We took a sadistic route to Thompson Peak from the Scottsdale side. Parked at Bell/104th St. Took Levee to Paradise to Bell Pass to Prospector (3.6 mi, 1520 AEG so far). Then 1.3 down on Prospector to Thompson Peak Rd. Then up 2 miles on the road to the Peak (1586 ft AEG from low point on Prospector to Thompson Peak).

Spent about 45 min at the summit eating lunch and looking around. The fence was open to one of the towers while a maintenance guy worked from his truck on something.

I would not go this route again, but I was able to satisfy my curiosity about linking Scottsdale trails to this peak. Went back the same way we came in. The 806 foot climb from Prospector back to Bell Pass was modest but painful.