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SUNRISE MOUNTAIN TRAIL
City of Peoria
 |
| Looking east from Sunrise Mountain |
Who knew that a suburban
trail toggled to a kiddie playground could offer a respectable hike?
Sunrise Mountain Trail does
just that with a three-tiered system of loops wrapping around a chain
of peaks jutting above a sea of residential communities in Peoria.
The trail begins at WestWing Park where colorful swings and
slides are complemented with restrooms, drinking water and plenty of
parking. 
One of the beautiful things about this system is that it's
set up with both easy and difficult options
Although the first tier is
rated easy, some climbing is required to reach the half-mile point
where the first of several junction posts points the way for a
moderately-challenging summit route or an easier slope-clinging
circuit. 
The route graduates to moderate-rated tier two with a series
of ups-and-downs among granite outcroppings and breezy stands of palo
verde trees. The roller coaster style trail never stays flat for
long, wobbling between highpoint vistas and low slung saddles. After
a steep descent off a cactus speckled ridge, tier three takes off on
a difficult -rated swing around the flanks of the mountain's eastern most
knob. An optional side trail makes the hike's final ascent to a
1,840-foot stub hovering over a landscape of freeways, subdivisions
and distant mountain views.
LENGTH: 4.6-miles
out-and-back including access trail
RATING: easy-difficult
ELEVATION: 1,270' -1,840'
GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, go north on Interstate 17 to Loop
303 exit 221. Turn left (west) and continue 7 miles to Lake Pleasant
Parkway exit 131, turn left (south) and go 2.3 miles to WestWing
Parkway, turn left and go 1 mile to WestWing Park on the right.
Trailhead is accessed via a 0.1-mile dirt road that leaves from the
far east end of the parking lot. A large boulder plaque on a crest
near WestWing School marks the start point.
INFO & MAPS:
City of Peoria
