Gateway Trailhead

Name: Gateway to Windgate Pass Hike
Start: 2025-11-25T09:00:00-07:00
End: 2025-11-25T12:30:00-07:00
Location: Gateway Trailhead

18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255 United States Get Directions

https://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/gateway

Events at this venue

January 2026
January 24 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Venom in the Desert – Educational Walk

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Venom in the Desert from Gateway Trailhead. Some reptiles and arthropods in the Sonoran Desert use venom or other poisons to defend themselves or subdue their prey. Learn how to recognize these animals that bite and sting and the effect of their venom. Join us on an easy 1.5 hour walk. Restrooms and water are […]

Free
January 18 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sonoran Sundays – Mammals of the Sonoran Desert (Guest Presenter: Maricopa Parks and Recreation)

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Sonoran Sundays - Mammals of the Sonoran Desert (Guest Presenter: Maricopa Parks and Recreation) Want to learn more about the Sonoran Desert’s amazing mammals? Would you like some tips to increase your chances of seeing wildlife while hiking? Then you’re going to want to join Ranger Kevin of Maricopa Parks and Recreation for a closer […]
January 10 @ 9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Windgate Pass/Bell Pass Loop Hike

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Windgate Pass/Bell Pass Loop from Gateway Trailhead. Ready for a great workout? Then this Very Difficult hike in the heart of the southern McDowells is for you. We go to Windgate Pass and around to Bell Pass before returning to the trailhead. 9.3 miles for about 5 hours with over 2000 ft. of elevation gain. […]

Free
January 8 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Poisonous Arthropods in the Preserve – Educational Walk

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Poisonous Arthropods in the Preserve at Gateway Trailhead. Arthropods are the most diverse of all animals, comprising over 85 percent of all living animal species! A variety of arthropods in the Sonoran Desert use poisons for defense against predators or to kill or immobilize prey. Some of these animals are also venomous, like scorpions, but […]

Free
January 3 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sonoran Desert 101 – Educational Walk

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Sonoran Desert 101 at Gateway Trailhead. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive. Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of […]

Free
December 2025
December 25, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

Christmas Day Hike

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Christmas Day Hike at Gateway Trailhead. Embrace the spirit of the holiday on this picturesque hike on the Gateway Loop that will take you into the heart of the McDowells. This is a moderate hike of 4.5 miles in about 2.5 hours with significant elevation gain of 700 ft. Restrooms and water available at the […]

Free
December 9, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Gateway to Inspiration Point Hike

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Gateway to Inspiration Point at Gateway Trailhead. This Moderate hike has above average elevation gains and will be geared for those that do not frequently do elevation hikes. For this 6-mile hike with about 750 feet of elevation gain up to the Point, we plan on taking 2.5 to 3 hours with frequent stops and […]

Free
December 7, 2025 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sonoran Sundays – Sonoran Sparing: Desert Birds of Prey (Guest Presenter: Wild at Heart)

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Sonoran Sparing: Desert Birds of Prey (Guest Presenter: Wild at Heart) Enjoy an up-close meeting with native birds of prey by Wild at Heart, a local raptor rescue, rehabilitation and release center for these kinds of bird. Learn why these remarkable birds are rescued, how they can be rehabilitated and released back into the wild, […]
December 4, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am

The World of Arthropods – Educational Walk

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

The World of Arthropods at Gateway Trailhead Spiders, scorpions, bees, and wasps are just the beginning--there are more species of Arthropods in the world than any other group of animals. Join us on an easy 2 hour walk to discover the fascinating and diverse world of Arthropods and their role in the ecology of the […]

Free
November 2025
November 30, 2025 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sonoran Sundays – Sonoran Desert Life (Guest Presenter: Phoenix Zoo Educators)

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Sonoran Desert Life (Guest Presenter: Phoenix Zoo Educators) Join Phoenix Zoo for a fascinating look at why the best thing we can do for desert animals like snakes and tortoises is often… nothing at all. Learn what to do (and not to do) when you encounter these creatures in the wild, and why well meaning […]
November 29, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Sonoran Desert 101 – Educational Walk

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Sonoran Desert 101 at Gateway Trailhead. This walk provides a geological and ecological overview of what lives in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and how the flora and fauna survive and thrive. Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before start of […]

Free
November 25, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Gateway to Windgate Pass Hike

Gateway Trailhead 18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Gateway to Windgate Pass from Gateway Trailhead. Head up to Windgate Pass on this Very Difficult hike with a visit to Inspiration Viewpoint. Along the way, you may see some wildflowers that only grow at higher elevations such as the Mariposa Lily. 7.5 miles over about 3.5 – 4 hours with elevation gain of 1,300 […]

Free

Gateway Trailhead

Events at this venue

January 2026

Venom in the Desert – Educational Walk

Sonoran Sundays – Mammals of the Sonoran Desert (Guest Presenter: Maricopa Parks and Recreation)

Poisonous Arthropods in the Preserve – Educational Walk

Sonoran Desert 101 – Educational Walk

December 2025

Christmas Day Hike

Sonoran Sundays – Sonoran Sparing: Desert Birds of Prey (Guest Presenter: Wild at Heart)

The World of Arthropods – Educational Walk

November 2025

Sonoran Sundays – Sonoran Desert Life (Guest Presenter: Phoenix Zoo Educators)

Sonoran Desert 101 – Educational Walk

Follow Us!

Newsletter

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by unsubscribing.

We've got a new look!

We're excited about the changes!

Please contact us if you experience any technical issues.