Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Alternate Summit Trail 300A & Trail 1A via #302 - Circumference Trail

5.6 mi · ▲ 1,607 ft · 2 hr 40 min

Alternate Summit Trail 300A & Trail 1A via #302 - Circumference Trail is a 5.6-mile out-and-back in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near Skyline Heights, AZ. It climbs 1,607 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,273 – 1,916 ft · steepest grade: 24%6.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Trail 1A 33.54189, -112.04143
Nearest town Skyline Heights, AZ

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Alternate Summit Trail 300A & Trail 1A via #302 - Circumference Trail

5.6 mi · ▲ 1,607 ft · 2 hr 40 min

Elevation 1,274–1,915 ft

Out & Back · Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Trailhead: Trail 1A · 33.54189, -112.04143

Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 103°F / low 82° · precip 4% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:51 PM

No dogs on part of this route · Transit-accessible: stop 424 m from the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Trail 1A, heading NE.
  2. 0.7 miTurn left, heading NE.
  3. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NE.
  4. 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
  5. 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
  6. 0.2 miTurn right, heading E.
  7. 50 ftBear right onto #1A - Perl Charles Trail, heading SE.
  8. 0.6 miTurn right onto #302 - Circumference Trail, heading SE.
  9. 0.4 miBear right onto #300 - Summit Trail, heading E.
  10. 0.3 miBear right onto Alternate Summit Trail 300A, heading E.
  11. 0.3 miReach Trail 1A, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  12. 0.3 miBear left onto #300 - Summit Trail, heading N.
  13. 0.3 miBear left onto #302 - Circumference Trail, heading NE.
  14. 0.4 miTurn right, heading NW.
  15. 250 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  16. 0.6 miContinue straight onto #1A - Perl Charles Trail, heading N.
  17. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  18. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  19. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NE.
  20. 0.1 miBear right, heading NW.
  21. 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  22. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NW.
  23. 0.6 miTurn left onto Trail 1A, heading S.
  24. 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

75% dirt3% paved22% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 103°F82°
Feels like87°Precip4%Wind4 mphUV8Humidity32%
Hourly temperature
105°80°
Sunrise 6:05 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM9 PMSunset 6:51 PM
Sun 105°79°
Mon 104°93°
Tue 105°93°
Wed 103°92° 24%
Thu 105°91° 20%
Fri 98°85° 18%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.4 mi in (~11 min). Leave by 6:20 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:17 PM — 0 min before dark.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • No dogs on part of this route
  • Transit-accessible: stop 424 m from the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Trail 1A Trailhead