South Mountain Preserve

Judith Tunnell Challenge Trail & Max Delta Trail

2.6 mi · ▲ 225 ft · 59 min

Judith Tunnell Challenge Trail & Max Delta Trail is a 2.6-mile out-and-back in South Mountain Preserve near La Montana del Sur, AZ. It is mostly level, with 225 ft of elevation gain. It scores 23/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,348 – 1,473 ft2.8 mi

Getting there

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

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Judith Tunnell Challenge Trail & Max Delta Trail

2.6 mi · ▲ 225 ft · 59 min

Elevation 1,349–1,473 ft

Out & Back · South Mountain Preserve

Trailhead: Max Delta Trail · 33.35406, -112.07412

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

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Max Delta Trail, heading SW.
  2. 0.8 miSharp left, heading S.
  3. 50 ftSharp right, heading SW.
  4. 150 ftTurn left onto Phoenix South Mountain Park, heading S.
  5. 0.1 miSharp left, heading S.
  6. 50 ftTurn left onto Las Lomitas Trail, heading E.
  7. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Judith Tunnell Challenge Trail, heading E.
  8. 0.2 miReach Max Delta Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Las Lomitas Trail, heading SW.
  10. 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
  11. 50 ftSharp right onto Phoenix South Mountain Park, heading W.
  12. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
  13. 200 ftSharp left, heading SW.
  14. 50 ftSharp right onto Max Delta Trail, heading SW.
  15. 0.8 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

13% paved11% sand76% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:05 AMSunset 6:51 PM

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

More from Max Delta Trail Trailhead