The Sunrise Trail stretches 4.7 miles from the Lost Dog Wash Trailhead (west) to the Sunrise Trailhead (east) in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This popular and challenging trail leads through diversely vegetated bajadas into the rugged highlands. Short spurs branch to Sunrise Peak (3,069’), one of the preserve's only summits with maintained access. Connections with the Ringtail, Lost Dog Wash and Anasazi trails offer additional routing options through the lower desert.

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is located in an upland that sees slightly higher rainfall than surrounding areas

Bajadas form as loose rock and soil are carried down from the mountains and pile up at their base

Buckhorn cholla closely resembles staghorn cholla, but only buckhorn is found in the Preserve

Incredible biodiversity is on display along the Sunrise Trail

Camelback Mountain from the Sunrise Trail (2,704')

Ocotillo will sprout leaves within 48 hours of a rain

The Sunrise Trail follows a high, arcing ridge up to the summit

Cacti fruits are edible, none are poisonous, but not all are palatable

A large saguaro cactus stands between two large ocotillo plants

Mistletoe has no roots; instead, extensions called holdfasts grip the host tree

Ocotillo stalks were used by Hohokam Indians for making tools and weapons

Sunrise Peak (3,069')

The Sunrise Trail climbs over 1,100' in just 1.9 miles from the Sunrise Trailhead to Sunrise Peak

The Sunrise Trail affords sweeping views of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve

A Palo Verde tree grows out of black basalt, a volcanic rock which is ubiquitous in the preserve

The Lost Dog Wash approach to Sunrise Peak is longer but milder than the eastern approach