Inspiration Viewpoint–Desert Spring Park Lake, 4 sights
4.7 mi · ▲ 880 ft · 2 hr
Inspiration Viewpoint–Desert Spring Park Lake, 4 sights is a 4.7-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near DC Ranch, AZ. The route passes Desert Spring Park Lake before reaching Inspiration Viewpoint at the turnaround, 2.3 miles in. It climbs 880 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 25/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Inspiration Viewpoint–Desert Spring Park Lake, 4 sights
4.7 mi · ▲ 880 ft · 2 hr
Elevation 1,826–2,719 ft
Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Trailhead: 33.66238, -111.85829
Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 6:51 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading N.
- 0.3 miPass Desert Spring Park Lake.
- 100 ftBear right onto Desert Park Trail, heading NE.
- 1.5 miTurn left onto Windgate Pass, heading NE.
- 0.4 miBear right onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Windgate Pass, heading SE.
- 0.2 miReach Inspiration Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear left onto Windgate Pass, heading NW.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Desert Park Trail, heading SW.
- 1.5 miBear left, heading SW.
- 0.3 miArrive 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 right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:30 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 6:51 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:16 PM.
More from this trailhead
- Inspiration Viewpoint–Desert Park Trail, 3 sights 4.5 mi · ▲ 827 ft
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