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You'll find climbing galore along this ride... and switchbacks galore on the way down.


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Map Key

19.3

Miles

31.1

KM

100%

Singletrack

3,774' 1,150 m

High

1,693' 516 m

Low

3,303' 1,007 m

Up

3,303' 1,007 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

43%

Max Grade (23°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Overview

To access this ride, head to the parking area and trailhead at 104th Street/Bell Road. This lollipop-shaped route provides plenty of exercise on the way out, and a lot of fast, fun descending on the way back.

Need to Know

Riding in the desert often takes more energy than visitors realize. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen, and you might want to avoid this one in the summer heat.

Description

This is one of several great loops in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, especially for riders looking to get out for a longer ride on tougher terrain.

The approach on Tom's Thumb Trail is pretty much uphill all the time with a few spots that drop into washes. The trail conditions slowly change from loose shale and baby heads to hardpack desert soil. You'll continue around the backside of the loop on the Feldspar Trail, and then take a right onto the Marcus Landslide Trail. This route eventually leaves you at the Boulder Trail, which you continue on before reaching the Coachwhip Trail.

At the first major saddle near the junction for East End Trail, the trail becomes littered with loose, eroding granite (think kitty litter). Windgate Pass Trail is aptly named, as the saddle provides a great spot to take a break and dry off! Once past this point, you'll be able to enjoy a rolling descent all the way back to the parking area where you started your journey.

Contacts

Land Manager: City of Scottsdale

Shared By:

Stefan Richter with improvements by Zander Göpfert

Trail Ratings

  2.3 from 15 votes

#3656

Overall
  2.3 from 15 votes
5 Star
13%
4 Star
7%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
33%
1 Star
33%
Recommended Route Rankings

#144

in Arizona

#3,656

Overall
30 Views Last Month
6,288 Since Oct 9, 2016
Very Difficult Very Difficult

0%
0%
0%
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43%
57%

Photos

Top of Tom's Thumb!
Oct 9, 2016 near Fountai…, AZ
Coachwhip singletrack
Feb 12, 2020 near Fountai…, AZ
Rest, Wrench or Refueling station. Intersection of Pemberton and Coachwhip
Oct 20, 2019 near Fountai…, AZ
Top of Windgate Pass.
Jan 29, 2018 near Fountai…, AZ
Looking towards Scottsdale from Windgate Pass.
Jan 29, 2018 near Fountai…, AZ
Blastin' down the Coachwhip Trail
Jul 24, 2013 near Fountai…, AZ
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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