Phoenix Mountains Preserve

#304 - Nature Trail Loop via #8 - Quartz Ridge Trail

3.9 mi · ▲ 383 ft · 1 hr 29 min

#304 - Nature Trail Loop via #8 - Quartz Ridge Trail is a 3.9-mile loop in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near Vista del Cerro, AZ. It climbs 383 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 23/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,480 – 1,742 ft4.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 33.56800, -111.99670
Nearest town Vista del Cerro, AZ

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

#304 - Nature Trail Loop via #8 - Quartz Ridge Trail

3.9 mi · ▲ 383 ft · 1 hr 29 min

Elevation 1,481–1,743 ft

Loop · Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Trailhead: 33.56800, -111.99670

Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:51 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 200 ftBear left, heading SW.
  3. 0.1 miTurn left, heading W.
  4. 50 ftBear right, heading W.
  5. 100 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  6. 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
  7. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  8. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  9. 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
  10. 200 ftTurn right onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading S.
  11. 0.4 miTurn left, heading SW.
  12. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  13. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
  14. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  15. 400 ftBear left onto #1A - Perl Charles Trail, heading SW.
  16. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  17. 0.1 miTurn right onto #304 - Nature Trail, heading SW.
  18. 350 ftBear left, heading S.
  19. 0.1 miSharp left, heading S.
  20. 0.3 miTurn right, heading SW.
  21. 0.1 miBear right, heading E.
  22. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  23. 200 ftContinue straight onto #8 - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading SE.
  24. 0.1 miBear right, heading NE.
  25. 450 ftSharp left, heading N.
  26. 100 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  27. 0.8 miTurn left, heading N.
  28. 0.1 miTurn left, heading NE.
  29. 0.3 miTurn right onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading N.
  30. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  31. 0.3 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

94% dirt6% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:05 AMSunset 6:51 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.5 mi in (~14 min). Leave by 6:17 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead