Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Piestewa Peak–#1A - Perl Charles Trail, 8 sights

7.3 mi · ▲ 2,692 ft · 3 hr 47 min

Piestewa Peak–#1A - Perl Charles Trail, 8 sights is a 7.3-mile out-and-back in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near Biltmore Greens III, AZ. The route reaches Piestewa Peak. It climbs 2,692 ft, with sections as steep as 31% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 9/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,391 – 2,589 ft · steepest grade: 31%8.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail 33.53244, -112.01208
Nearest town Biltmore Greens III, AZ

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Piestewa Peak–#1A - Perl Charles Trail, 8 sights

7.3 mi · ▲ 2,692 ft · 3 hr 47 min

Elevation 1,391–2,588 ft

Out & Back · Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Trailhead: #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail · 33.53244, -112.01208

Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:06 AM · sunset 6:50 PM

No dogs on part of this route · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading E.
  2. 0.2 miTurn left onto Trail 200A, heading N.
  3. 0.1 miSharp right, heading N.
  4. 0.2 miTurn left, heading NW.
  5. 0.2 miBear right, heading SW.
  6. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  7. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NW.
  8. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NE.
  9. 350 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  10. 50 ftContinue straight onto #302 - Circumference Trail, heading SW.
  11. 0.3 miBear left, heading S.
  12. 0.2 miBear right onto #300 - Summit Trail, heading W.
  13. 0.9 miReach Piestewa Peak, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  14. 0.6 miBear left onto #302 - Circumference Trail, heading SW.
  15. 0.4 miTurn right, heading W.
  16. 0.5 miContinue straight onto #1A - Perl Charles Trail, heading N.
  17. 50 ftTurn right onto #302 - Circumference Trail, heading NE.
  18. 1 miTurn right, heading SW.
  19. 0.2 miContinue straight onto #304 - Nature Trail, heading SE.
  20. 50 ftBear right, heading SE.
  21. 450 ftSharp left, heading E.
  22. 0.4 miSharp left onto #8B - Ruth Hamilton Trail, heading E.
  23. 0.5 miBear left onto #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail, heading SW.
  24. 1 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

96% dirt4% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:06 AMSunset 6:50 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.5 mi in (~19 min). Leave by 6:10 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • No dogs on part of this route
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail Trailhead