Scottsdale

Pinnacle Peak is a 3.8 mile out-and-back hike along a beautifully groomed trail with a moderate gain of ~1,000ft. This distinctive 600ft granite summit can be seen from most of the surrounding valley and offers spectacular views of the McDowell Mountains, iconic Four Peaks, Granite Mountain and the Cone Mountains. This serene slice of Sonoran Desert is home to a wide range of wildlife including...

Gateway to Bell Pass is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Scottsdale, Arizona.

Saguaro Loop and Nature Trail is a loop trail located near Scottsdale, Arizona.

Gateway, Prospector, Thompson Peak Road Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Scottsdale, Arizona.

Horseshoe and Desert Parks Loop is a trail where you may see wildflowers located near Fountain Hills, Arizona.

Gateway Trail to Windgate Pass is a loop trail where you may see wildflowers located near Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Gateway Trailhead is one access point into the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in Scottsdale and is my favorite “Gateway” into the treasure trove of great trails and vistas in the McDowell Mountains. The Gateway Trailhead provides great accessibility for a quick hike or trail run at the end of the workday.  The Gateway Loop Trail is 4.5 miles long and has 650 feet of elevation gain, which mak...

Gateway, Bell Pass, and Windgate Loop Trail is a loop trail where you may see wildflowers located near Scottsdale, Arizona.

Starting at 1800 ft elevation, the trail begins at Gateway Loop. This part of the trail will start off pretty flat and be more crowded than Bell's Pass depending on the day and time you are hiking. If you enjoy running this would be the time to do it before you reach Bell's Pass and the incline in elevation begins. Along this path on the right will be Scottsdale on the left the mountainside. Ab...