South Mountain Preserve

Crosscut Viewpoint–Alta to Hau'pal Connector, 5 sights

12.6 mi · ▲ 3,390 ft · 5 hr 54 min

Crosscut Viewpoint–Alta to Hau'pal Connector, 5 sights is a 12.6-mile out-and-back in South Mountain Preserve near La Montana del Sur, AZ. The route reaches Crosscut Viewpoint. It climbs 3,390 ft, with sections as steep as 33% grade. It scores 40/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi1,329 – 2,457 ft · steepest grade: 33%13.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Max Delta Trail 33.35406, -112.07412
Nearest town La Montana del Sur, AZ

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Crosscut Viewpoint–Alta to Hau'pal Connector, 5 sights

12.6 mi · ▲ 3,390 ft · 5 hr 54 min

Elevation 1,329–2,458 ft

Out & Back · South Mountain Preserve

Trailhead: Max Delta Trail · 33.35406, -112.07412

Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 102°F / low 83° · precip 11% · wind 8 mph · sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:51 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Max Delta Trail, heading SW.
  2. 0.8 miBear right, heading SW.
  3. 0.2 miBear left, heading W.
  4. 0.2 miBear left onto Crosscut Trail, heading W.
  5. 0.2 miPass Crosscut Viewpoint.
  6. 150 ftContinue straight onto Hau'pal Loop Trail, heading SW.
  7. 0.9 miBear left onto Alta to Hau'pal Connector, heading W.
  8. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Alta, heading SW.
  9. 50 ftBear left onto Alta to Hau'pal Connector, heading SW.
  10. 150 ftBear right onto Alta, heading SW.
  11. 3 miSharp right onto Ma-Ha-Tuak Connector, heading NW.
  12. 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  13. 50 ftContinue straight onto West Alta, heading NW.
  14. 50 ftBear left onto National Trail, heading NW.
  15. 50 ftBear left onto West Alta, heading NW.
  16. 0.6 miReach Crosscut Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  17. 0.6 miBear right onto National Trail, heading NE.
  18. 50 ftBear right onto West Alta, heading NE.
  19. 50 ftTurn right onto Ma-Ha-Tuak Connector, heading NE.
  20. 50 ftSharp left onto Alta, heading NE.
  21. 3 miBear left onto Alta to Hau'pal Connector, heading NE.
  22. 150 ftBear right onto Alta, heading E.
  23. 50 ftContinue straight onto Alta to Hau'pal Connector, heading NE.
  24. 0.3 miBear right onto Hau'pal Loop Trail, heading NE.
  25. 0.9 miContinue straight onto Crosscut Trail, heading NE.
  26. 0.2 miBear right, heading NW.
  27. 0.2 miBear right, heading NE.
  28. 50 ftContinue straight onto Max Delta Trail, heading NE.
  29. 0.9 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

48% dirt52% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 102°F83°
Feels like95°Precip11%Wind8 mphUV8Humidity24%
Rained 0.1″ 5 days ago
Hourly temperature
105°80°
Sunrise 6:05 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM9 PMSunset 6:51 PM
Sat 100°82°
Sun 102°81°
Mon 103°86°
Tue 105°89°
Wed 104°88° 23%
Thu 101°85° 28%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.5 mi in (~14 min). Leave by 6:17 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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