Sunrise Trail - 9.4 Miles Round-Trip

The Sunrise Trail stretches 4.7 miles from the Lost Dog Wash Trailhead (west) to the Sunrise Trailhead (east) in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

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This popular and challenging trail leads through diversely vegetated bajadas into the rugged highlands. Short spurs branch to Sunrise Peak (3,069’), one of the preserve's only summits with maintained access.

Much of the Sonoran Preserve is located in the Arizona Upland transition zone, an ecotone with higher rainfall (up to 12.5” per year) than other nearby parks such as South Mountain, Camelback Mountain and Squaw Peak (7-9" per year).

These parks are located in the Lower Colorado River Valley, the largest and most arid region of the Sonoran Desert. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is accordingly and comparatively lush, with over 45 miles of well-maintained trails to explore one of the most bio-diverse desert regions on earth:

The Sunrise Trail climbs steadily through open cholla and cacti gardens in the lower bajada. Conditions are variously steep and rocky past the Ringtail Trail (.8 miles : 1,905’) to the 136^th Street access trail on a high, divisive ridge (1.9 miles : 2,539’).

Here the Sunrise Trail moderates on a long, arcing ridge to the West Spur for Sunrise Peak (2.7 miles : 2,833’). Magnificent views on this stretch include the 4 Peaks Wilderness, Superstition Wilderness and high peaks of the McDowell range.

The west spur climbs 236’ in just .2 miles to the summit (3,069'), a worthwhile detour.

The main trail continues to the East Spur for Sunrise Peak (2.9 miles : 2,830’), where it begins a steep, rugged descent into a residential canyon. Grades moderate past 3.6 miles to the Sunrise Trailhead on Via Linda (4.7 miles : 1,935').

Enjoy great views and diverse vegetation on this fast, final descent.  Retrace your steps on a challenging 913', 1.65 mile climb back to the trail's highest point at the East Spur for Sunrise Peak.