McDowell Mountain Preserve Trailhead

Video filmed by Peter Kosednar.

Windgate Pass Trailhead in the Scottsdale McDowell Mountain Preserve at the DC Ranch Village Health Club + Spa. This health club is located in the DC Ranch golf course community. Plenty of parking for hikers in this large health club parking lot. It is recommended you park in the southeast corner of the parking lot. The health club has given the o.k. for local Phoenix area residents and visitors to park in health club parking lot. A major trail into the McDowell Mountain Preserve and Windgate Pass starts right next to the parking area at the southeast corner of the lot. Look for the brown McDowell Mountain Preserve signage. The Windgate Pass trail is well marked with direction signs. If your hiking group involves young children I recommend that they wear a helmet! This is to protect them if they trip while hiking on this rocky trail. A bicycle, mountain bike helmet, or rock climbing helmet would protect the head in the event of a fall or trip hiking on the trail.

DC Ranch Village Health Club + Spa is located at 18501 North Thompson Peak Parkway Scottsdale, Arizona 85255. The trailhead parking area is in the southeast corner of the parking lot.