Hike to Quartz Peak

Getting here is an adventure in itself. You will definitely need a vehicle with a higher-than-average clearance and 4-wheel drive. 

From Phoenix take the I-10 west to exit 126. Drive South on Estrella Parkway until you intersect with Rainbow Valley Road. Drive 9.3 miles and then turn left onto Riggs Road. Process on Riggs for 3.9 miles and turn right on Bullard Avenue. Take an immediate left onto a dirt service road that parallels the phone lines. Follow the road for 5.3 miles. Turn right at the T intersection where a sign points towards trail. Continue for another 2 miles and turn left at the second trail sign. Drive another 1.9 miles to the trail head where you will find parking and a restroom. 

From there, this trail leads to the summit of Quartz Peak (4,056ft) which is part of the Sierra Estrella Wilderness (1,550 ft base). At the top you will be greeted by 360 degree views. To the South is Seven Mile Mountain and desert plains. To the North east is metropolitan Phoenix. The best part is the giant quartz boulders sitting at the top.

The hike itself is 5.6 miles out and back. The trail is easy to follow for the first half. The second half requires some scrambling and searching for cairns. The actual trail ends a 1/4 mile before the peak, so you will have to scramble your way up the boulders to get to the top. Along the hike you can see the white quartz rocks at the top as they glisten in the sun. 

I would suggest this trail for experienced hikers and scramblers who are well conditioned. I finished the hike in roughly 4 hours but spent about half an hour at the peak.

Once you get to the top lie down on the quartz rocks which are nice and cool in the Phoenix sun!

Oh and watch for Rattlesnakes, this is considered wilderness!