AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Windgate Pass Viewpoint–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 5 sights

7.6 mi · ▲ 2,446 ft · 3 hr 45 min

Windgate Pass Viewpoint–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 5 sights is a 7.6-mile out-and-back in McDowell Sonoran Preserve near Troon, AZ. The route passes Tom's Thumb Viewpoint and Windgate Pass before reaching Windgate Pass Viewpoint at the turnaround, 3.8 miles in. It climbs 2,446 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 mi2,566 – 3,691 ft · steepest grade: 25%8.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 33.69615, -111.80346
Nearest town Troon, AZ
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Windgate Pass Viewpoint–Tom's Thumb Viewpoint, 5 sights

7.6 mi · ▲ 2,446 ft · 3 hr 45 min

Elevation 2,564–3,692 ft

Out & Back · McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Trailhead: 33.69615, -111.80346

Weather Sep 6: sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:48 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 0.1 miTurn left, heading NE.
  3. 150 ftBear right, heading E.
  4. 150 ftTurn right onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading SE.
  5. 0.4 miTurn right onto Feldspar Trail, heading S.
  6. 50 ftContinue straight onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading S.
  7. 100 ftTurn right, heading S.
  8. 0.5 miPass Tom's Thumb Viewpoint.
  9. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  10. 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
  11. 0.3 miTurn left, heading S.
  12. 100 ftContinue straight onto East End Trail, heading S.
  13. 1.3 miTurn right onto Windgate Pass, heading SE.
  14. 0.1 miTurn left onto Bell Pass Trail, heading S.
  15. 50 ftTurn right onto Windgate Pass, heading S.
  16. 0.8 miPass Windgate Pass.
  17. 150 ftReach Windgate Pass Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  18. 0.9 miTurn left onto Bell Pass Trail, heading E.
  19. 50 ftTurn right onto Windgate Pass, heading E.
  20. 0.1 miTurn left onto East End Trail, heading NE.
  21. 1.2 miBear left, heading NW.
  22. 0.1 miTurn right onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading N.
  23. 0.3 miTurn left, heading N.
  24. 0.6 miTurn right, heading NE.
  25. 100 ftContinue straight onto Feldspar Trail, heading NE.
  26. 50 ftTurn left onto Tom's Thumb Trail, heading NE.
  27. 0.4 miTurn left, heading W.
  28. 100 ftBear left, heading NW.
  29. 150 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  30. 300 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/windgate-pass-viewpoint-toms-thumb-viewpoint-out-back-6-sights

Trail surface

97% dirt1% paved2% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:05 AMSunset 6:48 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~63 min). Leave by 5:25 PM for the 6:48 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Troon, Arizona