Max Delta Trail–Prospector Loop, 3 sights
10.7 mi · ▲ 2,391 ft · 4 hr 46 min
Max Delta Trail–Prospector Loop, 3 sights is a 10.7-mile out-and-back in South Mountain Preserve near La Montana del Sur, AZ. It climbs 2,391 ft, with sections as steep as 30% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 37/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Max Delta Trail–Prospector Loop, 3 sights
10.7 mi · ▲ 2,391 ft · 4 hr 46 min
Elevation 1,266–2,451 ft
Out & Back · South Mountain Preserve
Trailhead: Max Delta Trail · 33.35406, -112.07412
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 on Max Delta Trail, heading SW.
- 0.8 miSharp left, heading S.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading SW.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Phoenix South Mountain Park, heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
- 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 SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Ranger Trail, heading SW.
- 1 miSharp right onto National Trail, heading SW.
- 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 S.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Bursera Trail, heading S.
- 0.3 miReach Max Delta Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Lost Ranch Trail, heading SW.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Prospector Loop, heading NW.
- 0.9 miBear right onto Prospector to National, heading N.
- 0.1 miSharp right onto National Trail, heading W.
- 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 N.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Ranger Trail, heading N.
- 0.4 miBear left, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Phoenix South Mountain Park, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
- 150 ftSharp left, heading NE.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Max Delta Trail, heading NE.
- 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.5 mi in (~15 min). Leave by 6:17 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Max Delta Trail Trailhead
- Las Lomitas Trail 1.9 mi · ▲ 111 ft
- Las Lomitas Trail 2.2 mi · ▲ 115 ft
- Max Delta Trail 2.3 mi · ▲ 141 ft
- Las Lomitas Trail 2.5 mi · ▲ 223 ft
- Judith Tunnell Challenge Trail & Max Delta Trail 2.6 mi · ▲ 225 ft
- Las Lomitas Trail 2.8 mi · ▲ 197 ft
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