Inspiration Viewpoint–Windgate Pass Viewpoint, 7 sights
10.6 mi · ▲ 1,920 ft · 4 hr 30 min
Inspiration Viewpoint–Windgate Pass Viewpoint, 7 sights is a 10.6-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near DC Ranch, AZ. The route passes Desert Spring Park Lake, Inspiration Viewpoint, Windgate Pass and Windgate Pass Viewpoint. It climbs 1,920 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 49/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Inspiration Viewpoint–Windgate Pass Viewpoint, 7 sights
10.6 mi · ▲ 1,920 ft · 4 hr 30 min
Elevation 1,823–3,034 ft
Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Trailhead: 33.66708, -111.86293
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 98°F / low 82° · precip 4% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 6:51 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Desert Park Trail, heading SE.
- 0.3 miPass Desert Spring Park Lake.
- 1.5 miTurn left onto Windgate Pass, heading SE.
- 0.4 miBear right onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading E.
- 50 ftBear left onto Windgate Pass, heading E.
- 0.2 miPass Inspiration Viewpoint.
- 0.8 miPass Windgate Pass.
- 50 ftPass Windgate Pass Viewpoint.
- 0.9 miTurn left onto Bell Pass Trail, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Windgate Pass, heading E.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Windmill Trail, heading E.
- 1 miReach Inspiration Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1 miContinue straight onto Windgate Pass, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Bell Pass Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Windgate Pass, heading NW.
- 1.9 miBear right onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left onto Windgate Pass, heading S.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Desert Park Trail, heading W.
- 2 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 0.2 mi in (~5 min). Leave by 6:25 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:12 PM — 4 min before dark.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Desert Park Trail 2.1 mi · ▲ 134 ft
- Horseshoe Trail via Desert Park Trail 3.4 mi · ▲ 214 ft
- Desert Park Trail & Saguaro Trail 3.6 mi · ▲ 165 ft
- 104th Street Spur & Desert Park Trail 4.5 mi · ▲ 165 ft
- Windgate Pass Viewpoint–Desert Spring Park Lake Loop, 9 sights 7.1 mi · ▲ 804 ft
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