#302 - Circumference Trail–#304 - Nature Trail, 3 sights
5 mi · ▲ 1,299 ft · 2 hr 19 min
#302 - Circumference Trail–#304 - Nature Trail, 3 sights is a 5-mile out-and-back in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near The Preserve, AZ. It climbs 1,299 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 17/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
#302 - Circumference Trail–#304 - Nature Trail, 3 sights
5 mi · ▲ 1,299 ft · 2 hr 19 min
Elevation 1,376–1,931 ft
Out & Back · Phoenix Mountains Preserve
Trailhead: 33.56763, -112.01297
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 99°F / low 82° · precip 2% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 6:06 AM · sunset 6:50 PM
No dogs on part of this route · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 400 ftBear left, heading S.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading S.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading E.
- 0.1 miSharp left, heading S.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading S.
- 500 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 450 ftTurn left onto #1A - Perl Charles Trail, heading S.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 0.2 miSharp left, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto #302 - Circumference Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto #304 - Nature Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftBear right, heading W.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto #302 - Circumference Trail, heading S.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading SW.
- 450 ftSharp left onto Alternate Summit Trail 300A, heading SW.
- 150 ftReach #302 - Circumference Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 150 ftSharp right, heading W.
- 400 ftBear right, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto #302 - Circumference Trail, heading SW.
- 0.5 miTurn left onto #304 - Nature Trail, heading NE.
- 0.4 miBear right, heading NE.
- 150 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 350 ftContinue straight onto #302 - Circumference Trail, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.2 miSharp right, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto #1A - Perl Charles Trail, heading NW.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading NW.
- 400 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.1 miSharp left, heading N.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
- 250 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading NE.
- 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.2 mi in (~8 min). Leave by 6:22 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:10 PM — 5 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- No dogs on part of this route
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail Loop 2 mi · ▲ 194 ft
- Rattle Saddle Trail Loop 2.3 mi · ▲ 398 ft
- #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail Loop 2.4 mi · ▲ 220 ft
- VOAZ loop Loop via #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail 2.8 mi · ▲ 824 ft
- #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail & Dreamy Draw Bikeway 3.4 mi · ▲ 304 ft
- Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint–#302 - Circumference Trail, 3 sights 4.9 mi · ▲ 1,452 ft
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