Bursera Canyon–Gila Trail, 3 sights
9.5 mi · ▲ 1,319 ft · 3 hr 50 min
Bursera Canyon–Gila Trail, 3 sights is a 9.5-mile out-and-back in South Mountain Preserve near Laveen, AZ. It climbs 1,319 ft, with sections as steep as 26% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 24/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Bursera Canyon–Gila Trail, 3 sights
9.5 mi · ▲ 1,319 ft · 3 hr 50 min
Elevation 1,126–1,726 ft
Out & Back · South Mountain Preserve
Trailhead: National Trail · 33.33031, -112.14415
Weather Sep 6: sunrise 6:07 AM · sunset 6:49 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on National Trail, heading S.
- 2.1 miTurn right onto Gila Trail, heading SW.
- 0.9 miTurn right onto Bursera Trail, heading NE.
- 0.8 miTurn right onto Bursera Canyon, heading SE.
- 0.3 miSharp right onto Shaughnessey Connector, heading S.
- 0.7 miReach Gila Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.7 miSharp left onto Bursera Canyon, heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Bursera Trail, heading SW.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto Gila Trail, heading W.
- 0.9 miTurn left onto National Trail, heading N.
- 2 miArrive 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 1.5 mi in (~38 min). Leave by 5:51 PM for the 6:49 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from National Trail Trailhead
- West Alta Loop via Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail 3.3 mi · ▲ 232 ft
- National Trail 4.2 mi · ▲ 220 ft
- National Trail 5.6 mi · ▲ 501 ft
- Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail 7.4 mi · ▲ 297 ft
- National Trail 7.8 mi · ▲ 1,199 ft
- Alta to Hau'pal Connector–Alta-Bajada Connector Loop, 4 sights 8.1 mi · ▲ 1,594 ft
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