Bootlegger Tank–Balanced Rock Trail, 5 sights
11.1 mi · ▲ 605 ft · 4 hr
Bootlegger Tank–Balanced Rock Trail, 5 sights is an 11.1-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near Reata Pass, AZ. The route reaches Bootlegger Tank at the turnaround, 5.5 miles in. It climbs 605 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 74/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Bootlegger Tank–Balanced Rock Trail, 5 sights
11.1 mi · ▲ 605 ft · 4 hr
Elevation 2,604–2,936 ft
Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Trailhead: 33.76115, -111.84230
Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 6:51 PM
Dogs allowed on leash · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading N.
- 50 ftBear left, heading N.
- 50 ftBear right onto Brown's Ranch Road, heading NE.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Chuckwagon Trail, heading NE.
- 1.2 miTurn right onto Powerline Road #2, heading NE.
- 0.9 miTurn left onto Balanced Rock Trail, heading E.
- 0.5 miBear right, heading NE.
- 150 ftBear left onto Granite Mtn. Loop Trail, heading N.
- 1 miTurn right onto Granite Mtn Loop, heading NE.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto Cow Poke Trail, heading SE.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Dove Valley Trail, heading E.
- 0.2 miBear right onto 136th Street Express, heading SE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Dove Valley Trail, heading SE.
- 250 ftReach Bootlegger Tank, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 300 ftContinue straight onto 136th Street Express, heading E.
- 50 ftBear left onto Dove Valley Trail, heading E.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Cow Poke Trail, heading NW.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Granite Mtn Loop, heading W.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto Granite Mtn. Loop Trail, heading W.
- 1 miBear right, heading SW.
- 200 ftBear left onto Balanced Rock Trail, heading SE.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Powerline Road #2, heading SW.
- 0.9 miTurn left onto Chuckwagon Trail, heading W.
- 1.2 miContinue straight onto Brown's Ranch Road, heading SW.
- 0.3 miBear left, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear right, heading SW.
- 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 right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:30 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 6:51 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:16 PM.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Brown's Ranch Road 2 mi · ▲ 82 ft
- Brown's Mountain Trail–Upper Ranch Trail Loop, 3 sights 2.2 mi · ▲ 81 ft
- Brown's Ranch Road 2.2 mi · ▲ 26 ft
- Brown's Ranch Road 2.4 mi · ▲ 109 ft
- Powerline Road #2 Loop 2.4 mi · ▲ 108 ft
- Brown's Ranch Road 2.5 mi · ▲ 54 ft
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