Phoenix Mountains Preserve

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Viewpoint–Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint, 3 viewpoints

8.1 mi · ▲ 868 ft · 3 hr 8 min

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Viewpoint–Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint, 3 viewpoints is an 8.1-mile out-and-back in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near Vista del Cerro, AZ. The route passes #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Viewpoint before reaching Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint at the turnaround, 4.1 miles in. It climbs 868 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,391 – 1,621 ft9.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 33.56815, -111.99987
Nearest town Vista del Cerro, AZ

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Viewpoint–Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint, 3 viewpoints

8.1 mi · ▲ 868 ft · 3 hr 8 min

Elevation 1,390–1,619 ft

Out & Back · Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Trailhead: 33.56815, -111.99987

Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 102°F / low 82° · precip 4% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 6:06 AM · sunset 6:50 PM

Transit-accessible: stop 158 m from the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 50 ftBear right, heading SW.
  3. 0.1 miBear right, heading W.
  4. 200 ftBear left, heading NW.
  5. 0.8 miTurn left, heading W.
  6. 0.3 miBear right, heading W.
  7. 0.2 miBear right onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading SW.
  8. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  9. 200 ftBear right, heading W.
  10. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  11. 0.3 miBear right, heading W.
  12. 1 miTurn left, heading NE.
  13. 0.6 miPass #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Viewpoint.
  14. 150 ftTurn right, heading W.
  15. 0.7 miTurn right, heading N.
  16. 350 ftPass Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint.
  17. 350 ftTurn right, heading W.
  18. 50 ftReach #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  19. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  20. 1.4 miBear left, heading SW.
  21. 0.5 miBear left, heading E.
  22. 0.8 miTurn right, heading E.
  23. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  24. 100 ftBear left, heading E.
  25. 250 ftBear left, heading E.
  26. 0.2 miBear left, heading SE.
  27. 0.3 miTurn right, heading SW.
  28. 0.8 miBear right, heading E.
  29. 250 ftBear left, heading E.
  30. 0.1 miBear left, heading NE.
  31. 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 surface

100% dirt

Weather

OvercastTemperature 102°F82°
Feels like85°Precip4%Wind3 mphUV8Humidity33%
Rained 0.2″ 5 days ago
Hourly temperature
105°80°
Sunrise 6:06 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM9 PMSunset 6:50 PM
Sun 104°82°
Mon 103°93°
Tue 104°93°
Wed 102°91° 24%
Thu 104°90° 20%
Fri 98°84° 19%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.1 mi in (~26 min). Leave by 6:04 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: stop 158 m from the trailhead

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