Date: October 22, 2024 • Elevation: 2,883 feet • Prominence: 403 feet • Distance: 0.5 mile • Time: 45 minutes • Gain: 495 feet • Conditions: Sunny and warm

Arizona • Main • PB • LoJ

Picture Rocks is a peak in the Saguaro National Park, West Unit. It is noted for some petroglyphs on its summit and in the area, hence the peak's unofficial name.

The peak itself lies about two miles south of Safford Peak. It's small but abrupt with steep slopes and cliffs on three of its sides. I was passing through Tucson as I do most Tuesdays and wanted a hike to break up the drive. This peak looked appealing because it looked like something I could do in an hour.

I left Bisbee about 7:15 a.m. and was in Tucson a couple hours later, traffic heavy due to some cop situation, this time at the Irvington exit. It was close to 9:30 when I was in northern Tucson. I exited at Ina Road and stopped at a gas station for drinks and to change into my hiking pants. Going by the signs, I was now in the town of Marana.

I stayed on Ina westbound, which then went south, now called Picture Rocks Road, going toward the peak. The road curves west again and weaves into and out of a wash. I parked at the Saguaro National Park sign, there being a pullout. The peak is literally across the road. I started walking a little before 10 a.m., conditions pleasant and slightly warm, in the high 70s.

I crossed the road and was immediately on the peak's northeast slopes. I walked orthogonal to the road, going straight up the slope, not angling left or right. Brush was thick but could be avoided if I zigzagged enough.

I was aiming for the ridge ahead of me. I had to drop into a drainage and up the other side, but this was easy to do, just brushy. Once on its opposite side, I found a very meager path, but it was definitely a path, so I followed it.

The path angled right and gained a high ground at the head of the drainage. Now I was close to the top. Up ahead was a rock outcrop, and behind it a ridge, and to its right, the summit.

I just walked in that direction, avoiding brush, watching for snakes. Shortly, I was on that highest ridge. I angled right and clambered through the rocks to the top. I had read this could involve some scrambling, but I only used my hands once and that was for balance. I never actually scrambled. Not even a scamper.

I was on top, the summit being a couple big blocky rocks and a small cairn near a metal pole. There was no register, and I suspect the National Park Service removes them if they're found. I snapped a few images and enjoyed the views.

Slightly below and offset from the summit is a sun glyph etched into a rock. I assume it was the ancient Indians who did it, but that's just my assumption. It looks aged. It was a neat, tangible thing to observe.

The hike down went well. I mainly followed my ascent route, following lanes as I found them. I was back to my car 45 minutes after starting. The climb was short, a little over a mile round trip, with almost 500 feet of gain.

I was pleased to tag this peak. It went better than I expected. I assumed there'd be more scrambling and brush, but for me, it was literally a walk-up, and the brush was heavy but easy to manage.

This allowed me to stay on schedule. I was in Tempe by 1 p.m., to get on with my day job there.