5.1 Miles

433 feet

Easy/Moderate

A+++ Views

Ridgeline Trail Hike Overview

A couple weeks back, I spied the Ridgeline Trail Hike while walking on the Sidewinder Trail and thought I need to hike that! It also starts from the Apachewash parking lot but snakes up the adjacent mountain. If looking for a little more elevation and epic mountain views, this is it! 

Map & Elevation Profile

Total distance: 5.12 mi
Max elevation: 2108 ft
Min elevation: 1675 ft
Total time: 01:34:28

Map for the Sidewinder Trail Hike

There is a map at the trailhead that you can take a photo of and you can find a pdf here.

Parking

Put in “Apache Wash trailhead” into the Google maps machine. There is a huge parking area that is free!

Ridgeline Trail Hike Trail Notes

This area is amazing! The Phoenix Sonoran Preserve delivers on the mountain views! Another bonus about the hikes in this area is that they aren’t too tough, making them a great option for those wicked hot days. 

I started on the Ocotillo trail, hit the Ridgeline Trail, and went back to the parking lot via the Sidewinder Trail. The Ridgeline Trail is where the elevation starts. As I was climbing this portion, I started to question my life choices. It was hot and this felt hard. When writing this and looking at the map and elevation stats, I was surprised this was only around 400 feet of elevation. It felt like a lot more!

At the top, there is a little side trail to an overlook. I felt tired and hot from the climb and now I regret not doing it! Next time!

The rest of this hike flat and lets you enjoy views of all the great mountains in the area ❤️.

So, is the Ridgeline Trail hike worth it?

Yes, yes, yes! All the mountain views on this hike make me want to spend all my time outdoors. I hope it does the same for you! 

Other hikes close by

Check out the map for options to make a hike that’s right for you and don’t forget to check out my description of the Sidewinder Trail Hike

Get more inspired to get outside:

PCT Trail Journal Day 37: Messenger Flats Campground to Mile 415.1

15.692762 feet up2421 feet down Mile 415.1 (the best campsite!)381.66 hours 7 minutes🌞Getting pizza delivered to the fire station👉Chatting with NOBOs is a great way to get the intel on the trailMay 18, 2023 PCT Trail Journal: Day 37 Messenger Flats Campground To Mile...

PCT Trail Journal: Day 36 Mile 440.2 to Messenger Flats Campground

10.243802 feet up699 feet down Messenger Flats Campground366.35 hours 9 minutes🌞Completing the up and ice cream trail magic👉I like not being rushed in the morningMay 17, 2023 PCT Trail Journal: Day 36 Mile 440.2 Messenger Flats Campground Day 36 on the PCT from Mile...

PCT Trail Summary: Week 5 Mile 549.0 to 49ers Saloon

PCT Trail Summary: Week 5 Mile 540.0 to 49ers Saloon Dates Hiked May 8 - May 14, 202396.012,460 feet up16,067 feet down38 Hours 21 Minutes💛Being warm again 💛Surviving the aqueduct and hiking it when it was cold(er) 💛Getting a trail family and them motivating me! 💛 So...

PCT Trail Summary Week 4: Walker Pass to Mile 549.0

PCT Trail Summary: Week  4 Walker Pass to Mile 549.0 Dates Hiked May 1 - May 7, 202397.1 19,527 feet up18,593 feet down36 Hours 04 Minutes💛The views, wildflowers, & Joshua Trees 💛Other hikers 💛Rest day in TehachapiFinally making it to Tehachapi and getting warm. I...

PCT Trail Journal Day 35: Vasquez Rocks to Mile 440.2

13.652323 feet up2172 feet down Mile 440.2356.16 hours 21 minutes🌞Coffee from the grocery store. And watching a tortoise eating salad for breakfast👉My new insoles seem pretty ok. May 16, 2023 PCT Trail Journal: Day 35 Vasquez Rocks to Mile 440.2 Day 35 on the PCT from...

PCT Trail Journal Days 33 & 34: Accidental Double Zero in Serenity Oasis & 49ers Saloon

00Serenity Oasis & 49ers Saloon342.90 minutes🌞Margaritas & chilling at the mobile 2 Foot adventures👉My feet didn't hurt at all today. Probably because I wasn't hiking. 👉Be careful when cutting insoles. You don't want to grab the wrong foot. May 14 & 15,...

PCT Trail Journal Day 32: Mile 471.4 to Serenity Oasis

16.032464 feet up3524 feet downSerenity Oasis342.96 hours 53 minutes🌞Getting to Serenity Oasis and margaritas!👉It's getting hot out! Going to have to start taking siestas during the dayMay 13, 2023 PCT Trail Journal: Day 31 Mile 471.4 to Serenity Oasis Day 31 on the...

PCT Trail Journal Day 31: Lake Hughes Road to Mile 471.4

14.872303 feet up1644 feet downMile 471.4326.2 5 hours 50 minutes🌞Late start (9:45 am), ice cream from the Green Valley Market and a long break👉Poisonous plants suckMay 12, 2023 PCT Trail Journal: Day 31 Lake Hughes Road to Mile 471.4 Mentally day 31 from Lake Hughes...

PCT Trail Journal Day 30: Bear Camp to Lake Hughes Road

19.261722 feet up4068 feet downLake Hughes Road312.07 hours 38 minutes🌞Chilling by the beautiful stream at the end of the day👉I need shorter mileage days. Today didn't feel good.May 11, 2023 PCT Trail Journal: Day 30 Bear Camp to Lake Hughes Road Let me start by...

PCT Trail Journal Day 29: Hikertown to Bear Camp

13.663937 feet up1591 feet downBear Camp (Mile 504.6)293.05 hours 59 minutes🌞Getting breakfast at Neenach market and getting up that huge hill👉Going uphill is hardMay 10, 2023  PCT Trail Journal: Day 29 Hikertown to Bear Camp On day 29 of the PCT, I slept until about...