McDowell Sonoran Preserve Viewpoint–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 5 sights
3.3 mi · ▲ 1,257 ft · 1 hr 44 min
McDowell Sonoran Preserve Viewpoint–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 5 sights is a 3.3-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near Troon, AZ. The route passes Tom's Thumb Viewpoint before reaching McDowell Sonoran Preserve Viewpoint at the turnaround, 1.6 miles in. It climbs 1,257 ft, with sections as steep as 37% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 66/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
McDowell Sonoran Preserve Viewpoint–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 5 sights
3.3 mi · ▲ 1,257 ft · 1 hr 44 min
Elevation 2,733–3,861 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 on Caballo Trail, heading E.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 150 ftTurn right onto Marcus Landslide Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading W.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Feldspar Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading S.
- 50 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.
- 0.1 miReach McDowell Sonoran Preserve Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Feldspar Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading N.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Marcus Landslide Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Caballo Trail, 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 1.4 mi in (~58 min). Leave by 5:32 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:39 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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