Signal Peak | Washington County Highpoint

Hiking Signal Peak - Washington County Highpoint Hiking Signal Peak

Washington County Highpoint

Overview

RATING: Moderate Hike
MAPS: Signal Peak, UT;

Sun

Partly sunny, with a high near 49. West southwest wind 1 to 7 mph.

49 | 39

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

50 | 36

Tue

A chance of rain after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 47.

47 | 35

Wed

A slight chance of snow before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

40 | 31

Thu

A chance of snow after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 38.

38 | 28

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall (hot in summer)
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None
NOTES: The first part of the trail is steep and hot! If doing this hike in the summer, get a very early start to be high up the hill before the sun begins baking the lower portions of the trail.

Check the Dixie National Forest alerts page to make sure the road to Oak Grove Campground is open. Occasionally during high summer, it is closed due to fire danger.

Sun

Partly sunny, with a high near 49. West southwest wind 1 to 7 mph.

49 | 39

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

50 | 36

Tue

A chance of rain after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 47.

47 | 35

Wed

A slight chance of snow before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

40 | 31

Thu

A chance of snow after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 38.

38 | 28

View Full Weather Details
Dawn lighting while making the trudge up to the rim.

Dawn lighting while making the trudge up to the rim.

Further Water meadow.

Further Water meadow.

Signal Peak, in the Pine Valley Mountains, is the Washington County highpoint, as well as the Pine Valley Mountains highpoint. The peak is not as dramatic as many in Utah, but the views of the surrounding desert and St. George area makes this a very worthwhile hike. The route climbs steeply for the first 2.5 miles in full morning sun, so start early in the summer. Once on the mesa, it is a pleasant meander to the peak.

Historical Note: The peak was named when signals were placed on it during World War II to help guide planes.

Note: Further Water on the ridge top CAN have a flowing stream, but can also dry up in late season. Don't count on it for humans or dogs, bring all that you will need for the hike.

View from the summit.

View from the summit.

Morning light on the cliffs

Morning light on the cliffs

Getting There

If traveling from the north on I-15, take exit 23 toward Leeds/Silver Reef. If traveling from the south, take exit 22, and follow main street 1.5 miles to Silver Reef Dr. Turn left onto Silver Reef Drive and go under the highway.

(Both routes) From the highway, follow Silver Reef Drive west for about a mile Silver Reef Drive becomes Oak Grove Rd. Continue on it. At about 1.6 miles, the road turns to dirt and enters National Forest after crossing a bridge. Reset your odometer here.

Stay right, on the main road, just after the bridge and follow it as it ascends up the hill. At 1.5 miles, is a junction. Go right, and follow the road to its end (7.0 miles) at the Oak Grove Campground. There is good camping at this small campground, and a few primitive sites before reaching the campground.

Route

Summit: 3159 m ( 10365 ft. )
Trailhead: 1990 m ( 6529 ft. )

From the trailhead, follow the trail a few minutes to where the summit trail branches off on the right. In 2014, this was not signed, but easy to spot. It actually looks a bit like a wash and starts off a bit boulder strewn. Charge up the hill! It is about 2.5 miles and whopping 3200' gain to the rim.

One on the rim, the trail descends and meets up with the Summit Trail. Go left on the summit trail as it climbs and descends to Further Water. If there is water, it will be here. Cross the meadow and begin climbing. Signal peak is to the south of the trail here. Leave the trail at a large cairn (or anywhere convenient) and work up to the rim.

The peak is a tree covered, with cairns leading a path to a register near the edge. The summit offers good views of St. George and surrounding desert areas,


Photos

Maps

Route / 8.71 miles / Elevation Range 6,538 - 10,366 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12S 282629mE 4132878mN

N37° 19' 02" W113° 27' 11"

Junction - Left

12S 281092mE 4134417mN

N37° 19' 50" W113° 28' 15"

Summit

12S 279143mE 4133216mN

N37° 19' 10" W113° 29' 33"

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