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Gateway Trail to Tom's Thumb (R2R)

Sat, Mar 29

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Gateway Loop McDowell Mtn Preserve

The Gateway to Tom’s Thumb Loop is an extremely challenging, 12-mile loop that includes East End, Windgate Pass, Tom’s Thumb trails and Bell Pass with many very steep and loose sections and three major climbs

Gateway Trail to Tom's Thumb (R2R)
Gateway Trail to Tom's Thumb (R2R)

Time & Location

Mar 29, 2025, 6:30 AM – 12:30 PM MST

Gateway Loop McDowell Mtn Preserve, 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255, USA

Guests

About the event

Some will meet at Back to Heath to carpool and others will meet us at the trailhead at 6:30am sharp to start hiking.


The Gateway to Tom’s Thumb Loop is an extremely challenging, 12-mile loop that includes East End, Windgate Pass, Tom’s Thumb trails and Bell Pass with many very steep and loose sections and three major climbs. Provides exceptional views of dramatic rock formations in the McDowell Mountain range throughout the hike. Also, seldom-used sections of the hike offer great solitude, and the route crosses one of the few springs in the Preserve. Overall, you will experience about a 3100 foot elevation gain in this northern area of the McDowell Mountains, a section of Preserve that is slightly cooler and receives more rainfall. This climate difference leads to the establishment of a different variety of wildflowers, unique plant selection and more wildlife. Travelling uphill through a field of granite…


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