"The 1.5 mile Hieroglyphic Trail climbs a gentle slope covered with many cacti then enters the lower end of a boulder-filled canyon, ending at a rocky section where pools of water persist for much of the year. It was a location important for the ancient Hohokam Indians, who inhabited this desert region up to 1,500 years ago. Evidence of their settlement includes hundreds of petroglyphs etched into the dark, weathered surface of the basalt cliffs above the pools, some with very intricate designs."
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." --Marcel Proust ………
In school, I was a visual learner....
Love the different shapes in the rocks, colours, reflections.
Is this recent, I would have thought with the horrible heat you have had the water would have evaporated and surrounding area would look dry.
@illinilass Actually, we are in the middle of the "rainy season" here in the Sonoran Desert. The rain storms that form here from June through September are referred to as monsoons. The summer rains re-charge the pools like this one. The native peoples, centuries ago, retreated from the lower elevations to find cooler climates and reliable sources of water, higher in these nearby mountains.
@stownsend Thanks for your interest. The hike itself is about 1.25 miles one way (2.5 miles round trip). From the trailhead to the petroglyphs it is a gentle uphill grade with some rock scrambling for the last several hundred yards. Walking sticks are a good choice. This time of year early morning (up and back before 10 a.m.) is advisable. You can find more detailed descriptions of the hike on the internet along with reviews from people who have done it. Hope this helps.
August 13th, 2023
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Is this recent, I would have thought with the horrible heat you have had the water would have evaporated and surrounding area would look dry.