Taliesin Overlook–Mesquite Tree, 5 sights
5.7 mi · ▲ 530 ft · 2 hr 10 min
Taliesin Overlook–Mesquite Tree, 5 sights is a 5.7-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near McDowell Mountain Ranch, AZ. The route passes Taliesin Overlook and Mesquite Tree. It climbs 530 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 12/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Taliesin Overlook–Mesquite Tree, 5 sights
5.7 mi · ▲ 530 ft · 2 hr 10 min
Elevation 1,568–2,102 ft
Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Trailhead: 33.62744, -111.85485
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 99°F / low 83° · precip 4% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 6:51 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 350 ftTurn right onto Mule Deer Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 200 ftSharp left onto Quartz Trail, heading NE.
- 2.1 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.
- 400 ftTurn left onto Taliesin Trail, heading NW.
- 1 miTurn right onto Javelina Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Taliesin Trail, heading W.
- 0.5 miBear right onto Javelina Trail, heading W.
- 0.5 miPass Mesquite Tree.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Quartz Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miSharp right, heading N.
- 200 ftTurn right onto Mule Deer Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 350 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 100 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 0.5 mi in (~12 min). Leave by 6:18 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Quartz Trail 1.9 mi · ▲ 109 ft
- Quartz Trail 4.2 mi · ▲ 395 ft
- Paradise Trail 4.2 mi · ▲ 360 ft
- Quartz Trail 4.3 mi · ▲ 389 ft
- Quartz Trail 4.5 mi · ▲ 411 ft
- Taliesin Overlook–Mesquite Tree, 3 sights 4.7 mi · ▲ 506 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near McDowell Mountain Ranch, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near McDowell Mountain Ranch, Arizona