Quartz Mine Trail - Skyline RP, AZ

Quartz Mine Trail begins immediately behind the covered picnic table on the south side of the main parking lot. With an immediate left, the trail gently rises 30 ft to a low saddle. Watson Overlook is the junction at the saddle.


Heading down is Disney lush flora typical of the area. Guestimating most-to-least: creosote, brittlebush, mesquite, Paloverde, wolfberry, at least two varieties of cholla, barrel cactus, a few saguaros, and Apache hedgehog.

Tread is consistently three feet wide, with gentle grades. Soon, you see the entrance hut, a reassurance of where you are on planet earth. Just over a half-mile in, you pass the Parking Lot Connector Trail junction. The next half-mile takes you east. The notable views are the end view of the Sierra Estrella Range to the southeast, and Javelina Summit is east-northeast aka Beacon 2212 on topo.

Heading north, Javelina Summit looks larger than life, semi-independent at this southern end of the White Tank Mountains. Rippled ravines leading up to it are covered in flora that must have been what the Phoenix Preserves resembled before the human invasion. Skyline Crest Trail junction is on a right turn at 1.5 miles, stay right. Tortuga Trail junction comes quick at 1.6 miles, continue left.

The final mile north is a relaxed stroll up the side of four mini-cattywampus ridges to Lost Creek Trail. One or two paloverdes canopying over the trail offer nice photo opportunities.

Synopsis
Quartz Mine Trail hits a lot of positives with a near-effortless tread through continuously changing views.

Check out the Official Route and Triplogs.

Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.

2021-08-31 joebartels