The Lookout–Bell Pass, 7 sights
15.5 mi · ▲ 3,627 ft · 6 hr 59 min
The Lookout–Bell Pass, 7 sights is a 15.5-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near McDowell Mountain Ranch, AZ. The route passes Bell Pass before reaching The Lookout at the turnaround, 7.7 miles in. It climbs 3,627 ft, with sections as steep as 25% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 51/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
The Lookout–Bell Pass, 7 sights
15.5 mi · ▲ 3,627 ft · 6 hr 59 min
Elevation 1,568–3,896 ft
Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Trailhead: 33.62656, -111.85640
Weather Sep 6: sunrise 6:06 AM · sunset 6:48 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 150 ftTurn right onto Mule Deer Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 200 ftSharp left onto Quartz Trail, heading NE.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto Paradise Trail, heading E.
- 1.4 miTurn right onto Gateway Loop Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Bell Pass Trail, heading E.
- 1.7 miTurn right onto Bell Pass Trail (Alternate), heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Bell Pass Trail, heading S.
- 150 ftBear right onto Bell Pass Trail (Alternate), heading S.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Bell Pass Trail, heading S.
- 350 ftPass Bell Pass.
- 1.3 miTurn right onto Windgate Pass, heading NE.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto East End Trail, heading NW.
- 1.2 miBear left, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
- 450 ftTurn left onto Tom's Thumb, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear right onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading W.
- 0.1 miBear right onto Lookout Trail, heading W.
- 0.4 miReach The Lookout, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miBear left onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading N.
- 0.1 miBear left onto Tom's Thumb, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading NE.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto East End Trail, heading N.
- 1.3 miTurn right onto Windgate Pass, heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Bell Pass Trail, heading SW.
- 1.4 miContinue straight onto Bell Pass Trail (Alternate), heading W.
- 100 ftBear left onto Bell Pass Trail, heading W.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Bell Pass Trail (Alternate), heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Bell Pass Trail, heading NW.
- 1.7 miBear left onto Gateway Loop Trail, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Paradise Trail, heading W.
- 1.4 miTurn right onto Quartz Trail, heading S.
- 0.8 miSharp right, heading W.
- 150 ftTurn right onto Mule Deer Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left, 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 6.8 mi in (~233 min). Leave by 2:35 PM for the 6:48 PM sunset. Back at your car by 10:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Quartz Trail 1.9 mi · ▲ 109 ft
- Quartz Trail 4.2 mi · ▲ 395 ft
- Paradise Trail 4.2 mi · ▲ 360 ft
- Quartz Trail 4.3 mi · ▲ 389 ft
- Quartz Trail 4.5 mi · ▲ 411 ft
- Mesquite Tree–Javelina Trail, 3 sights 4.8 mi · ▲ 411 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near McDowell Mountain Ranch, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near McDowell Mountain Ranch, Arizona