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1.1 miles
Distance
101 ft
Climb
-75 ft
Descent
00:07:44
Avg time
26 ft
Altitude change
1,668 ft
Altitude min
1,768 ft
Altitude max
1,720 ft
Altitude start
1,745 ft
Altitude end
0.4%
Grade
-14.1%
Grade max
18.5%
Grade min
3,038 ft
Distance climb
2,631 ft
Distance down
167 ft
Distance flat
00:07:44
Avg time
Desert Tortoise Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- E-Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaPhoenix Sonoran Preserve
Phoenix, Arizona -
Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyBlue (2 votes)
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Local Popularity95 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 75 in E-Biking
- 85 in Trail Running
- 95 in Hiking
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Global Ranking
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Hiking SAC ScaleT1 Hiking
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeXC
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DirectionBoth Directions
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Climb DifficultyBlue
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Physical RatingModerate
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Trail VisibilityAlways easy to follow
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Dogs AllowedYes
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eBike Allowed
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Land OwnerCity of Phoenix
An easy going trail linking Hawksnest to Vale Vista and onto Dixie Mountain Loop for a slightly longer route then.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 5 rides
- 9 miles average
6 Months
- 125 rides
- 12 miles avg distance
All
- 970 rides
- Last: Jul 9, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
Desert Tortoise Trail Reports
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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
Trail Last Ridden
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- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
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- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
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Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months.
Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
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Trails are colored based on popularity. The more popular a trail is, the more red. Less popular trails trend towards green.
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BC Backroad Status
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Directions to desert-tortoise trailhead
(33.743330, -112.094550)
Videos
1 more »
0:36 |
561 |
Jun 3, 2019 , Phoenix
Routes with this trail
★ 4.7 • 10 miles • 1,236 ft • 99 • Loop •
A loop around the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve with a tough climb up Dixie Mountain rewarded by a fun, fast...
71 miles • 5,166 ft • 30 • Loop •
Huge route using most of the trail systems in the Northwest Valley: Sonoran North & South,...
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Nearby Trails
- Dixie Mountain Loop 1,181 ft
- Sonoran Mp Acc 1,837 ft
- Hawk's Nest 1,841 ft
- Valle Verde 4,321 ft
- Sonoran Mp Acc 5,000 ft
Phoenix Sonoran Preserve
- By todd
Trailforks & contributors - #15180 - 2,150 views
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Frequently Asked Questions About Desert Tortoise
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Where is Desert Tortoise located?
Desert Tortoise is located in Phoenix Sonoran Preserve, Phoenix, Arizona, United States. It is part of the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 33.74333, -112.09455.
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How hard is Desert Tortoise?
Desert Tortoise is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 0.4%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
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What is the elevation gain for Desert Tortoise?
Desert Tortoise has 101 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 75 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 1,668 ft to 1,768 ft.
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Is Desert Tortoise a point to point trail?
Desert Tortoise is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
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