Phoenix Mountains Preserve

#304 - Nature Trail–#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail, 4 sights

3.3 mi · ▲ 774 ft · 1 hr 29 min

#304 - Nature Trail–#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail, 4 sights is a 3.3-mile out-and-back in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near Clearview Hills, AZ. It climbs 774 ft, with sections as steep as 26% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 28/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi1,568 – 1,942 ft · steepest grade: 26%3.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 33.54459, -112.00166
Nearest town Clearview Hills, AZ

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

#304 - Nature Trail–#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail, 4 sights

3.3 mi · ▲ 774 ft · 1 hr 29 min

Elevation 1,570–1,944 ft

Out & Back · Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Trailhead: 33.54459, -112.00166

Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:06 AM · sunset 6:50 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
  2. 0.4 miBear left onto #8 - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading W.
  3. 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
  4. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
  5. 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
  6. 0.1 miContinue straight onto #304 - Nature Trail, heading SW.
  7. 0.1 miBear left, heading W.
  8. 0.1 miSharp left, heading W.
  9. 0.4 miSharp left onto #8B - Ruth Hamilton Trail, heading SW.
  10. 0.5 miBear left onto #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading E.
  11. 50 ftContinue straight onto #8B, heading E.
  12. 50 ftBear left onto #8A, heading E.
  13. 0.5 miTurn right onto #8 - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading N.
  14. 0.2 miBear right, heading NE.
  15. 0.4 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

99% dirt1% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:06 AMSunset 6:50 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~40 min). Leave by 5:50 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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