I’m preparing to hike the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim in May with a Boy Scout troop, so I’m doing a lot of walking. I hiked Sunrise trail a week ago. It’s in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. I am blessed to live near such a gem.
We started at the Ringtail Trail parking lot on 128th St., walked the 1,000 feet of vertical elevation to Sunrise peak, descended to Sunrise Access Area, then turned around and walked back to our starting point. So a total of 2,000 feet vertical elevation over the 10-mile trip taking 4.5 hours.
It’s considered “difficult” according to the trail guide. If you do it, wear good boots with stiff soles. Much of the trail is rocky, with 2- to 4-inch diameter stones underfoot (my least favorite footing).

Scottsdale subdivisions, with Phoenix far in the distance. You might recognize Camelback Mountain on the horizon: an iconic Phoenix hike.