AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

Pond #6–Pond #7, 5 lakes

3.9 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 18 min

Pond #6–Pond #7, 5 lakes is a 3.9-mile out-and-back in Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch near Summer Mesa, AZ. The route passes Pond #1, Pond #7 and Water Ranch Lake before reaching Pond #6 at the turnaround, 1.9 miles in. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,270 – 1,289 ft4.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Santan Vista Trail 33.38805, -111.73924
Nearest town Summer Mesa, AZ
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Pond #6–Pond #7, 5 lakes

3.9 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 18 min

Elevation 1,268–1,289 ft

Out & Back · Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

Trailhead: Santan Vista Trail · 33.38805, -111.73924

Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 6:50 PM

Transit-accessible: Southern/Norfolk stop 651 m from the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Santan Vista Trail, heading S.
  3. 50 ftContinue straight onto Eastern Canal Trail, heading SE.
  4. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Santan Vista Trail, heading S.
  5. 50 ftContinue straight onto Eastern Canal Trail, heading E.
  6. 1.2 miPass Pond #1.
  7. 100 ftTurn right, heading S.
  8. 50 ftBear right onto Rattlesnake Ridge Trail, heading S.
  9. 50 ftPass Pond #7.
  10. 450 ftPass Water Ranch Lake.
  11. 150 ftTurn left, heading W.
  12. 50 ftBear right, heading W.
  13. 150 ftTurn left, heading W.
  14. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  15. 150 ftTurn right, heading W.
  16. 50 ftSharp left, heading W.
  17. 50 ftBear right, heading W.
  18. 400 ftReach Pond #6, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  19. 450 ftBear left, heading W.
  20. 50 ftSharp right, heading W.
  21. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  22. 150 ftTurn left, heading W.
  23. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  24. 150 ftBear left, heading W.
  25. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  26. 0.1 miBear right, heading SW.
  27. 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
  28. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  29. 1 miContinue straight onto Eastern Canal Trail, heading N.
  30. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Santan Vista Trail, heading N.
  31. 50 ftContinue straight onto Eastern Canal Trail, heading N.
  32. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Santan Vista Trail, heading N.
  33. 0.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/pond-6-pond-7-out-back-6-lakes-6-km

Trail surface

47% paved11% dirt42% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:04 AMSunset 6:50 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~2 min). Leave by 6:28 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:06 PM — 9 min before dark.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Southern/Norfolk stop 651 m from the trailhead

Hikes near Summer Mesa, Arizona