, click your browser's 'Back' button to return to this page. |
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