Mesquite Tree–Gateway Saddle, 5 sights
7.4 mi · ▲ 943 ft · 2 hr 56 min
Mesquite Tree–Gateway Saddle, 5 sights is a 7.4-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near McDowell Mountain Ranch, AZ. The route passes Mesquite Tree and Gateway Saddle. It climbs 943 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 16/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Mesquite Tree–Gateway Saddle, 5 sights
7.4 mi · ▲ 943 ft · 2 hr 56 min
Elevation 1,590–2,380 ft
Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Trailhead: Javelina Trail · 33.62558, -111.85367
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 99°F / low 83° · precip 4% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 6:51 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Javelina Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftPass Mesquite Tree.
- 300 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Quartz Trail, heading NE.
- 0.6 miTurn left onto Paradise Trail, heading NW.
- 1.2 miTurn left onto Levee trail, heading N.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading W.
- 150 ftBear left onto Crossover Trail, heading W.
- 250 ftBear left, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto 104th Street Spur, heading NW.
- 100 ftTurn left onto Gateway Loop Trail, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Saguaro Loop Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftBear left onto Gateway Loop Trail, heading N.
- 1.6 miPass Gateway Saddle.
- 0.9 miTurn left onto Paradise Trail, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
- 350 ftSharp right, heading SE.
- 1.2 miTurn right onto Quartz Trail, heading S.
- 0.6 miTurn left onto Javelina Trail, heading SW.
- 250 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 right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:31 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.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Javelina Trail Trailhead
- Quartz Trail 1.9 mi · ▲ 109 ft
- Paradise Trail 4.2 mi · ▲ 360 ft
- Quartz Trail 4.5 mi · ▲ 411 ft
- Taliesin Overlook–Mesquite Tree, 3 sights 4.7 mi · ▲ 506 ft
- Mesquite Tree–Javelina Trail, 3 sights 4.8 mi · ▲ 411 ft
- Taliesin Overlook–Mesquite Tree, 5 sights 5.7 mi · ▲ 530 ft
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Hikes near McDowell Mountain Ranch, Arizona