AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Prospector Scenic View–Dixie Mine, 6 sights

15.1 mi · ▲ 2,772 ft · 6 hr 25 min

Prospector Scenic View–Dixie Mine, 6 sights is a 15.1-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near Fountain View, AZ. The route passes Dixie Mine, Prospector Scenic View and Bell Pass. It climbs 2,772 ft, with sections as steep as 23% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 60/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi1,759 – 3,212 ft · steepest grade: 23%16.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 33.63735, -111.74896
Nearest town Fountain View, AZ
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Prospector Scenic View–Dixie Mine, 6 sights

15.1 mi · ▲ 2,772 ft · 6 hr 25 min

Elevation 1,760–3,211 ft

Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Trailhead: 33.63735, -111.74896

Weather Sep 6: sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:47 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
  2. 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
  3. 1.3 miBear right, heading NW.
  4. 0.4 miTurn right, heading NW.
  5. 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  6. 0.5 miBear left, heading NW.
  7. 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  8. 100 ftBear left onto Thompson Peak Road, heading NW.
  9. 0.1 miPass Dixie Mine.
  10. 150 ftTurn right, heading W.
  11. 50 ftTurn left onto Dixie Mine Trail, heading W.
  12. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Thompson Peak Road, heading W.
  13. 0.3 miTurn right onto Prospector, heading W.
  14. 0.7 miPass Prospector Scenic View.
  15. 250 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  16. 0.5 miTurn left onto Bell Pass Trail, heading W.
  17. 0.4 miPass Bell Pass.
  18. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Bell Pass Trail (Alternate), heading W.
  19. 100 ftBear left onto Bell Pass Trail, heading S.
  20. 150 ftContinue straight onto Bell Pass Trail (Alternate), heading SW.
  21. 50 ftTurn left onto Bell Pass Trail, heading SW.
  22. 1.7 miBear left onto Gateway Loop Trail, heading W.
  23. 1.1 miTurn left onto Saguaro Loop Trail, heading NW.
  24. 50 ftReach Prospector Scenic View, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  25. 50 ftTurn right onto Gateway Loop Trail, heading NW.
  26. 1.1 miBear right onto Bell Pass Trail, heading E.
  27. 1.7 miTurn right onto Bell Pass Trail (Alternate), heading NE.
  28. 50 ftContinue straight onto Bell Pass Trail, heading NE.
  29. 150 ftBear right onto Bell Pass Trail (Alternate), heading NE.
  30. 100 ftContinue straight onto Bell Pass Trail, heading NE.
  31. 0.5 miTurn right onto Prospector, heading NE.
  32. 0.5 miTurn right, heading SE.
  33. 0.8 miTurn left onto Thompson Peak Road, heading SE.
  34. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Dixie Mine Trail, heading NE.
  35. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SE.
  36. 50 ftTurn left onto Thompson Peak Road, heading SE.
  37. 0.2 miBear right, heading S.
  38. 100 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  39. 50 ftBear right, heading SE.
  40. 0.5 miTurn right, heading E.
  41. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  42. 0.4 miBear left, heading E.
  43. 1.3 miTurn right, heading E.
  44. 0.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/prospector-scenic-view-dixie-mine-out-back-8-sights

Trail surface

97% dirt3% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:05 AMSunset 6:47 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 4.8 mi in (~152 min). Leave by 3:55 PM for the 6:47 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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