McDowell Loop Photoset • The_Eagle • 2015-05-16 • HikeArizona.COM

McDowell Loop, AZ

	2015-05-16
	14 by The_Eagle

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McDowell Loop, AZ

Hiking	14.73 Miles	3,529 AEG

Hiking	14.73 Miles	5 Hrs 22 Mns		2.85 mph
	3,529 ft AEG	12 Mns Break	14 LBS Pack

Linked

9 linked trail guides

Desert Park Trail - MSP

Tom's Thumb Trail - MSP

Tom's Thumb Loop off Windgate Pass Trail

Lookout Trail - MSP

East End Trail - MSP

Bell Pass Trail - MSP

Windgate Bell Loop

Gateway Loop Trail - MSP

Horseshoe Trail - MSP

Partners

none

no partners

I had afternoon plans, so I had to stay close to the valley. With the freakish cool/wet May Saturday, this worked out perfectly.

I don't get many hikes, where the hike mileage is greater than the driving distance or where I can get in close to 15 miles and be home before noon.

Temps were perfect and the clouds from the previous night's storm, made a decent hike into a great hike. The climb up the Tom Thumb Trail from the SW, the Lookout Trail, and the East End Trails... are my favorites in the McD's. The weather added a new kick to them.

Saw nobody for the first 2 hours and then was surprised at the lack of people out enjoying. I ran into the masses once I got to the Gateway Loop portion of my hike.

Saw JJ and his entourage climbing Bell Pass on their way to Thompson Peak.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cactus Wren

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

	Mountain Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	Gushing. It's never dry...

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

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