AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint via #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail

3.6 mi · ▲ 487 ft · 1 hr 27 min

Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint via #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail is a 3.6-mile out-and-back in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near Heritage Highlands, AZ. The route reaches Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint at the turnaround, 1.7 miles in. It climbs 487 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,404 – 1,690 ft · steepest grade: 18%4.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 33.59819, -112.06683
Nearest town Heritage Highlands, AZ
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint via #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail

3.6 mi · ▲ 487 ft · 1 hr 27 min

Elevation 1,404–1,690 ft

Out & Back · Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Trailhead: 33.59819, -112.06683

Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:51 PM

Transit-accessible: stop 366 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading E.
  2. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  3. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  4. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  5. 50 ftSharp right, heading SE.
  6. 200 ftBear left, heading S.
  7. 50 ftTurn left onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading S.
  8. 0.2 miTurn left, heading E.
  9. 1.3 miTurn left, heading S.
  10. 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
  11. 50 ftReach Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  12. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  13. 0.3 miBear right, heading NE.
  14. 0.2 miBear left, heading W.
  15. 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
  16. 0.6 miTurn left, heading W.
  17. 0.1 miBear right, heading NW.
  18. 0.5 miTurn right, heading SW.
  19. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/phoenix-mountains-preserve-viewpoint-out-back-6-km-b882

Trail surface

98% dirt2% paved

Weather

Sunrise 6:05 AMSunset 6:51 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.0 mi in (~33 min). Leave by 5:59 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: stop 366 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Heritage Highlands, Arizona