Echo Canyon Recreation Area

The Praying Monk via Cholla Trail

4.2 mi · ▲ 2,556 ft · 2 hr 41 min

The Praying Monk via Cholla Trail is a 4.2-mile out-and-back in Echo Canyon Recreation Area near Cinco Soles, AZ. The route reaches The Praying Monk at the turnaround, 2.1 miles in. It climbs 2,556 ft, with sections as steep as 44% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,362 – 2,697 ft · steepest grade: 44%4.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Cholla Trail Spur 33.51137, -111.94354
Nearest town Cinco Soles, AZ

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

The Praying Monk via Cholla Trail

4.2 mi · ▲ 2,556 ft · 2 hr 41 min

Elevation 1,363–2,698 ft

Out & Back · Echo Canyon Recreation Area

Trailhead: Cholla Trail Spur · 33.51137, -111.94354

Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 101°F / low 81° · precip 5% · wind 9 mph · sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:50 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Cholla Trail Spur, heading W.
  2. 0.3 miTurn left onto Echo Canyon Trail, heading SE.
  3. 1.9 miReach The Praying Monk, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  4. 1.9 miTurn right onto Cholla Trail, heading N.
  5. 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 surface

94% dirt3% paved2% gravel1% boardwalk

Weather

OvercastTemperature 101°F81°
Feels like89°Precip5%Wind9 mphUV8Humidity30%
Rained 0.1″ 4 days ago
Hourly temperature
105°80°
Sunrise 6:05 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM9 PMSunset 6:50 PM
Sat 102°83°
Sun 104°80°
Mon 103°93°
Tue 105°93°
Wed 103°90° 25%
Thu 105°88° 20%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.0 mi in (~49 min). Leave by 5:40 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Cholla Trail Spur Trailhead