South Mountain Preserve

Gila Lookout Connector via National Trail

2.7 mi · ▲ 503 ft · 1 hr 9 min

Gila Lookout Connector via National Trail is a 2.7-mile out-and-back in South Mountain Preserve near La Montana del Sur, AZ. It climbs 503 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 50/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi2,231 – 2,622 ft · steepest grade: 20%2.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 33.33606, -112.06891
Nearest town La Montana del Sur, AZ

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Gila Lookout Connector via National Trail

2.7 mi · ▲ 503 ft · 1 hr 9 min

Elevation 2,232–2,621 ft

Out & Back · South Mountain Preserve

Trailhead: 33.33606, -112.06891

Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:51 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 150 ftSharp left onto National Trail, heading NE.
  3. 0.9 miTurn right onto Gila Lookout Connector, heading S.
  4. 0.5 miReach Gila Lookout Connector, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  5. 0.5 miTurn left onto National Trail, heading NW.
  6. 0.9 miSharp right, heading NW.
  7. 150 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

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 6:05 AMSunset 6:51 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.3 mi in (~12 min). Leave by 6:19 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:13 PM — 3 min before dark. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint

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