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An awesome and challenging 10 mile loop starting at the DC Ranch Village Parking Lot.


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Map Key

10.5

Miles

16.9

KM

84%

Runnable

3,190' 972 m

High

1,691' 515 m

Low

2,082' 635 m

Up

2,081' 634 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

36%

Max Grade (20°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Daylight only.

Overview

This is an incredible 10 or so mile loop around the McDowell Park. Run clockwise to an easier ascent through Windgate Pass or counter clockwise for a more difficult ascent through Bell Pass. You'll encounter very few people once you leave the Gateway Loop Trail.

Need to Know

Knees up, toes up!! These trails can be a quite rocky.

Description

From the Village, head down the Horseshoe Trail past the Desert Park Trail to for about 3/4 mile where it ties into the Gateway Loop Trail. Go north (left) to hit Windgate first. Run about 1/4 mile to the base of the first minor climb and then roll for a couple miles to the next signed split. Straight (east) is the start of the Windgate Trail. Make your way past the Horseshoe Trail tie in and Tom's Thumb to reach Inspiration Point, a great place for sunrise viewing. Keep truckin' up to the pass and you'll understand the name.

Head back down to the desert floor on some fun downhill rollers before turning right onto the Bell Pass Trail. Don't worry, you can't miss the signs. Climb again for about a mile and a half and you'll reach the Bell Pass waypoint.

From there on, hold onto your socks as the downhill running makes for either an incredibly fast run, or a stumbling hike on the switchbacks to the Gateway Loop Trail. Turn left (south) at the Gateway Loop Trail at follow around clockwise past the Gateway Trail. Turn off to the Horseshoe Trail which takes you back to the Village.

Breathe hard. Its good for you.

Contacts

Land Manager: City of Scottsdale

Shared By:

Tom Dobson

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 18 votes

#914

Overall
  4.4 from 18 votes
5 Star
39%
4 Star
61%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#49

in Arizona

#914

Overall
31 Views Last Month
5,015 Since Apr 19, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
19%
19%
63%
0%

Photos

There's gold in them thar hills
Apr 19, 2015 near Fountai…, AZ
Destination...Tom Thumb
May 15, 2015 near Fountai…, AZ
Looking up at Bell Pass at Sunrise
Apr 12, 2015 near Fountai…, AZ
Wingate Pass looking at Scottsdale
Apr 19, 2015 near Fountai…, AZ
Spring wildflowers
May 12, 2019 near Fountai…, AZ
Looking north towards the lookout trail
Sep 16, 2018 near Fountai…, AZ

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 74 days ago
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