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SIDEWINDER TRAIL
Phoenix Sonoran Preserve, North
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| Sidewinder Trail |
The newest additions to the trails of this Phoenix
recreation area are an eclectic collection of wide, shared-use tracks, slim
footpaths and desert mountain vista points wandering among an archipelago of
low-slung peaks. Located in a
separate stretch of Sonoran desert north of the preserve's established southern
maze of trails around Union Peak, the new routes add 21.4 miles of local hiking
options. The paths are easy-to-moderate, interconnected and all are marked with
excellent signage that includes location, elevation, mileage, GPS coordinates
and QR codes for downloading maps.
At just under 7 miles, aptly named Sidewinder Trail is the longest route
in the system. Its serpentine course--cut on the edge of rocky slopes--serves
as a backbone connector for 6 other trails. Although the grades are not too
tough, this trail’s snake in the grass is its constant ups-and-downs, which
makes the hike more strenuous that it might appear.
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| High point of the trail |
LENGTH: 6.98
miles one way
RATING:
moderately difficult
ELEVATION: 1737' - 2000'
HOURS: 6 a.m. to sunset or 7 p.m. whichever comes first
GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, travel north on I17 to Carefree Hwy
(AZ74). Turn right (east) and
continue to the stoplight at 7th Ave. Park in the dirt lot on the right (south) side of the
road. No facilities at this
trailhead. The Apache Wash
trailhead on Sonoran Desert Blvd, which opened on Nov. 9, 2013, is the
southern access point.
INFO: City of Phoenix Parks & Recreation
MORE PHOTOS:
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