AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Sidewinder Overlook–Rock Tank, 4 sights

4.9 mi · ▲ 118 ft · 1 hr 42 min

Sidewinder Overlook–Rock Tank, 4 sights is a 4.9-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near Sincuidados, AZ. The route passes Rock Tank before reaching Sidewinder Overlook at the turnaround, 2.5 miles in. It is mostly level, with 118 ft of elevation gain. It scores 12/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi2,408 – 2,487 ft5.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 33.77337, -111.89108
Nearest town Sincuidados, AZ
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Sidewinder Overlook–Rock Tank, 4 sights

4.9 mi · ▲ 118 ft · 1 hr 42 min

Elevation 2,409–2,486 ft

Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Trailhead: 33.77337, -111.89108

Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 98°F / low 75° · precip 2% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 6:51 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 0.3 miSharp right, heading S.
  3. 0.5 miSharp right, heading S.
  4. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SE.
  5. 0.2 miBear left onto Axle Grease, heading SE.
  6. 50 ftBear left, heading SE.
  7. 450 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  8. 450 ftSharp right, heading E.
  9. 0.1 miBear right onto Hawknest Trail, heading S.
  10. 50 ftSharp right, heading S.
  11. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  12. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Scorpion Trail, heading SW.
  13. 50 ftBear right, heading SW.
  14. 250 ftTurn left, heading W.
  15. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  16. 50 ftPass Rock Tank.
  17. 0.1 miTurn left onto Rock Tank Trail, heading SE.
  18. 0.3 miTurn right onto Latigo Trail, heading SE.
  19. 250 ftTurn left onto Sidewinder Loop 2, heading SE.
  20. 250 ftTurn left onto Sidewinder Loop 1, heading SE.
  21. 50 ftTurn right onto Sidewinder, heading SE.
  22. 50 ftBear left onto Sidewinder Loop 1, heading SE.
  23. 50 ftBear right onto K-Rock Hi Slab Drop, heading SE.
  24. 50 ftReach Sidewinder Overlook, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  25. 50 ftBear left onto Sidewinder Loop 1, heading S.
  26. 50 ftBear right onto Sidewinder, heading S.
  27. 50 ftTurn left onto Sidewinder Loop 1, heading S.
  28. 50 ftTurn right onto Sidewinder Loop 2, heading S.
  29. 250 ftTurn right onto Latigo Trail, heading SE.
  30. 250 ftTurn left onto Rock Tank Trail, heading S.
  31. 0.3 miTurn right, heading N.
  32. 0.1 miTurn left onto Scorpion Trail, heading NW.
  33. 0.1 miBear right, heading N.
  34. 0.1 miTurn left, heading NW.
  35. 200 ftContinue straight onto Hawknest Trail, heading NW.
  36. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NE.
  37. 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
  38. 0.1 miSharp left, heading NW.
  39. 450 ftTurn right, heading N.
  40. 450 ftBear right onto Axle Grease, heading N.
  41. 50 ftBear right, heading NE.
  42. 0.2 miTurn left, heading NE.
  43. 0.2 miSharp left, heading N.
  44. 0.5 miSharp left, heading SW.
  45. 0.2 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/sidewinder-overlook-rock-tank-out-back-5-sights-8-km

Trail surface

47% dirt53% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 98°F75°
Feels like88°Precip2%Wind4 mphUV8Humidity29%
Rained 0.3″ 4 days ago
Hourly temperature
100°75°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM9 PMSunset 6:51 PM
Sat 97°76°
Sun 99°80°
Mon 98°84°
Tue 99°84°
Wed 98°84° 21%
Thu 96°83° 27%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:31 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 6:51 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:16 PM.

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