Lost Dog Wash Trail to Sunrise Peak via Sunrise Trail is a 5.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Scottsdale, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and mountain biking and is best used from September until May. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
hiking
mountain biking
walking
running
views
wild flowers
rocky
no shade
This is an out and back hike that approaches Sunrise Peak in the McDowell-Sonoran Preserve from the west via the Sunrise Peak trail which begins at the Lost Dog Wash trailhead. It's a quiet, comfortable, gradual climb through prime Sonoran Desert before taking a steep spur trail on the last 0.2 mile to the top of Sunrise Peak. The summit affords amazing 360-degree views of metro Phoenix, the Superstition Mountains and Four Peaks Wilderness.
The trail was nice, however we didn’t get too far in due to all the bees. The Palo Verde trees were blooming and the desert was one loud buzzing noise. We decided to turn around after a couple bees dive bombed my face and my dog got stung. I will come back in the fall or winter though to experience the whole trail.
Good hike but very rocky. If you don’t have hiking boots, it is tough. Dog was good on the trail, rocks didn’t seem to bother him too much.
Great view at the top of sunrise peak! First 1.5 miles are very rocky and hard on the ankles, not great at all. But the second half was fantastic. Second half of the hike up was also where you got most of the elevation gain.
This was actually my very first hike ever... It wasn’t bad at all... Suggestions: (1) Take plenty of water, (2) good hiking shoes as there are many little to medium rocks and washes in the hike’s pathway, (3) where a hat as there is little to no shade
Pretty nice trail. I was using it as a trail run. Positives is there were not many people from 8am-9:30am on a Tuesday. Great views, especially at the top. Negative- just so many loose rocks. It makes it hard to get into a rhythm. I definitely will do it again for a nice 6 mile trail run.
Cathy Romy recorded Recording - Feb 29, 04:31 PM
Beautiful spring wildflowers
I would rate this Trail a 5 but for trail surface being very loose rock. Was hard to keep footing in several places...and my dog found it difficult footing also. Make sure you wear good hiking boots. Wasn’t too steep but consistent climb to summit saddle. Beautiful views of the McDowell Mountains and Scottsdale the whole way up. Do t forget to turn around and enjoy the views!
Nice trail. Views at peak very nice. Only complaint very rocky
Easy way up with decent view
Marni Rapkin recorded Recording - Feb 16, 03:32 PM
very Rocky but super pretty. app says 5.8 but it's actually a 6.5
A lot of larger paddlestones make the hike less enjoyable to the feet for a good part of the hike. The view at the end is gorgeous though!
Delightful little hike. The view from Sunrise Peak was glorious! Worth every step.
Cathy Romy recorded Recording - Feb 08, 04:01 PM
Beautiful trail with opportunities to fork off on to other trails
