This may be my favorite hike of all the peaks.  The trail was well marked and very entertaining.  Lots of Saguaros and Mountain Views!  As well as lots of Petroglyphs about .9 mile mark on the wash trail at the beginning.  When you get to the end of the wash, those steps are very hidden in the bushes, once you find them and continue, the trail is well marked at all junctions.  We hiked a counterclockwise loop and I think it would be better coming down from the peak that way.  Going up is rocky but taking breaks on the rocky terrain would be better than coming down that way!  It's a well traveled peak and we met many fun hikers along the way, Leap frogging them on the way up.  The views on the way up just get better and better on both sides and the Saguaros on this side of the park are spectacular.  It's just basically a march up and no scrambles, yea!! Once you get to the .3 out and back to the top, you've got it!  We were so lucky it was a gorgeous day and the weather was cool.  Can't imagine doing this in the summer, no shade except for a couple rock spots.  We took plenty of water and a few hikers turned back because even in December, they didn't bring enough to continue (thank goodness for common sense).  The top was amazing and we ate a snack and took photos then headed down the Esperanza Trail.  We found it very useful to stop at the visitors center and grab a paper map to have along the way.  There are many trails, especially on the way down and you definitely want to end up at the same parking lot as your start ! It was really nice coming down the smooth trail on the way down and there were also a few old mines to poke around.  Took us about 4 1/2 hours with a break at the top and a few breaks on the way up.  Stayed the night at the Marriott Starr Pass for NYE and celebrated our hike and New Year's Eve.