[hippiepunkpirate]

I'm thinking about doing a South Mountain hike tomorrow morning with the stipulation that I am at a high point where I can shoot the days first light hitting the Sierra Estrella. I was thinking Goat Hill. Hiking via the Ranger Trail would be the shorter drive from my house, but I was wondering if this TH will be open that early (6-6:30). Would a Telegraph Pass start be a better idea (even if the drive is longer)? Any other suggestions that would get me to where I want to be at sunrise?

[Nighthiker]

The usually open things up shortly after 5 am, before that to get over fence or gate a grappling hook helps. After 11 pm turn your headlamp off and don't park in the parking lot for nocturnal visits.

[Randal Schulhauser]

I'd consider the Bursera Trail accessing via the Chandler Blvd dead end => http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=16351

Plenty of view points along this trail with direct view of the Estrellas...

[Outdoor Lover]

Just to throw another idea at you. Maricopa Peak via Alta Trail. Nice views of the Estrellas from this range and trail too, from either the peak or when you hit the ridgeline. And you don't have to worry about when the park "opens" as you park on Estrella Road outside the Park with informal access to Alta Trail, ie. no gates to worry about. I know uphill junkie and juanjaimeiii just did the Peak itself last November, don't know if there's an "official route" to the Peak itself, but azdesertfather's Alta/Bajada/National Loop route is a good GPS Route to the base of it. See Alta/Bajada Loop Description for parking directions....

Or if you don't necessarily need to be "high", just take the National from the same parking spot around the west side for a pretty wide unblocked view of the range. You can continue on a get a little elevation on the Bajada that way as well and view the Estrellas down the valley between the two SM ranges....

[chumley]

Where's the sunrise photoset?

[hippiepunkpirate]

@chumley
It will come...although I doubt it will be much to write home about