Inspiration Viewpoint–Windgate Pass Viewpoint, 7 sights
10.6 mi · ▲ 1,634 ft · 4 hr 21 min
Inspiration Viewpoint–Windgate Pass Viewpoint, 7 sights is a 10.6-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near McDowell Mountain Ranch, AZ. The route passes Gateway Saddle and Windgate Pass Viewpoint before reaching Inspiration Viewpoint at the turnaround, 5.3 miles in. It climbs 1,634 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 27/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Inspiration Viewpoint–Windgate Pass Viewpoint, 7 sights
10.6 mi · ▲ 1,634 ft · 4 hr 21 min
Elevation 1,568–2,719 ft
Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Trailhead: 33.63188, -111.84880
Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 6:51 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
- 50 ftSharp left onto Mule Deer Trail, heading SW.
- 0.6 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 200 ftSharp left onto Quartz Trail, heading S.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto Paradise Trail, heading NE.
- 1.4 miTurn right onto Gateway Loop Trail, heading N.
- 0.9 miPass Gateway Saddle.
- 200 ftTurn right, heading E.
- 0.5 miSharp right onto Windgate Pass, heading NW.
- 0.4 miPass Windgate Pass Viewpoint.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 0.6 miBear right onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Windgate Pass, heading E.
- 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 NE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Windgate Pass, heading E.
- 0.6 miBear right, heading SW.
- 0.4 miSharp left onto Gateway Loop Trail, heading S.
- 1.4 miTurn left onto Paradise Trail, heading SW.
- 1.4 miTurn right onto Quartz Trail, heading SW.
- 0.8 miSharp right, heading W.
- 150 ftTurn right onto Mule Deer Trail, heading SW.
- 0.6 miSharp right, heading E.
- 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 0.4 mi in (~10 min). Leave by 6:20 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Mesquite Tree–Javelina Trail, 3 sights 3.9 mi · ▲ 340 ft
- Prairie Falcon Overlook–Bell Pass, 7 sights 15.3 mi · ▲ 3,464 ft
- Tom's Thumb Viewpoint–Bell Pass, 7 sights 15.9 mi · ▲ 3,651 ft
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Hikes near McDowell Mountain Ranch, Arizona