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An easy loop around the west side of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.


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Map Key

5.5

Miles

8.9

KM

Point to Point

2,297' 700 m

High

1,694' 516 m

Low

628' 191 m

Up

633' 193 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

14%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

An awesome loop hike through the west McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. This route is singletrack over well-marked rolling terrain.

Description

Leaving out of the Gateway Trail, hike the Saguaro Trail on a slight uphill to the first sign and fork in the trail. Go right and follow the Gateway Loop Trail counter-clockwise around the mountain. Continue past the Paradise Trail and Bell Pass Trail turnoffs on your right.

Head uphill and over the Gateway Saddle for spectacular views of the north valley.

Heading past the saddle, cruise down a screaming downhill to the junction with the Windgate Pass Trail. Turn right on Windgate Pass Trail. Hike rolling terrain for about a mile and you'll see the turn to the left onto the Desert Park Trail.

It's all downhill from here. You hike around the mountain and under a few bridges back to the Gateway Trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: City of Scottsdale

Shared By:

Tom Dobson

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 8 votes

#3492

Overall
  4.0 from 8 votes
5 Star
13%
4 Star
75%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

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Photos

Destination...Tom Thumb
May 15, 2015 near Fountai…, AZ
Bridge along the Desert Park Trail
Apr 12, 2015 near Fountai…, AZ
McDowell Sonoran Preserve border. From the Desert Park Trail
Apr 12, 2015 near Fountai…, AZ
Lookout Point
Apr 12, 2015 near Fountai…, AZ
Trailhead at Daybreak
Apr 12, 2015 near Fountai…, AZ
Tunnel
Apr 12, 2015 near Fountai…, AZ

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 52 days ago
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