2.7 Miles

300 feet

Easy Peasy

A+++ Views

Sidewinder Trail Hike Overview

The best thing about the Sidewinder Trail Hike is the views. Be prepared to see mountains in every direction. It’s an easy trail with minimal elevation and the ability to make it longer or shorter. For this trip, I hiked a portion of the Sidewinder trail, added on the Apache Vista, and made it into a loop with the Apache Wash and Ocotillo trails.

Map & Elevation Profile

Total distance: 2.74 mi
Max elevation: 2005 ft
Min elevation: 1705 ft
Total time: 00:59:44

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!

Sidewinder Trail Hike Trail Notes

The views start right from the parking lot and get better as you head up the trail. For instance, you will see the McDowells in all their glory are to the west. All the mountains in Phoenix proper are to the south. The mountains in the Tonto National Forest are to the north and all kinds of mountains to the east. As you walk the loop you are treated to excellent mountain views all around.

This trail can be combined with many other trails to make it as long or as short as you wish. Give the map a quick look and you will find many ways to turn this hike into big or short loops. You can also pop up the Apache View trail (adds on another mile or so) and experience great views of Camelback, Piestewa, Lookout, and more.

From the East side of the loop, you can see the Ridgeback Trail and it looks like a fun trail. That is on my “to hike soon” list :).

Read a detailed trail description of the entire Sidewinder Trail here at HikeAZ.

So, is the Sidewinder Trail hike worth it?

Most definitely. The views are better from here than from the McDowells (in my opinion!).

Other hikes close by

If you are looking for something with some elevation check out the Ridgeline Trail Hike. There are other trails in the South portion of the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve from the Desert Vista Trailhead also worth checking out! If you want to hike around the McDowells, check out the Gateway Loop hike or the hike up to Bell Pass.

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...