Monday, December 15, 2008

Windgate Pass (Desert Park Trail), AZ - December 14, 2008 - Hiking

I saw about a 15 people on the trail today including 3 mountain bikers.

I parked at the DC Ranch Village Health Club parking lot next to the trailhead in the southeast corner of the parking lot. Address: 18501 N Thompson Peak Pkwy Scottsdale, AZ 85255. Hikers have permission to use the parking lot area per the Scottsdale Preserve Manager. The trailhead is also located at the southeast corner area and is marked with signage in the desert area at the entrance to the preserve.

Awesome hike and its pretty much all up hill climbing all the way to Windgate Pass 3,031 ft. elevation.

This is a shared trail with mountain bikers, hikers, and horses. One mountain biker near the pass used his bell to warn me that he was nearby and was going to pass me.

Nice thing about this hike is that its all downhill once you reach the pass!

Hike: Windgate Pass (Desert Park Trail)
Date: 12/14/2008
Type: Hiking
Time: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Distance: 8.4 miles