McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Vulture View Scenic Point–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 3 viewpoints

2.2 mi · ▲ 887 ft · 1 hr 11 min

Vulture View Scenic Point–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 3 viewpoints is a 2.2-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near Troon, AZ. The route passes Tom's Thumb Viewpoint before reaching Vulture View Scenic Point at the turnaround, 1.1 miles in. It climbs 887 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 mi2,789 – 3,688 ft · steepest grade: 24%2.6 mi

Getting there

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

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Vulture View Scenic Point–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 3 viewpoints

2.2 mi · ▲ 887 ft · 1 hr 11 min

Elevation 2,789–3,687 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 miSharp right, heading W.
  11. 50 ftReach Vulture View Scenic Point, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  12. 0.7 miTurn right, heading NW.
  13. 100 ftContinue straight onto Feldspar Trail, heading W.
  14. 50 ftTurn left onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading W.
  15. 0.4 miTurn left, heading NE.
  16. 50 ftSharp left, heading NE.
  17. 50 ftSharp left, heading NE.
  18. 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

95% dirt2% paved3% 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%

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead