Taliesin Overlook–Mesquite Tree, 3 sights
4.7 mi · ▲ 506 ft · 1 hr 49 min
Taliesin Overlook–Mesquite Tree, 3 sights is a 4.7-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near McDowell Mountain Ranch, AZ. The route passes Mesquite Tree before reaching Taliesin Overlook at the turnaround, 2.4 miles in. It climbs 506 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 19/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Taliesin Overlook–Mesquite Tree, 3 sights
4.7 mi · ▲ 506 ft · 1 hr 49 min
Elevation 1,590–2,102 ft
Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Trailhead: Javelina Trail · 33.62558, -111.85367
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 99°F / low 83° · precip 4% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 6:51 PM
Bikes allowed on the whole route · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Javelina Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftPass Mesquite Tree.
- 300 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Quartz Trail, heading NE.
- 1.9 miContinue straight onto Lost Dog Wash Trail, heading SE.
- 0.4 miReach Taliesin Overlook, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Quartz Trail, heading NW.
- 1.9 miTurn left onto Javelina Trail, heading W.
- 250 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 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.
Good to know
- Bikes allowed on the whole route
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Javelina Trail Trailhead
- Quartz Trail 1.9 mi · ▲ 109 ft
- Paradise Trail 4.2 mi · ▲ 360 ft
- Quartz Trail 4.5 mi · ▲ 411 ft
- Mesquite Tree–Javelina Trail, 3 sights 4.8 mi · ▲ 411 ft
- Taliesin Overlook–Mesquite Tree, 5 sights 5.7 mi · ▲ 530 ft
- Mesquite Tree–Gateway Saddle, 5 sights 7.4 mi · ▲ 943 ft
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Hikes near McDowell Mountain Ranch, Arizona