Crest Summit

CREST SUMMIT

Mine site on the Quartz Mine trail

Situated in at the southern end of the White Tank Mountains, Skyline Regional Park in Buckeye offers an enticing mix of hiking, biking and equestrian trails.  

Big Valley views from Crest Summit

The 8,700-acre park has nearly 20 miles of interconnected trails that wrap around a stronghold of mountain peaks, scoured washes and lofty ridgelines. 

Crest Summit trail is short but very steep

With trail choices that range from barrier-free interpretive strolls to difficult, vertigo-inducing climbs, there’s something for everybody in this West Valley recreation hub. 

Quartz Min trail passes through washes

While all the park trails frame outstanding vistas, there’s one edge-teetering route that skims the roof of the park and even ties in an optional summit side trip.  

Lichens color rock outcrops in Skyline Regional Park

The circuit, which uses the Quartz Mine, Lost Creek and Skyline Crest trails, wanders through the park’s east sector with a sequence of twists, dips and ascents that provide continual panoramic views. 

Challenging Skyline Crest trail traces a ridgeline

Begin on the Quartz Mine trail near the number 3 picnic ramada.  Head east (go left) follow the moderate single track through gullies and washes as it descends along stony escarpments above desert plains. 

Steep switchbacks on Skyline Crest trail

At the 1.4-mile point, the route meets the Skyline Crest junction. For this trip, continue uphill on Quartz Mine. Now steeper and more precipitous, the trail curves north, topping out near a mound of chipped white stone spilling from what appears to be a filled in prospect—the Quartz Mine. 

Trail menu at Skyline Regional Park

The trail traverses a ridge for another 1.1 miles to where it connects with the Lost Creek trail. Turn left, hike less than a half-mile and hang another left onto the Skyline Crest trail.  This leg of the circuit is a real treat. Rated difficult, the rocky, undulating path hugs a knife-edge ridgeline with steep drop offs and jaw-dropping views all around.  After a mile, a set of switch backs winds downhill to land hikers on a saddle where the optional Crest Summit trail presents an optional add-on.  

Park trails are well signed

The short, vertical side trip tacks on only 0.34-mile to the hike, but the additional 200 feet of elevation gain rolls out in aggressive, straight-up style.  The extra effort pays off with unobstructed, 360-degree vistas of the Sierra Estrella Mountains to the northeast, Gila Bend Mountains in the southwest and the Big Horn Mountain Wilderness and the Hassayampa Plain in the northwest.  

Quartz chunks line the trails

From this high-point lookout, the trail descends through a saguaro-cluttered ravine to reconnect with the Quartz Mine Trail where hikers retrace their steps to the trailhead.

LENGTH: 5.94 miles as described here

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION: 1,345 - 2,130 feet

GETTING THERE:

2600 N. Watson Road, Buckeye.

From Interstate 10 in Buckeye, take the Watson Road exit and continue 2 miles north to the park. Roads are paved.  There are restrooms, water, picnic ramadas and camping by reservation at the trailhead.

HOURS: sunrise to sunset daily

INFO & MAPS:

Skyline Regional Park

https://www.buckeyeaz.gov/community/skyline-regional-park/about-the-park