Tom's Thumb Loop off Windgate Pass Trail Photoset • ddgrunning • 2024-12-14 • HikeArizona.COM

Tom's Thumb Loop off Windgate Pass Trail, AZ

	2024-12-14
	14 by ddgrunning

Tom's Thumb Loop off Windgate Pass Trail

Phoenix, AZ

Tom's Thumb Loop off Windgate Pass Trail

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking	12.68 Miles	3,007 AEG

Hiking	12.68 Miles	5 Hrs 8 Mns	2.52 mph
	3,007 ft AEG	6 Mns Break

Linked

6 linked trail guides

Gateway Loop Trail - MSP

Windgate Bell Loop

Bell Pass Trail - MSP

Tom's Thumb Trail - MSP

Saguaro Trail - MSP

East End Trail - MSP

Partners

none

no partners

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Did this loop a few years back and decided to take the wife this go around. Surprisingly sparse crowds at the TH this time of year, when we arrived around 7:30 am. Once out of the initial TH area, we enjoyed quite a bit of solitude all the way up to Tom's Thumb, and then again, once we began heading down East End trail.

Instead of cutting back through Windgate Pass for the lasso loop, we continued on to Bell Pass instead.

Best part of the loop, IMO, is the last couple of miles climbing up to Tom's Thumb from the West side. The first and final couple of miles near the TH are kind of blase.

I really wish they would put in more trails to the peaks/summits in the McDowells, as well as a west side approach to Thompson peak so you could do it as a loop.

For some reason, when hiking out here, I feel like the place is managed by star-bellied sneetches.

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