I wanted to do an exercise hike not far from home, so I chose this one, even though it is not my favorite hike.

There was some cloud cover and nice breezes early in the hike, both of which were quite welcome.

I almost stepped on a rattlesnake that was curled up in a ball on the right side of the trail. I saw the snake just as my foot was about 6" away from stepping on him -- but the snake never moved, and I was able to lengthen my stride just in time to avoid stepping on the snake.

It was nice to do a low elevation hike for a change -- I could actually breathe on this hike!

Last training hike before the Grand Canyon next weekend. Just Gallydoll and myself today. Got to Gateway trailhead just before the gate opened and there was already a long line of cars waiting to get in. Pretty much a run of the mill hike. It's been a while since I've been up to Thompson Peak, forgot how crazy steep it was. Returned on the same route. There's a little shortcut trail from Prospector over to Thompson Peak road. It's hard to see from the Prospector side, but once you get near the road, you'll come to a wash, if you turn right into the wash and then almost immediately left back out of the wash, a faint trail takes you over to the road. On the road side, there's an old piece of lumber sticking up out of a pile of rocks. Pretty easy to see. Went to Temple Bar for post hike treats only to find it has closed and is gone . Ended up at Lush Burger for some sliders and D-licious onion rings. Oh, they have Shock Top on tap, TASTY end to the hike.

haven't done this combo in two and a half years
it's a good one
needed double digits with some aeg as i'll probably be working the next two sundays
'tis the season
got going around nine
gateway loop bell pass east end the lookout tom's thumb windgate gateway
counterclockwise so i could go up east end
temps were fine, but the wind added some chill at the passes and high points
couldn't stay at the lookout
wasn't very crowded once off gateway loop
had fun on an old favorite

forgot to mention that i came up on @darthstiller and his family hiking gateway loop
how could i tell? no one else has pants like that
nice to meet you, chris!

In keeping with the yearly goal of more peaks, more unique hits, and more miles, I decided to head out here. Wow. That last road is no joke. It felt never ending with a steepness I don't remember experiencing elsewhere. I think the paved portions make it seem like it isn't as steep as it is but holy crap.

I was going to attempt this last weekend but decided to do the loop around Tom's Thumb. I am glad I chose to follow lindaagm's route as it shaved a few miles off of the one I was going to use. I was gassed by the end.

Another beautiful day for a hike. But I will have to admit it warmed up more than I wanted.
We made it up to Bell Pass and only seen 2 hikers along the way. The views of Four Peaks was beautiful while the views of Phoenix were lets say dirty.
The McDowell Mountains are just simply beautiful so much more green than any other place I have hiked lately.

On the way back down I decide to take a side trip and do the rest of the Gateway Loop Trail. It was busier than Bell Pass Trail. I did talk to quiet a few hikers along the way and really everybody seemed to be in really good moods.
This was a fun hike and I'll have to come back and try out some different trails.

After several weekends away I wanted something short and close to home. This fit the bill perfectly. I was on trail around 7:15am and headed up. A handful of people were out and temps were very pleasant. I hit the Toms Thumb turnoff and powered my way up and skipped the thumb and headed directly for the East End Trail. From there I dropped down into the valley and connected over the Bell Pass Trail. The last few miles blurred by and I opted to return on the equestrian bypass. This avoids the crowds. I was all done around 11am and then headed home.

I was hoping to do a bigger loop, but with the preserve closing at sunset this was all I could squeeze in. Got to the TH about 4 to start hiking for the day, a little warm but not bad at all. Made good time the whole way, took a quick two minute break at the pass and headed back down. I saw about a dozen other hikers on the Gateway loop on the way back after getting solitude for the rest of the hike. Good stuff!

Before heading to the Phoenix Open Pro Am, went and did Bell Pass to get some elevation work in. Great trail and weather in the mid 50s was perfect. Most Scottsdale walkers were bundled up in their $500 coats to walk up the trail and I could read their minds as a West Side redneck in sleeveless and shorts would run by them.

Ever since we moved into the new house - I have wanted to do this loop from the front door up to Tom's Thumb and back. Dropped kids at school - Brad took day off work to hike.

House Paradise Gateway loop up to saddle and over up Windgate Pass Tom's Thumb past spring up to the Thumb itself (lunch) down East End Windmill briefly Bell Pass up and over back to Paradise trail home to front door.

Very nice weather. Great loop! Lots of AEG without driving anywhere!

Wildflowers
Cattails out of control tall and growing into the trail by the spring

My go to area when I need a workout hike or am limited in time.
Lots of loop opportunities from 5 to 30 miles and as much AEG as you can bite off.

Perfect weather with plenty out enjoying the day. East of the ridgeline you rarely see another. I scrambled south off of the Thompson Peak Trail to meet up with the Quartz trail. On the Quartz trail I spooked 3 mule deer that never went more than 40' from me.