Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch
Pond #5–Pond #2, 7 lakes
5.3 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 46 min
Pond #5–Pond #2, 7 lakes is a 5.3-mile out-and-back in Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch near Higley, AZ. The route passes Crossroads Park Lake, Pond #3, Pond #2 and 3 more before reaching Pond #1 at the turnaround, 2.6 miles in. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Pond #5–Pond #2, 7 lakes
5.3 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 46 min
Elevation 1,264–1,283 ft
Out & Back · Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch
Trailhead: 33.32846, -111.74432
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 100°F / low 85° · precip 6% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 6:50 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 50 ftPass Crossroads Park Lake.
- 200 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 1.4 miBear left, heading N.
- 250 ftPass Pond #3.
- 50 ftPass Pond #2.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 350 ftPass Pond #4.
- 100 ftTurn right onto Tiger Moth Territory, heading NW.
- 0.2 miPass Pond #7.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 100 ftPass Pond #1.
- 150 ftBear right, heading N.
- 250 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 100 ftReach Pond #5, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 300 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading S.
- 450 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 300 ftBear right, heading SE.
- 1.4 miTurn left, heading S.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.5 mi in (~61 min). Leave by 5:29 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Pond #2–Pond #3, 3 lakes 4.6 mi · ▲ 0 ft
- Crossroads Park Lake & Eastern Canal Trail 6.6 mi · ▲ 0 ft
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