McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Prairie Falcon Overlook–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 4 sights

2.8 mi · ▲ 926 ft · 1 hr 24 min

Prairie Falcon Overlook–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 4 sights is a 2.8-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near Troon, AZ. The route passes Tom's Thumb Viewpoint before reaching Prairie Falcon Overlook at the turnaround, 1.4 miles in. It climbs 926 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 64/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi2,733 – 3,694 ft · steepest grade: 24%3.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Caballo Trail 33.69677, -111.80065
Nearest town Troon, AZ

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Prairie Falcon Overlook–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 4 sights

2.8 mi · ▲ 926 ft · 1 hr 24 min

Elevation 2,733–3,695 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

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading E.
  2. 50 ftTurn right onto Caballo Trail, heading E.
  3. 150 ftTurn right, heading S.
  4. 0.1 miTurn right, heading W.
  5. 100 ftSharp right, heading SW.
  6. 50 ftSharp right, heading SW.
  7. 50 ftTurn right onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading SW.
  8. 0.4 miTurn right onto Feldspar Trail, heading S.
  9. 50 ftContinue straight onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading S.
  10. 100 ftTurn right, heading S.
  11. 0.5 miPass Tom's Thumb Viewpoint.
  12. 150 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  13. 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
  14. 0.2 miBear right, heading S.
  15. 100 ftReach Prairie Falcon Overlook, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  16. 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
  17. 0.6 miTurn right, heading N.
  18. 100 ftContinue straight onto Feldspar Trail, heading NE.
  19. 50 ftTurn left onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading SE.
  20. 0.4 miTurn left, heading N.
  21. 50 ftSharp left, heading N.
  22. 50 ftSharp left, heading NW.
  23. 100 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  24. 0.1 miTurn left onto Caballo Trail, heading NE.
  25. 150 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  26. 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

84% dirt1% paved15% unspecified

Weather

Partly cloudyTemperature 93°F76°
Feels like88°Precip4%Wind6 mphUV8Humidity32%
Rained 0.2″ 4 days ago
Hourly temperature
95°75°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM9 PMSunset 6:50 PM
Sat 92°76°
Sun 96°78°
Mon 96°81°
Tue 98°82°
Wed 98°82° 23%
Thu 95°81° 27%

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.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Caballo Trail Trailhead