Lower Ridgeline–Overlook, 4 sights
13.8 mi · ▲ 2,422 ft · 5 hr 49 min
Lower Ridgeline–Overlook, 4 sights is a 13.8-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near Taliesin West, AZ. It climbs 2,422 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 56/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Lower Ridgeline–Overlook, 4 sights
13.8 mi · ▲ 2,422 ft · 5 hr 49 min
Elevation 1,729–2,975 ft
Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Trailhead: Lost Dog Wash Trail · 33.59946, -111.81348
Weather Sep 6: sunrise 6:06 AM · sunset 6:48 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Lost Dog Wash Trail, heading NE.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Kovach Family Nature Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Lost Dog Wash Trail, heading NE.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Sunrise Trail, heading N.
- 2.3 miTurn left onto Andrew/Kinsey Trail (Moderately Difficult), heading E.
- 2.5 miSharp left onto Western Trail (Hard), heading NE.
- 200 ftBear left onto Promenade Trail (Moderate), heading E.
- 350 ftTurn left onto Overlook, heading E.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Overlook Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Overlook, heading E.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Overlook Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Overlook, heading E.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Ridgeline, heading E.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Lower Ridgeline, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear right onto Ridgeline, heading SE.
- 1.2 miReach Sunrise Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.2 miBear left onto Lower Ridgeline, heading W.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Ridgeline, heading W.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Overlook, heading W.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Overlook Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Overlook, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Overlook Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Overlook, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Promenade Trail (Moderate), heading N.
- 350 ftBear right onto Western Trail (Hard), heading NW.
- 200 ftSharp right onto Andrews-Kinsey Trail (Moderately Difficult), heading NW.
- 2.4 miTurn right onto Sunrise Trail, heading S.
- 2.3 miTurn left onto Lost Dog Wash Trail, heading SW.
- 0.1 miBear right onto Kovach Family Nature Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Lost Dog Wash Trail, heading SW.
- 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.8 mi in (~62 min). Leave by 5:25 PM for the 6:48 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Lost Dog Wash Trail Trailhead
- Anasazi Spur–Lost Dog Wash Trail Loop, 4 sights 2.6 mi · ▲ 305 ft
- Old Jeep Trail–Ringtail Trail, 3 sights 4.1 mi · ▲ 430 ft
- Sunrise Peak–Peak Spur, 3 sights 5.8 mi · ▲ 1,325 ft
- Promenade Trail (Moderate)–Sunrise Trail, 3 sights 11.5 mi · ▲ 1,742 ft
- Very Large Cactus–Levee trail, 4 sights 12.2 mi · ▲ 1,230 ft
- Lower Sonoran Trail–Sunrise Trail, 3 sights 15.1 mi · ▲ 3,260 ft
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