Phoenix Mountains Preserve

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

3.5 mi · ▲ 794 ft · 1 hr 34 min

Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint via #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail is a 3.5-mile out-and-back in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near The Preserve, AZ. The route reaches Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint at the turnaround, 1.7 miles in. It climbs 794 ft, with sections as steep as 28% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,388 – 1,624 ft · steepest grade: 28%4.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: To Trail 100 33.56480, -112.02914
Nearest town The Preserve, AZ

Directions

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

3.5 mi · ▲ 794 ft · 1 hr 34 min

Elevation 1,388–1,624 ft

Out & Back · Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Trailhead: To Trail 100 · 33.56480, -112.02914

Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 102°F / low 82° · precip 4% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:06 AM · sunset 6:50 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on To Trail 100, heading N.
  2. 150 ftBear left onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading NW.
  3. 0.4 miContinue straight onto Charles M. Christiansen Trail 100, heading W.
  4. 50 ftContinue straight onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading W.
  5. 0.4 miTurn left, heading NW.
  6. 150 ftBear left, heading NW.
  7. 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
  8. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  9. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  10. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  11. 0.4 miSharp left, heading SW.
  12. 0.2 miReach Phoenix Mountains Preserve Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  13. 0.2 miSharp right, heading S.
  14. 0.4 miBear left, heading E.
  15. 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  16. 0.2 miTurn left, heading E.
  17. 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  18. 0.2 miBear right, heading N.
  19. 0.4 miContinue straight onto Charles M. Christiansen Trail 100, heading E.
  20. 50 ftContinue straight onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading E.
  21. 0.4 miBear right onto To Trail 100, heading E.
  22. 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 surface

83% dirt17% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 102°F82°
Feels like86°Precip4%Wind6 mphUV8Humidity36%
Rained 0.1″ 5 days ago
Hourly temperature
105°80°
Sunrise 6:06 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM9 PMSunset 6:50 PM
Sun 104°81°
Mon 103°93°
Tue 105°93°
Wed 103°91° 22%
Thu 105°91° 17%
Fri 98°84° 22%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~39 min). Leave by 5:51 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from To Trail 100 Trailhead