Stage 3 of 4: Westworld Trailhead to Gateway
Trailhead, return
Meeting Time: 6:30 AM
Distance: 10.6 miles
Natural Path: 90% Total Ascent:
749 Feet
Gravel Road: 8% Total Descent:
846 Feet
Pavement: 2%
Stage 3 Starting Point: 15939 N. 98th Street, Scottsdale 85260 From the 101 freeway, Frank Lloyd Wright exit EAST. Continue to Thompson Peak Parkway. Turn LEFT. At East McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, turn LEFT. After .5 miles turn LEFT into Westworld Trailhead, Equestrian facility parking. Restrooms and water available.
Westworld Trailhead to Gateway Trailhead
0.0 mile meet at Westworld
Trailhead. From there take the paved sidewalk (or gravel path alongside). Take
a slight left onto the gravel path and proceed via the underpass. Continue on
the road alongside the golf course until you see the sign for the Quartz Trail.
1.0 mile Take a left towards the Quartz Trail. This path will become much narrower and walks between back yard walls and the golf course. There are a few places where you will cross a sidewalk. Watch out for Golf Carts! Do not turn on paths into areas marked Private.
1.6 mile You will see a sign. Do not turn left for
Quartz Trailhead. Continue on the Quartz Trail and Maricopa Trail. This is a
single track trail that winds through a lush wash. Mainly flat and fairly level
trail. Listen for Cyclists and move to the right to let them pass!
2.5 mile Right on to the
Paradise Trail. This section is slightly more rocky and climbs upward about 300
feet.
3.4 mile Continue on the
Paradise Trail. It will veer slightly left and go along a barb wire fence,
first it will be on your left and then on your right.
3.7 mile Turn left on the
Levee Trail. This downhill section follows an old mining road west, slightly
elevated with great views.
4.4 mile Right on the
Crossover Trail to the Gateway Loop, then turn left on to the Gateway Trail.
This initially follows parallel to the main Gateway Loop Trail, then meets it.
4.75 mile Keep left and
follow the signs to the Gateway Trailhead.
5.15 mile Regroup at
Gateway Trailhead for snacks, water and restrooms.
Gateway Trailhead to Westworld Trailhead
5.15 mile Depart the
Gateway Trailhead via the parking lot. Left through the parking lot to the
Equestrian Bypass Trailhead where you will get on the trail again.
5.45 mile Left on the 104th
Street Trail.
5.85 mile Hard left on to
the Levee Trail. Steady uphill along the old mining road. Wonderful views of
the McDowell Mountains.
6.85 mile Right on Paradise
Trail. From here we will be retracing our steps back along the same route,
initially downhill then flattening out as you walk through the wash.
8.1 mile Right on the
Quartz Trail. Continue under two underpasses following the Quartz / Maricopa
Trail. This will wind past the back yards of houses and along the golf course
back to the gravel road that goes under Thompson Peak Parkway and up to the
Westworld Trailhead.
10.6 mile Success. You made
it!
A total of 15 people have registered so far. The following 15 have opted to share their information.
No records found.
15939
N. 98th Street, Scottsdale 85260
From the 101 freeway, Frank Lloyd Wright exit EAST. Continue to Thompson Peak Parkway. Turn LEFT. At East McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, turn LEFT. After .5 miles turn LEFT into Westworld Trailhead, Equestrian facility parking.
Restrooms and water available.
Darryl is a member of the Valley of the Sun Chapter Core Team. He and his wife Kathleen have led out of town chapter hikes in the Chiricahuas and in Flagstaff and have inspired others to walk the Camino through presentations throughout the Valley. They walked the Camino Frances and Camino Fisterre in 2022 and the Via Francegina (from Lucca to Rome) in 2024 with part of their Camino family. For their Spain Camino they added an additional 200 miles to the route exploring local points of interest and fulfilling their curiosity and love of history and castles. Darryl was the first to remind us that no one has ever come back from the Camino and said, 'I wish I would spent less time...' They have plans to walk the Camino Portuguese in 2026.
If you are running late or need to reach Darryl about questions the walk, please call him at 602.284.1765.
Water, electrolytes and snack (tip: consider freezing a small bottle of water for cool water to drink or pour on yourself)
Hat and/or sunscreen
Your pack or day pack that you plan on walking with (if you are traveling soon).
The clothes (socks, shoes, etc.) you are considering wearing on the Camino.
Personal first aid kit.
Poles with tip covers
Swimsuit, towel and/or change of clothes if using the pool
Cash for the Donativo jar
There are water and restrooms at the Westworld and Gateway Trailheads.
Please stay home if you are feeling sick.
Call or text your hike leader Darryl at 602.284.1765 if you are unable to make it or are running late.
No dogs allowed due to chapter liability.
We will share the trail with other hikers and mountain bikers so despite our engaging conversations we will be aware of our surroundings and courteous by stepping off the trail or walking single file when necessary.
Reminders: Our chapter activities are led by volunteers. Donativo contributions (cash only) are greatly appreciated and are used to support future activities. Look for the orange donativo jar by the signup at the beginning of each hike.
We always gather in the spirit of the Camino. This is a long training hike and hikers/walkers are differently abled and will not finish at the same time. Please review the trail description before signing up to be sure the hike is right for you and your abilities. Please rely on your own navigation tools for route finding.