#304 - Nature Trail–#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail Loop, 4 sights
6.2 mi · ▲ 1,161 ft · 2 hr 39 min
#304 - Nature Trail–#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail Loop, 4 sights is a 6.2-mile loop in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near Biltmore Greens III, AZ. It climbs 1,161 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 16/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
#304 - Nature Trail–#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail Loop, 4 sights
6.2 mi · ▲ 1,161 ft · 2 hr 39 min
Elevation 1,391–1,925 ft
Loop · Phoenix Mountains Preserve
Trailhead: #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail · 33.53244, -112.01208
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 102°F / low 81° · precip 5% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:51 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading E.
- 1.1 miTurn right onto #8B, heading NE.
- 100 ftBear left onto #8A, heading NE.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto #8 - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading N.
- 100 ftBear left, heading N.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 0.4 miTurn left, heading N.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading N.
- 450 ftBear left, heading N.
- 0.4 miSharp left, heading N.
- 300 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 0.4 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.4 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 400 ftBear left onto #1A - Perl Charles Trail, heading SW.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left onto #304 - Nature Trail, heading W.
- 0.5 miSharp left onto #302 - Circumference Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miSharp left, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 350 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Trail 200A, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading W.
- 50 ftBear left, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading S.
- 0.1 miThe loop closes 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 0.5 mi in (~11 min). Leave by 6:20 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail Trailhead
- Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint–#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail, 3 sights 2.9 mi · ▲ 861 ft
- #304 - Nature Trail–#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail, 4 sights 3.2 mi · ▲ 989 ft
- #302 - Circumference Trail–#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail, 3 sights 3.3 mi · ▲ 841 ft
- #1A - Perl Charles Trail–#302 - Circumference Trail Loop, 7 sights 5.9 mi · ▲ 1,469 ft
- #220 - Dreamy Draw Nature Viewpoint–#302 - Circumference Trail Loop, 7 sights 6 mi · ▲ 1,325 ft
- #1A - Perl Charles Trail–#302 - Circumference Trail Loop, 6 sights 6.7 mi · ▲ 1,913 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Biltmore Greens III, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Biltmore Greens III, Arizona