Quartz Trail Overview
Quartz Trail is a classic Scottsdale hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, known for gleaming quartz outcrops, saguaro covered slopes, and wide views of the McDowell Mountains and city skyline. You can start from Lost Dog Wash Trailhead or the Quartz Trailhead and link easy singletrack with a short, steep spur to the main quartz formation near Taliesin Overlook. The route is well signed and easy to tailor as a short out and back or a longer loop, but footing is rocky and there is little shade, so start early and bring plenty of water.
Getting to Quartz Trail
There are several trailheads that connect to Quartz Trail. We started from Lost Dog Wash Trailhead in Scottsdale and followed the AllTrails route from Lost Dog Wash Trail to Quartz Trail. The parking lot is large because many trails start here.
Access options:
- Lost Dog Wash Trailhead – McDowell Sonoran Conservancy info and maps
- Lost Dog Wash Trailhead – Google Maps
- 104th St and Bell Rd Trailhead – Levee Trail to Paradise Trail to Quartz Trail
- Quartz Trailhead – Google Maps
Note on directions: the current AllTrails link for Quartz Trail does not point cleanly to the Quartz Trailhead. Use Google Maps to navigate to the Quartz Trailhead, then follow AllTrails for the route. Or start from Lost Dog Wash like we did.
Quick Stats
Length:
7 miles
Route Type:
Out and back
Elevation Gain:
1,163 ft
Vaulted Toilets:
Yes
Hike Quartz Trail
Like most routes in the McDowells, the trail is well maintained, signed, and easy to follow. Expect rough granite underfoot that makes footing uneven. Watch your step to avoid twisting an ankle or bruising the bottoms of your feet.
From Lost Dog Wash Trailhead, the opening stretch can feel busy. After about 0.2 miles on Lost Dog Wash Trail, take the signed connector toward Sunrise Trail and stay left. At the next junction for Ring Trail, follow signs to stay on Lost Dog. This area shows off classic Sonoran Desert scenery with saguaros, cholla, palo verde, ocotillo, and wide views.
Continue to the junction with Old Jeep Trail and stay left. In about two miles from the start you will reach Taliesin Overlook, a great viewpoint. From there go another 0.4 miles, much of it downhill on large granite slabs, to the junction with Quartz Trail. Turning left leads to the Quartz Trailhead on 102nd Street. We turned right on Quartz Trail and headed north about 0.4 miles to the steep spur up to the quartz outcrop. The spur is short and very steep on loose rock. Views from the top include the Phoenix metro, Camelback Mountain, and Piestewa Peak in the distance.
At the quartz you will see a sun faded sign asking hikers to stay off the quartz and on the trail. Please follow the sign and use the paths on either side of the quartz slab for photos.
After the quartz outcrop, Quartz Trail wraps around the mountain toward a wash. The signed trail effectively ends in the wash. We turned around here and retraced our steps back to the car.
More Hikes in Phoenix
Quartz Trail is a great taste of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, with quartz outcrops, city views, and classic desert scenery. If you want more options around the valley—from quick climbs to full day adventures—check out our guide to hikes near Phoenix for routes, tips, parking info, and the best time to go.
