Phoenix Mountains Preserve

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail

5.7 mi · ▲ 1,777 ft · 2 hr 47 min

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail is a 5.7-mile out-and-back in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near Doubletree Canyon, AZ. It climbs 1,777 ft, with sections as steep as 38% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 8/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,404 – 2,418 ft · steepest grade: 38%6.2 mi

Getting there

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

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail

5.7 mi · ▲ 1,777 ft · 2 hr 47 min

Elevation 1,405–2,419 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. 0.4 miTurn right, heading NE.
  5. 0.2 miSharp left, heading N.
  6. 50 ftTurn right onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading N.
  7. 0.3 miTurn right, heading E.
  8. 0.4 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  9. 0.4 miTurn right, heading NW.
  10. 0.3 miTurn left, heading W.
  11. 50 ftSharp right, heading W.
  12. 0.1 miTurn left, heading SW.
  13. 0.4 miTurn right, heading S.
  14. 1.3 miTurn left, heading NE.
  15. 0.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail surface

65% dirt35% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:05 AMSunset 6:51 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.9 mi in (~40 min). Leave by 5:51 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:28 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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