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McDowell Mountains / Sven Tower I - 2 members in 3 triplogs have rated this an average 3.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
3 triplogs
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Feb 07 2024
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 Guides 59
 Routes 1,100
 Photos 1,191
 Triplogs 1,290

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Sven Towers 1-3 and MSP 38 of 39, AZ 
Sven Towers 1-3 and MSP 38 of 39, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 07 2024
pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290
Hiking8.18 Miles 1,637 AEG
Hiking8.18 Miles   3 Hrs      2.89 mph
1,637 ft AEG      10 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   10 linked trail guides
Tom's Thumb Trail - MSP
Mesquite Canyon Trail - MSP
McDowell Mountains / Sven Tower I
McDowell Mountains / Sven Tower II
McDowell Mountains / Sven Tower III
McDowell Mountains / Girlie Man Area
Feldspar Trail - MSP
McDowell Mountains / Morell's Parking Lot Rock
Caballo Trail - MSP
Rock Knob Trail - MSP / MMRP
Partners none no partners
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Dog
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Morell's Parking Lot Rock  Rock Knob  Sven Slab  Sven Tower I  Sven Tower II  Sven Tower III
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Fog
  4 archives
Jan 21 2019
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 Guides 99
 Routes 1,484
 Photos 16,072
 Triplogs 1,374

male
 Joined Jan 07 2017
 Fountain Hills,
Hog Heaven - Tom's Thumb - East End, AZ 
Hog Heaven - Tom's Thumb - East End, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 21 2019
DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,374
Hiking12.60 Miles 4,120 AEG
Hiking12.60 Miles   6 Hrs   40 Mns   2.63 mph
4,120 ft AEG   1 Hour   52 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   7 linked trail guides
Tom's Thumb Trail - MSP
Mesquite Canyon Trail - MSP
Hog Heaven Loop - McDowell Mountains
McDowell Mountains / Sven Tower I
East End Peak - MSP
Windgate Pass Trail - MSP
East End Trail - MSP
Partners none no partners
I decided to go do my favorite hike in the McDowell's today -- the Hog Heaven Loop. I was wanting something a little longer though, so I added in a CCW loop on the Tom's Thumb Trail-Windgate Pass Trail-East End Trail. I got this idea from a hike that about half a dozen HAZers did on 12-29-2018.

We did the two loops in a figure 8 pattern, starting and ending at the Tom's Thumb TH. On the Hog Heaven Loop we stopped off and climbed on a few boulders at the Sven Tower I climbing crag. This was fairly easy, non-technical climbing, and we had some good views of Marcus Landslide down below. Once we descended from East End Peak down to the Tom's Thumb Trail, we made our way over to the base of Tom's Thumb. Once we came back up on the East End Trail, we made a sidetrip over to Miner's Den, which is a small cave not far from the East End Trail - Tom's Thumb Trail junction.

I enjoyed this hike -- it gave a good workout and had some nice scenery, especially on the Hog Heaven Loop.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
There were quite a few poppies and brittlebushes in bloom.
_____________________
Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there
 
May 05 2018
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 Guides 99
 Routes 1,484
 Photos 16,072
 Triplogs 1,374

male
 Joined Jan 07 2017
 Fountain Hills,
Hog Heaven Loop - McDowell MountainsPhoenix, AZ
Hog Heaven Loop - McDowell Mountains
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar May 05 2018
DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,374
Hiking5.90 Miles 2,150 AEG
Hiking5.90 Miles   3 Hrs   55 Mns   2.31 mph
2,150 ft AEG   1 Hour   22 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
East End Peak - MSP
Tom's Thumb Trail - MSP
McDowell Mountains / Tom's Thumb
Lost Wall Loop - McDowell Mountains
McDowell Mountains / Sven Tower I
Partners none no partners
This is a cool little hike in the McDowells, and it is more difficult than the distance and AEG would suggest. There is one ascent where you go up past Hog Heaven to the Thumbnail that goes up 750 feet in 1/2 mile -- this section will remind you a little bit of going up Flatiron.

We started at the Tom's Thumb TH and went up Mesquite Canyon on a hiker access route. I noticed from a triplog that KBKB had climbed up the Sven Tower I climber crag, so we did that, and I am glad that we did. There are some cool views of Marcus Landslide from that vantage point. After that we followed the Hog Heaven Loop up to the Thumbnail, and from there went across the ridgeline to East End. If you go hiking in the McDowell's, why not go to the high point in the range! From there we made a descent (first to the north, and then to the west) down to the Tom's Thumb Trail. From there we picked up the Lost Wall Loop and made our way over to Tom's Thumb, and continued the loop west of Tom's Thumb and eventually made our way down to the Tom's Thumb trail and back to the TH.

This is probably my favorite little hike in the McDowells!
_____________________
Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there
  3 archives
average hiking speed 2.61 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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