AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

The Lookout–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 5 sights

4.4 mi · ▲ 1,333 ft · 2 hr 8 min

The Lookout–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 5 sights is a 4.4-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near Troon, AZ. The route passes Tom's Thumb Viewpoint before reaching The Lookout at the turnaround, 2.2 miles in. It climbs 1,333 ft, with sections as steep as 25% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 71/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi2,789 – 3,898 ft · steepest grade: 25%5.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 33.69498, -111.80118
Nearest town Troon, AZ
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

The Lookout–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 5 sights

4.4 mi · ▲ 1,333 ft · 2 hr 8 min

Elevation 2,789–3,896 ft

Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Trailhead: 33.69498, -111.80118

Weather Sep 4: Partly cloudy, high 92°F / low 76° · precip 4% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 6:50 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 50 ftSharp right, heading S.
  3. 50 ftSharp right, heading S.
  4. 50 ftTurn right onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading SW.
  5. 0.4 miTurn right onto Feldspar Trail, heading SE.
  6. 50 ftContinue straight onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading SE.
  7. 100 ftTurn right, heading S.
  8. 0.5 miPass Tom's Thumb Viewpoint.
  9. 100 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  10. 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
  11. 0.3 miTurn left, heading SW.
  12. 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
  13. 450 ftTurn left onto Tom's Thumb, heading NW.
  14. 50 ftBear right onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading NW.
  15. 0.1 miBear right onto Lookout Trail, heading W.
  16. 0.4 miReach The Lookout, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  17. 0.4 miBear left onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading N.
  18. 0.1 miBear left onto Tom's Thumb, heading NE.
  19. 50 ftTurn right onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading NE.
  20. 450 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  21. 0.2 miSharp left, heading NE.
  22. 0.3 miTurn left, heading SE.
  23. 0.6 miTurn right, heading N.
  24. 100 ftContinue straight onto Feldspar Trail, heading W.
  25. 50 ftTurn left onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading NW.
  26. 0.4 miTurn left, heading NE.
  27. 50 ftSharp left, heading N.
  28. 50 ftSharp left, heading N.
  29. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/the-lookout-toms-thumb-viewpoint-out-back-5-sights

Trail surface

97% dirt1% paved2% unspecified

Weather

Partly cloudyTemperature 92°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 1.2 mi in (~55 min). Leave by 5:35 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Troon, Arizona