McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Sunrise Trail

10.3 mi · ▲ 1,647 ft · 4 hr 15 min

Sunrise Trail is a 10.3-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near Taliesin West, AZ. It climbs 1,647 ft, with sections as steep as 15% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 56/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi1,700 – 2,976 ft · steepest grade: 15%10.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 33.59699, -111.80469
Nearest town Taliesin West, AZ

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Sunrise Trail

10.3 mi · ▲ 1,647 ft · 4 hr 15 min

Elevation 1,698–2,975 ft

Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Trailhead: 33.59699, -111.80469

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

Bikes allowed on the whole route · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 0.1 miSharp right onto Ringtail Trail, heading NE.
  3. 0.7 miTurn right onto Sunrise Trail, heading NE.
  4. 1.9 miTurn left onto Andrew/Kinsey Trail (Moderately Difficult), heading SE.
  5. 2.4 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  6. 2.4 miTurn right onto Sunrise Trail, heading SW.
  7. 1.9 miTurn left onto Ringtail Trail, heading SW.
  8. 0.7 miSharp left, heading W.
  9. 500 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

97% dirt3% paved

Weather

Sunrise 6:04 AMSunset 6:50 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.9 mi in (~68 min). Leave by 5:22 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Bikes allowed on the whole route
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead