Sunrise Mountain Loop

SUNRISE MOUNTAIN LOOP

The City of Peoria, AZ website indicates there is a Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Trail Loop.  Basically there are three loops in the system and if you do the first loop it's Beginner, if you do the first two loops it's Intermediate, and all three loops make you Advanced.  I went with the intention of completing the Advanced Trail based on the map I found on the City's website: http://www.peoriaaz.gov/content2.aspx?ID=963

Mileage: Beginner -- 1.5 mile loop,  Intermediate -- 3 mile loop.  Advanced Loop billed at 4.2 miles. (I got confused in a few places and ended up with at least an additional mile on top of that)

Elevation gain: 150' gain for the first loop, 420' feet on the second loop, and I think close to 400' again on the third loop. I ended up summiting the 3 small mtns a total of 4 times on my hike, so I think I got close to 1300' across my entire hike which took me 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Experience Needed: There's something for all levels based on the trail maps and info found on the City website.  The trail system looks pretty new as of this writing (March 13, 2010) so you do need some trail following skills as you determine which trails the park wants to block from your use vs those they want you to use.  In most places there are clear trail markers, but they may not be there when you start to question yourself.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate depending on what you get yourself into.

Parking: WestWing Elementary School (26176 N High Desert Dr, Peoria AZ 85383) provides 10 spaces in the SW area of their parking lot (this is where I parked on a Saturday afternoon, however parking may not be available during school hours).  There is also parking at WestWing Neighborhood Park at 27100 N WestWing Parkway. That parking area offers restrooms, drinking water, and access to an additional trail system.

Pets: I did not see any on my hike but according to the entrance sign they are allowed, on a leash.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Safety: The first loop trail is a wide social trail.  The second loop provides several inclines and the third loop is where any additional trail safety may come in to play. 

As you round the third loop the trail narrows and you have a clear drop-off view of the highway below (see photo to the right). If you are wary of heights, this section could induce anxiety. Personally I thought this loop was the best loop of the three but that might be as a result of fewer people and more interesting terrain.  Also-- this is a mountain biking trail so be on alert for riders sailing downhill.

People Meter:  The trail seems fairly new so it may not have high awareness yet but there was still quite a bit of foot traffic on the hike, most likely due to its close proximity to the WestWing Elementary School. I saw a group of kids and parents, a couple of teachers, a mountain biker, a lost confused hiker (similar to myself), and another family group.  The first two loops seem to be more well traveled than the third loop.

My experiences: All photos from March 13, 2010 (from my mobile phone no less)

View of the beginner hump. 

Gorgeous Spring Flowers

View from the 2nd hump

There's a lizard on the rock... What I didn't get a photo of was the swarm of bees that traveled right through me mid-way down the 2nd hump of the loop!