AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Phoenix Mountains Preserve

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail

2.4 mi · ▲ 309 ft · 57 min

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail is a 2.4-mile out-and-back in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near Heritage Highlands, AZ. It climbs 309 ft, with sections as steep as 15% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,421 – 1,690 ft · steepest grade: 15%2.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 33.59819, -112.06683
Nearest town Heritage Highlands, AZ
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail

2.4 mi · ▲ 309 ft · 57 min

Elevation 1,420–1,690 ft

Out & Back · Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Trailhead: 33.59819, -112.06683

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

Transit-accessible: stop 366 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading E.
  2. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  3. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  4. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  5. 50 ftSharp right, heading SE.
  6. 200 ftBear left, heading S.
  7. 50 ftTurn left onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading S.
  8. 0.2 miTurn left, heading E.
  9. 1.5 miBear right, heading NW.
  10. 250 ftBear left, heading NW.
  11. 0.6 miTurn right, heading W.
  12. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/100-charles-m-christiansen-trail-out-back-4-km-f1f8

Trail surface

98% dirt2% paved

Weather

Sunrise 6:05 AMSunset 6:51 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.0 mi in (~33 min). Leave by 5:58 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: stop 366 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Heritage Highlands, Arizona