East End–McDowell Sonoran Preserve Viewpoint, 5 sights
3.4 mi · ▲ 1,460 ft · 1 hr 52 min
East End–McDowell Sonoran Preserve Viewpoint, 5 sights is a 3.4-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near Troon, AZ. The route passes Tom's Thumb Viewpoint and McDowell Sonoran Preserve Viewpoint before reaching East End at the turnaround, 1.7 miles in. It climbs 1,460 ft, with sections as steep as 45% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 66/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
East End–McDowell Sonoran Preserve Viewpoint, 5 sights
3.4 mi · ▲ 1,460 ft · 1 hr 52 min
Elevation 2,733–4,059 ft
Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Trailhead: Caballo Trail · 33.69677, -111.80065
Weather Sep 4: Partly cloudy, high 93°F / low 76° · precip 4% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 6:50 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Caballo Trail, heading E.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading W.
- 100 ftSharp right, heading SW.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading SW.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Feldspar Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading S.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 0.5 miPass Tom's Thumb Viewpoint.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
- 500 ftPass McDowell Sonoran Preserve Viewpoint.
- 0.1 miReach East End, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Feldspar Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading NE.
- 0.4 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading NE.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading NE.
- 100 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Caballo Trail, heading NE.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~57 min). Leave by 5:34 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Caballo Trail Trailhead
- Sven Slab–Mushroom Rock Scenic Point, 3 cliffs 1.2 mi · ▲ 226 ft
- Mesquite Canyon–Caballo Trail, 4 sights 1.3 mi · ▲ 138 ft
- Morrell's Boulder–Caballo Trail, 3 sights 1.4 mi · ▲ 262 ft
- Harris's Hawk Vista–Caballo Trail, 4 sights 1.5 mi · ▲ 341 ft
- Raven Roost Scenic View & Feldspar Trail via Tom's Thumb Trail 1.5 mi · ▲ 547 ft
- Morrells Wall via Tom's Thumb Trail 1.7 mi · ▲ 637 ft
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