AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Phoenix Mountains Preserve

#8 - Quartz Ridge Trail

6.2 mi · ▲ 2,060 ft · 3 hr 6 min

#8 - Quartz Ridge Trail is a 6.2-mile out-and-back in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near Doubletree Canyon, AZ. It climbs 2,060 ft, with sections as steep as 38% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 19/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,604 – 2,418 ft · steepest grade: 38%6.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 33.55738, -111.98241
Nearest town Doubletree Canyon, AZ
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

#8 - Quartz Ridge Trail

6.2 mi · ▲ 2,060 ft · 3 hr 6 min

Elevation 1,603–2,419 ft

Out & Back · Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Trailhead: 33.55738, -111.98241

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

Transit-accessible: stop 643 m from the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
  3. 1.3 miTurn left, heading N.
  4. 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
  5. 0.1 miSharp left onto #8 - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading W.
  6. 350 ftBear left, heading SW.
  7. 0.4 miBear right, heading SW.
  8. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  9. 0.3 miTurn left, heading W.
  10. 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
  11. 50 ftBear left, heading W.
  12. 0.1 miContinue straight onto #304 - Nature Trail, heading SW.
  13. 0.2 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  14. 0.3 miBear right, heading E.
  15. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  16. 250 ftContinue straight onto #8 - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading SE.
  17. 0.1 miBear right, heading NE.
  18. 450 ftSharp left, heading NE.
  19. 100 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  20. 0.3 miBear right, heading E.
  21. 0.4 miBear left, heading NE.
  22. 400 ftSharp right, heading NE.
  23. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NE.
  24. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NW.
  25. 1.3 miTurn left, heading N.
  26. 0.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/8-quartz-ridge-trail-out-back-10-km-bb79

Trail surface

70% dirt30% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:05 AMSunset 6:51 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.9 mi in (~41 min). Leave by 5:50 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: stop 643 m from the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Doubletree Canyon, Arizona