#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail–#8A, 3 sights
4.1 mi · ▲ 645 ft · 1 hr 41 min
#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail–#8A, 3 sights is a 4.1-mile out-and-back in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near Vista del Cerro, AZ. It climbs 645 ft, with sections as steep as 23% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 26/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail–#8A, 3 sights
4.1 mi · ▲ 645 ft · 1 hr 41 min
Elevation 1,494–1,944 ft
Out & Back · Phoenix Mountains Preserve
Trailhead: 33.56837, -111.99811
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 102°F / low 82° · precip 4% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 6:06 AM · sunset 6:50 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear right, heading SW.
- 100 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
- 250 ftTurn left onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading SW.
- 150 ftSharp right, heading SW.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading S.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading S.
- 150 ftBear right onto #8 - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading S.
- 100 ftTurn left onto #8A, heading S.
- 0.5 miBear right onto #8B, heading SE.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear right onto #8B - Ruth Hamilton Trail, heading S.
- 0.5 miSharp right onto #304 - Nature Trail, heading W.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn left onto #1A - Perl Charles Trail, heading NW.
- 0.3 miBear right, heading N.
- 400 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 200 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading N.
- 50 ftBear right, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
- 100 ftBear left, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 450 ftTurn left, 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 2.0 mi in (~54 min). Leave by 5:36 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Viewpoint & #8 - Quartz Ridge Trail Loop via #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail 1.1 mi · ▲ 54 ft
- VOAZ loop via #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail 3.3 mi · ▲ 287 ft
- #302 - Circumference Trail via #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail 3.3 mi · ▲ 452 ft
- #220 - Dreamy Draw Nature Trail Loop 3.4 mi · ▲ 449 ft
- #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail Loop 3.6 mi · ▲ 222 ft
- Dreamy Draw Bikeway 3.7 mi · ▲ 163 ft
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