Location and surroundings
Signal Peak is in Yuma County, Arizona, in the United States. It belongs to the Kofa Area of the North Sonoran Desert Ranges, within the wider Southwest Basins and Ranges and Intermountain West of the North American Cordillera. At 1,481 m, it is the highest of the 27 named peaks in its range and the range high point.
The mountain rises in a dry desert setting with open slopes, ridges and scattered peaks around it. Near the summit are Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and Kofa Wilderness, so the upper mountain lies in protected country rather than settled land.
Neighbouring peaks
The closest named peaks around Signal Peak show how it sits among a cluster of higher and lower desert summits:
- Ten Ewe Mountain — 1,437 m, 1.0 km east
- Summit Peak — 1,308 m, 2.0 km south-east
- Old Smokey Mountain — 1,307 m, 3.9 km south-east
- Twin Spires — 688 m, 6.6 km north
- Lonesome Peak — 651 m, 8.5 km north-west
- Polaris Mountain — 1,099 m, 11.0 km south-east
- Hidden Valley Hills — 574 m, 12.3 km south-west
- Kofa Mountains — 842 m, 12.4 km east
Signal Peak is higher than all of these nearby summits, and Ten Ewe Mountain is the nearest of them.
The view from the summit
Within 25 km, the highest peaks include New Water at 976 m, 21.6 km east; Kofa Butte at 973 m, 16.9 km south-east; and High Peak at 808 m, 14.6 km south-west. Other notable summits are Owl Head to the north-east, Brass Cap Point to the north, and Beahive also to the north.
From the top, the eye is likely to take in a wide desert basin-and-range scene rather than a single dominant skyline. The surrounding peaks are lower, so Signal Peak should read as the main high point of the area.
The range
Signal Peak belongs to the Kofa Area, whose highest peak is Signal Peak itself. The range has 27 named peaks, and the mountain ranks first by elevation among them. In the wider hierarchy, it sits inside the North Sonoran Desert Ranges, then the Southwest Basins and Ranges, the Intermountain West, and the North American Cordillera.
That ranking matters for navigation and route-finding: the summit is not just another hill in the district, but the top point of the whole Kofa Area. Climbers moving through the range will usually use the surrounding ridges and passes to approach it.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER for 2001–2020 suggest that the summit is warmest in July, at about 27 °C, and coldest in December, at about 7 °C. The surrounding area gets about 100 mm of precipitation a year, with the wettest month in January at about 15 mm and the driest in May at about 0 mm.
This is a dry desert mountain, so heat, sun exposure and sudden weather changes are the main concerns. In cooler months, nights can still feel cold at elevation, while summer outings need careful planning around heat and dehydration.
Best time to visit
At the summit, every month is estimated to stay above freezing on average, but the most comfortable periods are usually the cooler parts of the year. The drier stretch includes late spring, especially May, when rainfall is about zero, while January is the wettest month.
For a climb in this desert setting, many visitors would favour the cooler season rather than midsummer heat. Even then, the mountain’s open slopes and dry air mean that water, sun protection and an early start remain important.
Nature and wildlife
The upper mountain lies in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and Kofa Wilderness, so the setting is protected desert terrain with rocky slopes, sparse vegetation and open views. In this part of Arizona, plants are typically adapted to heat and low rainfall, with wildlife suited to dry canyons, ridges and scrub.
Expect a landscape shaped by bare rock, gravel, and scattered desert growth rather than forest. Wildlife in such country often includes reptiles, birds of prey and mammals that move through the cooler parts of the day.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain like Signal Peak, a certified guide is usually optional rather than essential, but it can help if you want route planning, pacing, desert safety advice or support in unfamiliar terrain. In the United States, the national mountain guide association is the American Mountain Guides Association, an IFMGA/UIAGM member, and the national alpine club is the American Alpine Club.
Examples of established guiding companies working in the mountains of the country include RMI Expeditions in Washington and Exum Mountain Guides in Wyoming. In the United States, some peaks require climbing registration or permits from the land agency, so it is sensible to check the rules for the area before setting out.
Safety and preparation
Signal Peak demands preparation for desert travel: heat, strong sun, dry air, loose rock and long stretches without shade or water. Good footwear, navigation tools, and enough water for the whole outing are important, especially if you are moving on rough ground or in warm weather.
For emergencies in the United States, the mountain rescue number is 911. Dispatchers alert the local search and rescue team, usually run by the county sheriff or a national park authority.
Interesting facts
Signal Peak is the highest of 27 named peaks in the Kofa Area and the area’s high point. The nearest named peak is Ten Ewe Mountain, only 1.0 km away to the east, while the range high point is the mountain itself.
The summit is also part of a protected landscape, with Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and Kofa Wilderness near the top. That combination of range high point, protected land and desert setting gives the mountain its main character.
FAQ
How high is Signal Peak? It rises to 1,481 m.
Where is Signal Peak? It is in Yuma County, Arizona, in the United States, within the Kofa Area.
What range is Signal Peak part of? It belongs to the Kofa Area, inside the North Sonoran Desert Ranges and the wider Southwest Basins and Ranges.
What are the nearest peaks to Signal Peak? The closest named peak is Ten Ewe Mountain, 1.0 km east at 1,437 m. Other nearby peaks include Summit Peak and Old Smokey Mountain to the south-east.
Is there water on the way to Signal Peak? In this dry desert terrain, plan to carry your own supply. A sensible amount is about 1.5–3 litres for a day, more in hot weather or on a longer outing.
Are there huts on Signal Peak? OpenStreetMap shows no hut or shelter within 2 km of the top, so hikers usually plan the ascent as a day trip or carry their own tent.
Is mobile phone coverage likely on Signal Peak? Coverage in the hills is patchy and depends on the operator. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.