Thompson Peak Rd - MSP • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Guides 100
Routes 1,602
Photos 16,619
Triplogs 1,495

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 22 2026
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,495

Hiking	10.80 Miles	1,352 AEG

Hiking	10.80 Miles
	1,352 ft AEG

Linked

Partners

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no partners

I did this loop CCW. I did a variation of the standard loop, which was a bit longer but had less elevation gain.

Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Flowers continue to be nice this winter. I saw a good bit of owl clover today, which is one of my favorite flowers.

_____________________

Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

229549

Feb 16 2026

Guides 100
Routes 1,602
Photos 16,619
Triplogs 1,495

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Golden Thumb Lasso, AZ

Hiking		Feb 16 2026
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,495

Hiking	17.79 Miles	3,390 AEG

Hiking	17.79 Miles	8 Hrs 39 Mns	2.19 mph
	3,390 ft AEG	31 Mns Break

Linked

8 linked trail guides

Windgate Pass Trail - MSP

East End Trail - MSP

Tom's Thumb Trail - MSP

Lookout Trail - MSP

Partners

none

no partners

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

I did this lasso loop hike starting from the Golden Eagle TH to the Toms Thumb Trail. Instead of going to Toms Thumb I went to the Overlook so as to enjoy the views from there.

I did the loop portion CCW by ascending on the East End Trail and coming back down on the Toms Thumb Trail.

It was a nice day for a long hike -- cloudy and a bit breezy with comfortable temperatures.

Route Scout flatlined several times, so I used stats from Garmin.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Saguaro Scorpionweed

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Honey Bee

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cairn Old Rusty Stuff

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Fountain Lake Superstition Mountains - Ridgeline Weavers Needle

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Sunrise

Wildflowers Observation Light
There was a nice variety of flowers, including some that I have not yet seen this spring: desert chicory, wiry lotus, and owl clover.

_____________________

Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

229446

Feb 13 2026

Guides 100
Routes 1,602
Photos 16,619
Triplogs 1,495

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 13 2026
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,495

Hiking	11.10 Miles	1,709 AEG

Hiking	11.10 Miles	4 Hrs 39 Mns	2.62 mph
	1,709 ft AEG	25 Mns Break

Linked

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none

no partners

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

I did this loop CCW, with a side trip up to Bell Pass and back.

On the way out, just past the Dixie Mine TH, I went on a well worn use trail that I had noticed before but had never been on. This was an easy to follow trail that went to a road just past Ashbrook Wash. The road was wide and recently graded, and I followed it to Thompson Peak Road. I took Thompson Peak Road over to near the Dixie Mine, where I got on the Dixie Mine Trail. I liked this route and I will take it again sometime.

It was a great day weatherwise to be out -- I think that it was the best hiking day in the PHX area so far in 2026: cloudy, pleasantly cool, with a slight breeze.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] African Daisy

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Granite

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] East End McDowell Mountains

Wildflowers Observation Light
britlebush, chuparosa, Dichelostemma capitatum, flat top buckwheat, fairy duster, african daisy

_____________________

Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

229388

Jan 09 2026

Guides 100
Routes 1,602
Photos 16,619
Triplogs 1,495

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Golden Eagle Super Lasso, AZ

Hiking		Jan 09 2026
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,495

Hiking	16.72 Miles	3,214 AEG

Hiking	16.72 Miles	7 Hrs 55 Mns	2.43 mph
	3,214 ft AEG	1 Hour 3 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

8 linked trail guides

Windgate Pass Trail - MSP

Gateway Loop Trail - MSP

Partners

none

no partners

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

I decided to take advantage of a nice cool winter day and do a longer than normal hike that was close to home.

I started at the Golden Eagle TH in Fountain Hills and went on the Dixie Mine Trail to Thompson Peak Road, where I started the loop portion of the hike, going clockwise.

It was cool at the start but it warmed up quickly once the sun came up. Then it got a bit cloudy in mid morning, which made it feel cool again, but by early afternoon it warmed back up and I was in shirt sleeves the rest of the way.

There weren't many people on the trails, except for the Gateway Loop Trail which had the usual assortment of Scottsdale lizard people.

I look forward to more days this winter with the high temps in the mid 50's!

_____________________

Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

228615

Jan 02 2026

Guides 100
Routes 1,602
Photos 16,619
Triplogs 1,495

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 02 2026
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,495

Hiking	11.61 Miles	1,789 AEG

Hiking	11.61 Miles	4 Hrs 51 Mns	2.67 mph
	1,789 ft AEG	30 Mns Break

Linked

Thompson Peak Trail - MSP

Partners

none

no partners

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

I had not done this hike in a while so I figured that it would be as good as any for my first hike of 2026, especially since I wanted to stay close to home.

I did the loop clockwise, and added an out-and-back up to Bell Pass in order to get a bit extra mileage/AEG.

It is very green out there right now, and it was nice to see some wildflowers blooming.

I saw a few other hikers and some mountain bike riders, along with one bow hunter who was covered in camouflage from head to toe.

Wildflowers Observation Light
There are a good many brittlebush blooming, and I also noticed some chuparosa and buckwheat.

_____________________

Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

1 archive

228474

Dec 04 2025

bjonson

Routes 286
Photos 8
Triplogs 292

54 male

Joined Feb 19 2015
Phoenix

Thompson Peak Trail - MSP

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 04 2025
		bjonson • Triplogs 292

Hiking	14.34 Miles	4,513 AEG

Hiking	14.34 Miles	5 Hrs 33 Mns	2.62 mph
	4,513 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

linked

Bell Pass - Bell / 104th TH

Partners

none

no partners

presumably took memories and left without a trace...

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

_____________________

227849

Sep 27 2025

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 711
Photos 12,617
Triplogs 895

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Sep 27 2025
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 895

Hiking	11.20 Miles	829 AEG

Hiking	11.20 Miles	5 Hrs	2.26 mph
	829 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

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

I did this hike 5 years ago but this time I did the loop part CCW. Stopped at the Dixie Mine and saw the bottom due to light shining off of the water below. Rain and sun were intermittent throughout the morning, with lightning thankfully absent. Along the Coachwhip Trail I spotted a rainbow that seemed to be right in front of me.

I hiked up the trail that goes from the Prospector Trail to the ridgeline above. This trail is on the HAZ topo maps, so it's been there for a long time. Also saw another trail that the maps say links back up with the Coachwhip Trail. need to check that out another day. The ridgeline trail seemed to go on further but it was very faint and I was already nearly on my 9th mile.

Towards the bottom of the Prospector Trail I spotted a mining prospect next to the wash. It has 2 mine shafts that each go back 20-30 feet or so.

It was sunny when I finished but later in the day lightning storms were wafting through the valley. Glad I got this done before that rolled thru.

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1 archive

226236

Apr 18 2025

Guides 100
Routes 1,602
Photos 16,619
Triplogs 1,495

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 18 2025
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,495

Hiking	11.46 Miles	1,688 AEG

Hiking	11.46 Miles	5 Hrs 16 Mns	2.56 mph
	1,688 ft AEG	47 Mns Break

Linked

Partners

none

no partners

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

I decided to stay close to home and do this lasso loop hike. I did the loop clockwise, and added in an 0ut-and-back ascent of Bell Pass.

The temps were cool and there was lots of cloud cover, so it was a great morning for a hike.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Creosote Bush Desert Senna Mesquite Strawberry Hedgehog

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Thompson Peak

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Sunburst Sunrise

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
As has been the case this spring, there were some ocotillo flowers but not much else.

_____________________

Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

1 archive

222769

Apr 03 2025

Guides 100
Routes 1,602
Photos 16,619
Triplogs 1,495

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Bell Pass from Dixie Mine, AZ

Hiking		Apr 03 2025
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,495

Hiking	9.31 Miles	1,507 AEG

Hiking	9.31 Miles	3 Hrs 58 Mns	2.62 mph
	1,507 ft AEG	25 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Andrews - Kinsey Trail FHP

Partners

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no partners

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

I had a dental appointment early this morning and didn't get to the TH until almost noon, but it was a nice afternoon for a hike.

I saw a few people coming back to the TH in the first mile, but did not see anyone after that.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
I saw a few ocotillo flowers and a few flowers on some strawberry hedgehogs, but that was it.

_____________________

Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

222429

Apr 02 2025

pseudalpine

Guides 72
Routes 1,186
Photos 1,493
Triplogs 1,543

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

MSP loop, AZ

Hiking		Apr 02 2025
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,543

Hiking	10.87 Miles	3,912 AEG

Hiking	10.87 Miles	4 Hrs 8 Mns	2.67 mph
	3,912 ft AEG	4 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

11 linked trail guides

Peak 3804 - MSP

Peak 3702 - MSP

Thompson Peak Trail - MSP

Mesquite Hollow Trail - FHP

Sonoran Trail - MMRP

Mesquite Spur - FHP

Promenade Trail - FHP

Thompson Peak from Adero Canyon TH

Partners

none

no partners

presumably took memories and left without a trace...

10 archives

222413

Feb 28 2025

trekkin_gecko

Guides 10
Routes 700
Photos 7,591
Triplogs 4,837

67 female

Joined Nov 17 2008
phoenix, az

Thompson Peak, AZ

Hiking		Feb 28 2025
		trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,837

Hiking	13.19 Miles	3,837 AEG

Hiking	13.19 Miles	4 Hrs 7 Mns	3.28 mph
	3,837 ft AEG	6 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Gateway Loop Trail - MSP

Partners

partners

johnlp

john suggested a hike in the mcdowell mountains this morning
we set out from gateway around 0715
gateway loop, bell pass, prospector, cut over early to hit the road
two good ascents for a nice helping of aeg
didn't spend long on the summit
still a lot of dust in the air
back the same way
a lot of people once on gateway loop
refreshments at the car then lunch in old town scottsdale
nice morning, good idea, thanks john

_____________________

hazhole

221662

Feb 28 2025

johnlp

Guides 1
Routes 15
Photos 7,285
Triplogs 5,261

68 male

Joined Mar 16 2008
chandler,az

Thompson Peak, AZ

Hiking		Feb 28 2025
		johnlp • Triplogs 5,261

Hiking	13.19 Miles	3,837 AEG

Hiking	13.19 Miles	4 Hrs 7 Mns	3.28 mph
	3,837 ft AEG	6 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

linked

Gateway Loop Trail - MSP

Partners

partners

trekkin_gecko

Every time you hike Thompson Peak you realize how much better shape you could be in. The last quarter mile up to the peak is killer.
Kelly and I got started from the Gateway trailhead just behind the early crowd. Shade until we got to Bell Pass.
Once on Prospector we took a cairned use trail over to the service road, cutting off a chunk of mileage.
A nice breeze going up the road to the peak made for less of a sweat fest.
Hazy skies all around from the wind the last couple days. Saw a brittlebush with two flowers!
Kelly pushed the pace on the return trip as ice cold NAs awaited us in the car.
Lunch after. Good day. Thanks Kelly!

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

_____________________

“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson

221663

Feb 07 2025

Guides 100
Routes 1,602
Photos 16,619
Triplogs 1,495

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Bell Pass from Dixie Mine, AZ

Hiking		Feb 07 2025
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,495

Hiking	9.35 Miles	1,429 AEG

Hiking	9.35 Miles	4 Hrs 12 Mns	2.59 mph
	1,429 ft AEG	35 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

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

I decided to stay close to home this morning and do this hike to get a bit of exercise.

It was kinda cool at the start but it warmed up quickly. There was some decent cloud cover which made the warmer temps tolerable.

I did not see anyone early on, but on the way back there were quite a few people out on the trail. Snowbird season is in full swing!

_____________________

Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

221170

Feb 01 2025

Guides 100
Routes 1,602
Photos 16,619
Triplogs 1,495

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

McDowell Reds, AZ

Hiking		Feb 01 2025
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,495

Hiking	10.00 Miles	3,166 AEG

Hiking	10.00 Miles
	3,166 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

Thompson Peak from Dixie Mine TH

Sonoran Trail - MMRP

Peak 3804 - MSP

Peak 3702 - MSP

Partners

partners

AZHiker456

This was a hike to 3 "red peaks" in the McDowell Mountains. In the @azhiker456 vernacular, a red peak is a ranked peak, i.e. a peak with 300+ feet of prominence.

In sequence, our 3 peaks on the hike are listed below.
1) Peak 3804
2) Peak 3702, aka Doubletop Mountain
3) Thompson Peak

We started from the Golden Eagle TH in Fountain Hills and did a clockwise lasso loop. After going through the Eagles Nest subdivision we got on the Dixie Mine Trail and took it to the Sonoran Trail. The Sonoran Trail took us into the Fountain Hills preserve and we went off-trail up to Peak 3804. From the Sonoran Trail we followed a very good use trail up to the summit. We hung out there a bit and then descended down to a saddle below Peak 3702, aka Doubletop.

We made a fun scramble up to Peak 3702, which was the highlight of the day. We then continued on to the summit of the lower of the 2 "doubletops", and then made our way to Thompson Peak Road and up to Thompson Peak. We took the standard route back to the TH from Thompson Peak.

This was a fun day and the hike exceeded my expectations. Thanks to Amy for going on this one!

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Fountain Lake Mount Ord Peak 3804 - MSP Thompson Peak

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Sunrise

_____________________

Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

1 archive

221020

Jan 19 2025

Thompson Peak from Adero Canyon TH

Guides 100
Routes 1,602
Photos 16,619
Triplogs 1,495

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Thompson Peak from Adero Canyon TH

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 19 2025
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,495

Hiking	14.96 Miles	3,365 AEG

Hiking	14.96 Miles	7 Hrs 4 Mns	2.37 mph
	3,365 ft AEG	45 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

Mesquite Hollow Trail - FHP

Promenade Trail - FHP

Sonoran Trail - MMRP

Lower Sonoran Trail - FHP

Partners

none

no partners

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

I hiked up to Thompson Peak from Adero Canyon today.

It was a tad cold at the early morning start, but warmed up once the sun came up.

There weren't many people out at this part of the preserve, which was nice.

_____________________

Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

220590

Nov 04 2024

Guides 100
Routes 1,602
Photos 16,619
Triplogs 1,495

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 04 2024
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,495

Hiking	11.48 Miles	1,627 AEG

Hiking	11.48 Miles	5 Hrs 3 Mns	2.60 mph
	1,627 ft AEG	38 Mns Break

Linked

Partners

none

no partners

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

I decided to stay close to home and do this hike again today. I did the loop CW, and also took a side trip up to Bell Pass.

We had some rain yesterday afternoon and the trail was a tad soft early, but it was drying out pretty good on the way back.

_____________________

Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

218906

Oct 22 2024

pseudalpine

Guides 72
Routes 1,186
Photos 1,493
Triplogs 1,543

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Oct 22 2024
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,543

Hiking	11.72 Miles	1,666 AEG

Hiking	11.72 Miles	3 Hrs 58 Mns	3.14 mph
	1,666 ft AEG	14 Mns Break

no photosets

Linked

7 linked trail guides

Dixie Mine Ridgeline - McDowells

Partners

none

no partners

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

Slightly crispy desert near the trailhead.

5 archives

218619

Oct 20 2024

Guides 100
Routes 1,602
Photos 16,619
Triplogs 1,495

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Bell Pass from Dixie Mine, AZ

Hiking		Oct 20 2024
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,495

Hiking	9.35 Miles	1,418 AEG

Hiking	9.35 Miles	4 Hrs 6 Mns	2.61 mph
	1,418 ft AEG	31 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

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

I had not done this hike in a while so I decided to take advantage of a nice morning and stay close to home by doing this hike.

There were a few people out but the trails certainly weren't crowded.

It looks like it will be warming up again soon, but it was nice to hike in some cooler weather.

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Sunrise

_____________________

Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

218564

Sep 21 2024

Thompson Peak from Dixie Mine TH

Guides 100
Routes 1,602
Photos 16,619
Triplogs 1,495

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Thompson Peak from Dixie Mine TH

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Sep 21 2024
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,495

Hiking	9.84 Miles	2,246 AEG

Hiking	9.84 Miles	4 Hrs 39 Mns	2.35 mph
	2,246 ft AEG	28 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Partners

none

no partners

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

I have not done this hike in a while, and with the temps being a bit cooler I decided to head up to Thompson's Peak.

It turned out to be a nice morning for the hike, and it was almost cool sitting up at the summit.

There were a few people heading up to the summit, but not as many as I expected for a Saturday.

_____________________

Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

2 archives

217972

May 25 2024

Guides 100
Routes 1,602
Photos 16,619
Triplogs 1,495

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Bell Pass from Dixie Mine, AZ

Hiking		May 25 2024
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,495

Hiking	9.22 Miles	1,415 AEG

Hiking	9.22 Miles	3 Hrs 36 Mns	2.70 mph
	1,415 ft AEG	11 Mns Break

Linked

linked