Mountain Spring–Inspiration Viewpoint, 6 sights
4 mi · ▲ 897 ft · 1 hr 47 min
Mountain Spring–Inspiration Viewpoint, 6 sights is a 4-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near DC Ranch, AZ. The route passes Inspiration Viewpoint, Windgate Pass, Windgate Pass Viewpoint and Mountain Spring. It climbs 897 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 55/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Mountain Spring–Inspiration Viewpoint, 6 sights
4 mi · ▲ 897 ft · 1 hr 47 min
Elevation 2,195–3,020 ft
Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Trailhead: Silverleaf connector · 33.67109, -111.83964
Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 6:51 PM
- Start on Silverleaf connector, heading E.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Desert Park Trail, heading SE.
- 0.4 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 E.
- 0.2 miPass Inspiration Viewpoint.
- 0.8 miPass Windgate Pass.
- 50 ftPass Windgate Pass Viewpoint.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 0.6 miSharp left onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftPass Mountain Spring.
- 0.5 miBear right, heading W.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Silverleaf connector, heading W.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
- 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 0.1 mi in (~3 min). Leave by 6:28 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:07 PM — 8 min before dark.
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