AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Mesquite Tree–Javelina Trail, 6 sights

10.4 mi · ▲ 1,062 ft · 4 hr

Mesquite Tree–Javelina Trail, 6 sights is a 10.4-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near Taliesin West, AZ. The route reaches Mesquite Tree at the turnaround, 5.2 miles in. It climbs 1,062 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 34/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi1,588 – 2,142 ft10.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Kovach Family Nature Trail 33.60034, -111.81074
Nearest town Taliesin West, AZ
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Mesquite Tree–Javelina Trail, 6 sights

10.4 mi · ▲ 1,062 ft · 4 hr

Elevation 1,588–2,142 ft

Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Trailhead: Kovach Family Nature Trail · 33.60034, -111.81074

Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 99°F / low 82° · precip 5% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 6:50 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Kovach Family Nature Trail, heading E.
  2. 0.1 miTurn right onto Lost Dog Wash Trail, heading NE.
  3. 2.3 miContinue straight onto Quartz Trail, heading NW.
  4. 350 ftTurn left onto Taliesin Trail, heading NW.
  5. 0.9 miSharp right onto Javelina Trail, heading W.
  6. 0.6 miReach Mesquite Tree, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  7. 0.5 miBear left, heading W.
  8. 0.6 miPass Mesquite Tree.
  9. 450 ftTurn right, heading N.
  10. 50 ftContinue straight onto Quartz Trail, heading N.
  11. 1.9 miContinue straight onto Lost Dog Wash Trail, heading NE.
  12. 0.8 miContinue straight onto Old Jeep Trail, heading E.
  13. 1.4 miBear right onto Ringtail Trail, heading S.
  14. 0.6 miTurn left onto Lost Dog Wash Trail, heading S.
  15. 0.4 miTurn left onto Kovach Family Nature Trail, heading S.
  16. 300 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/mesquite-tree-javelina-trail-out-back-6-sights-17-km

Trail surface

80% dirt19% paved1% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 99°F82°
Feels like92°Precip5%Wind3 mphUV8Humidity28%
Rained 0.1″ 4 days ago
Hourly temperature
100°80°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM9 PMSunset 6:50 PM
Sat 98°81°
Sun 100°78°
Mon 100°84°
Tue 102°86°
Wed 102°85° 24%
Thu 99°85° 27%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.1 mi in (~84 min). Leave by 5:06 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Kovach Family Nature Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Taliesin West, Arizona