National Trail–Ranger Trail, 3 sights
5.5 mi · ▲ 1,453 ft · 2 hr 34 min
National Trail–Ranger Trail, 3 sights is a 5.5-mile out-and-back in South Mountain Preserve near La Montana del Sur, AZ. It climbs 1,453 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 56/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
National Trail–Ranger Trail, 3 sights
5.5 mi · ▲ 1,453 ft · 2 hr 34 min
Elevation 1,471–2,411 ft
Out & Back · South Mountain Preserve
Trailhead: Ranger Trail · 33.34176, -112.08618
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 102°F / low 83° · precip 12% · wind 8 mph · sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:51 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Las Lomitas Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Ranger Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Bajada Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Ranger Trail, heading SW.
- 1 miContinue straight onto National Trail, heading NW.
- 0.9 miBear right onto Upper Gila Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear left onto National Trail, heading SE.
- 0.4 miReach Ranger Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miBear right onto Upper Gila Trail, heading E.
- 50 ftBear left onto National Trail, heading E.
- 0.9 miContinue straight onto Ranger Trail, heading W.
- 1 miContinue straight onto Bajada Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftBear left onto Ranger Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Las Lomitas Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Ranger Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 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 1.8 mi in (~71 min). Leave by 5:21 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Ranger Trail Trailhead
- Ranger Trail Loop 2.7 mi · ▲ 248 ft
- Ranger Trail Loop 2.7 mi · ▲ 248 ft
- T-Bone Trail via Las Lomitas Trail 2.9 mi · ▲ 227 ft
- Goat Hill & Ranger Trail via National Trail 3.7 mi · ▲ 981 ft
- Kiwanis Trail–Ranger Trail Loop, 3 sights 4.7 mi · ▲ 1,022 ft
- Prospector Loop & Ranger Trail via National Trail 8.6 mi · ▲ 2,179 ft
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Hikes near La Montana del Sur, Arizona