They got me thinking. As basic as the tiny drawings were—but like all ancient things do—they made me ponder, wondering what life was like during their creation.
This month's hike and brunch with Women on Adventures featured a hike on the Hieroglyphics Trail in the Superstition Mountains followed by brunch at Gold Canyon Café. To get to the trailhead, take 60 East to Kings Ranch Road. After nearly three miles, you'll turn right on Baseline Road followed by a left on Mohican Road and a left on East Valley View Drive. Continue north onto South White Tail Drive and turn right on East Cloudview Avenue. Maps may be persistent in having you turn down a clearly marked private drive once you turn onto Cloudview, but stay straight on this road and it will take you right to the trailhead.
Although the heat wasn't too bad earlier in the day (even at 9 am), there was minimal shade in the three miles to the end of the trail. After a slight incline the first half mile or so, the trail is relatively flat although it does get a little rocky. But the views overlooking the Superstitions are totally worth the hazard to the ankles.
You'll notice the greenery become more abundant as you get closer to the water. Some slight scrambling over a boulder or two and you've arrived at a steady stream of water as well as the wall of hieroglyphics that is the trail's namesake. The stream is no gushing waterfall, but it's just steady enough to form a few pools that allow you to splash yourself and cool down a bit.
We sat for a solid half hour in the shade of the rock, appreciating the natural beauty and (in my case, anyway) marveling at the history of the spot and wondering if whoever created the hieroglyphics did the exact same thing we were doing.
Once we had our fill of relaxation, we trekked back to the cars and made our way to Gold Canyon Café, a local place unclearly marked and hidden in the back corner of a plaza. We walked into what couldn't be much more than 900 square feet, with beautiful, for-sale photographs adorning the walls—the artist of which sat three tables down from where the waitress seated us.
I don't think anybody was disappointed with what they ordered. I got the Florentine eggs benedict with country potatoes and a nice fruit cup. My only complaint was the lack of Bloody Marys, but I think enough of us craved one that we know to make sure future hike and brunches include at least some form of post-hike drink.