Prospector Loop & Ranger Trail via National Trail
9.1 mi · ▲ 2,208 ft · 4 hr 8 min
Prospector Loop & Ranger Trail via National Trail is a 9.1-mile out-and-back in South Mountain Preserve near La Montana del Sur, AZ. It climbs 2,208 ft, with sections as steep as 31% 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
9.1 mi · ▲ 2,208 ft · 4 hr 8 min
Elevation 1,266–2,451 ft
Out & Back · South Mountain Preserve
Trailhead: 33.34773, -112.08434
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
- Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Phoenix South Mountain Park, heading SE.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 200 ftContinue straight onto Ranger Trail, heading SW.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Las Lomitas Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Ranger Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Bajada Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Ranger Trail, heading S.
- 1 miSharp right onto National Trail, heading NW.
- 1 miSharp left onto Prospector to National, heading SW.
- 0.1 miBear left onto Prospector Loop, heading N.
- 0.9 miTurn left onto Lost Ranch Trail, heading SE.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Bursera Trail, heading SE.
- 0.3 miReach Ranger Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 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 N.
- 1 miSharp left onto Ranger Trail, heading NE.
- 1 miContinue straight onto Bajada Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Ranger Trail, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Las Lomitas Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Ranger Trail, heading N.
- 0.4 miBear left, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Phoenix South Mountain Park, heading NE.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 50 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.0 mi in (~76 min). Leave by 5:15 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Las Lomitas Trail & Ranger Trail 2.2 mi · ▲ 165 ft
- Max Delta Trail & Ranger Trail Loop 3 mi · ▲ 251 ft
- Crosscut Viewpoint–Hau'pal Loop Trail, 3 sights 3.5 mi · ▲ 1,121 ft
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