Hike Signal Peak and Ten Ewe Mountain Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

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It's been almost 5 years since I last hiked Signal Peak, and either the social trail leading to the summit has been developed more visibly, or my route-finding ability has gotten significantly better (I'd say the former). Also of note, the rocky wash pretending to be a road required to reach the trailhead seems to have deteriorated a fair amount, but most reasonable-clearance vehicles can get to there with decent tires. Our goal was to hit Signal Peak, and then head south to Ten Ewe Mountain, which was a quick detour from the standard route up Signal Peak.

We started southwest into Ten Ewe Canyon, following cairns as they brought us up a progressively steepening slope. The trail leads around some cliffs at the base of Ten Ewe Mountain and there are some great views to the northeast into Ten Ewe Canyon. The trail led to a small saddle, where the route continued west along a small grassy slope/basin of sorts before ascending more steeply up a gully, mostly staying out of the drainage. From the top of this steep and heavily human-eroded section, we noted Ten Ewe Mountain to the left, but stayed on the trail as it continued toward Signal Peak. There were a few sections of beautiful colorful slickrock, and a Class 2 section brought us out of the drainage and onto a grassy slope. The slope wrapped along the south side of Signal Peak's false summits. Great views from Signal Peak, and I was happy to revisit the summit.

We made good time getting up the trail to Signal Peak and were looking forward to a little bit of scrambling, so we dropped back down to the top of the first steep gully and headed south through a side-drainage that had some brush. We were able to avoid most of it by staying out of the drainage itself, and then headed east along a grassy ridge to the base of Ten Ewe Mountain. There were a few breaks in the cliff face we could try ascending, but the only one that appeared reasonable from below was the first one on the left. It ascended diagonally from the ridge heading to the left. A short Class 3 section at the top of this weakness was the only real obstacle, and then a few Class 2 moves continued along the northwest slopes/ledges of Ten Ewe Mountain. A little bit of route-finding is required, but nothing particulary noteworthy. However, be sure you pay attention to where you emerged from the slopes/ledge system as not to get lost on the way down. Once above the cliffs, a grassy slope led to the summit of Ten Ewe Mountain.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Signal Peak

4877 ft

3477 rise

Ten Ewe Mountain

4720 ft

480 rise

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Starting up Ten Ewe Canyon on the Signal Peak social trail. Ten Ewe Mountain visible ahead, center.

Along the trail as it heads up the progressively steepening slope.

View back into Ten Ewe Canyon.

Making our way up along the northern slopes of Ten Ewe Mountain.

View back into Ten Ewe Canyon as we continue along the social trail.

The trail became a bit steeper as it made its way up to a small saddle.

Just below the small saddle, a view looking down at our progress up the slope. Ten Ewe Canyon, where we started, is visible in the center.

At the small saddle, a view looking toward a sort-of grassy basin/slope area. The trail traversed this basin feature and headed up the slopes on the opposite side. Ten Ewe Mountain on the left, Signal Peak out of view up top somewhere.

Class 2 fun, beautiful slickrock section.

View back, Ten Ewe Mountain visible center. We'll be doing that peak next.

More fun slickrock on our way up to Signal Peak.

The slickrock ends and the trail continues through the grassy slope leading to the summit.

View back along the grassy slope, Ten Ewe Mountain visible top right.

Signal Peak ahead.

View back again.

Signal Peak summit, view north.

Signal Peak summit, view toward Squaw Peak in the distance.

On our way down from Signal Peak, a view toward Ten Ewe Mountain. Our route would bring us down to a junction of the Signal Peak trail and a drainage that comes in from the south. We ascended the drainage and made our way to the base of Ten Ewe Mountain.

Base of Ten Ewe Mountain. The only reasonable option is the leftmost gully.

Ascending the gully.

Class 3 move at the top of the gully.

Past the gully, some Class 2 obstacles, but nothing too serious. There are a few ledges to navigate, but you can definitely keep the route Class 2.

Past the ledges, we emerged onto the grassy slope leading to the summit, seen ahead.

View back from just below the summit of Ten Ewe Mountain. Signal Peak visible top left.

Ten Ewe Mountain summit, view southeast toward the craggy peaks of the Kofa.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!