Phoenix Mountains Preserve

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail

7.6 mi · ▲ 2,057 ft · 3 hr 34 min

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail is a 7.6-mile out-and-back in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near Doubletree Canyon, AZ. It climbs 2,057 ft, with sections as steep as 36% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 14/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,421 – 2,418 ft · steepest grade: 36%8.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 33.55738, -111.98241
Nearest town Doubletree Canyon, AZ

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail

7.6 mi · ▲ 2,057 ft · 3 hr 34 min

Elevation 1,420–2,419 ft

Out & Back · Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Trailhead: 33.55738, -111.98241

Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:51 PM

Transit-accessible: stop 643 m from the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
  3. 1.3 miTurn left, heading N.
  4. 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
  5. 0.1 miTurn right onto #8 - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading N.
  6. 200 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  7. 200 ftSharp right, heading SW.
  8. 0.1 miBear left, heading NW.
  9. 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
  10. 250 ftSharp left onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading NW.
  11. 0.7 miBear left, heading W.
  12. 0.3 miBear right, heading NW.
  13. 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  14. 200 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  15. 0.3 miContinue straight onto #1A - Perl Charles Trail, heading SW.
  16. 150 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  17. 150 ftBear left, heading W.
  18. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  19. 0.3 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  20. 0.3 miBear right, heading SW.
  21. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  22. 50 ftBear right, heading SW.
  23. 300 ftContinue straight onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading N.
  24. 0.3 miBear right, heading S.
  25. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  26. 200 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  27. 1.1 miSharp right, heading SE.
  28. 250 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  29. 0.2 miBear right, heading E.
  30. 500 ftSharp left, heading E.
  31. 200 ftTurn right onto #8 - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading E.
  32. 200 ftTurn left, heading E.
  33. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NE.
  34. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NE.
  35. 1.3 miTurn left, heading NE.
  36. 450 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

76% dirt24% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:05 AMSunset 6:51 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.9 mi in (~38 min). Leave by 5:54 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: stop 643 m from the trailhead

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