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One of the best but most difficult trails in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.


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Map Key

4.4

Miles

7.1

KM

Singletrack

2,850' 869 m

High

1,774' 541 m

Low

1,120' 341 m

Up

952' 290 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

30%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Description

From the Lost Dog trailhead, take the Lost Dog Wash Trail to the first junction and take a right to get on the Sunrise Trail.

There's a small climb which leads to another junction. Take it left to stay on Sunrise and climb up the rocky trail. It's a constant climb all the way to the top of the first switchbacks from here. Keep climbing and eventually, the rocky trail will turn into hardpack. Climb up the switchbacks to get to the false summit and enjoy fantastic views.

Continue on the Sunrise trail along the mountain edge for another mile or so until you reach the Sunrise Peak Spur. From here you can turn around and go down or continue down the other side of Sunrise Trail. It's mostly hardpack with occasional rock gardens, but it is some awesomely scary downhill.

Take it down to the Sunrise Trail and either take the trail along Via Linda road back to the Lost Dog Trailhead or turn around and go back up (Ridiculous!!!)

Contacts

Land Manager: Maricopa County Parks

Shared By:

Daniel Young

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 14 votes

#10811

Overall
  3.7 from 14 votes
5 Star
21%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
7%
1 Star
7%
Trail Rankings

#275

in Arizona

#10,811

Overall
19 Views Last Month
4,970 Since Sep 4, 2013
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
7%
0%
80%
13%

Photos

McDowell Mountain | Epic climb, crowded descent on Lost Dog Wash, Old Jeep, and Sunrise | 12/29/2019
Dec 29, 2019 near Fountai…, AZ
View from the top of Sunrise trail.  136th street spur can be seen headed down the mountain
Sep 4, 2013 near Fountai…, AZ
Headed up the initial climb
Sep 4, 2013 near Fountai…, AZ
Top of the first climb
Aug 4, 2013 near Fountai…, AZ
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