Prospector Loop & Ranger Trail via National Trail
8.6 mi · ▲ 2,179 ft · 3 hr 57 min
Prospector Loop & Ranger Trail via National Trail is an 8.6-mile out-and-back in South Mountain Preserve near La Montana del Sur, AZ. It climbs 2,179 ft, with sections as steep as 29% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 40/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Prospector Loop & Ranger Trail via National Trail
8.6 mi · ▲ 2,179 ft · 3 hr 57 min
Elevation 1,241–2,451 ft
Out & Back · South Mountain Preserve
Trailhead: Ranger Trail · 33.34176, -112.08618
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 102°F / low 83° · precip 12% · wind 8 mph · sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:51 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Las Lomitas Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Ranger Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Bajada Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Ranger Trail, heading SW.
- 1 miSharp right onto National Trail, heading NW.
- 1 miSharp left onto Prospector to National, heading W.
- 0.1 miBear left onto Prospector Loop, heading S.
- 0.9 miTurn left onto Lost Ranch Trail, heading S.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Bursera Trail, heading SW.
- 0.3 miBear right onto CLOSED - old Pyramid Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftBear right onto Bursera Trail, heading W.
- 0.1 miReach Ranger Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.1 miBear left onto CLOSED - old Pyramid Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left onto Bursera Trail, heading S.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Lost Ranch Trail, heading E.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Prospector Loop, heading NW.
- 0.9 miBear right onto Prospector to National, heading NW.
- 0.1 miSharp right onto National Trail, heading NW.
- 1 miSharp left onto Ranger Trail, heading E.
- 1 miContinue straight onto Bajada Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Ranger Trail, heading E.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Las Lomitas Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Ranger Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 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 1.6 mi in (~65 min). Leave by 5:27 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Ranger Trail Trailhead
- Ranger Trail Loop 2.7 mi · ▲ 248 ft
- Ranger Trail Loop 2.7 mi · ▲ 248 ft
- T-Bone Trail via Las Lomitas Trail 2.9 mi · ▲ 227 ft
- Goat Hill & Ranger Trail via National Trail 3.7 mi · ▲ 981 ft
- Kiwanis Trail–Ranger Trail Loop, 3 sights 4.7 mi · ▲ 1,022 ft
- National Trail–Ranger Trail, 3 sights 5.5 mi · ▲ 1,453 ft
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