when | January 18, 2025 Saturday | ||
Trip Report : February 13, 2021 | |||
Trip Report : February 13, 2016 | |||
Trip Report : January 16, 2010 | |||
where | McDowell Sonoran Preserve | ||
the hike |
This is a special spot that looks a bit different from the rest of the
McDowell Mountains!
Tom’s Thumb is a prominent granite bump in the McDowell Mountain Preserve,
easily visible from the Scottsdale area.
This is a steady and pretty steep climb with interesting rock formations and
views along the way and at the top. This trail has loose gravel so hiking poles are needed, especially going down. We will reward ourselves by spending some time exploring the rock garden-like area around Tom’s Thumb, including a pseudo-cave (consisting of a narrow passage leading to a partial enclosure in the midst of giant boulders). We can also go to The Lookout near Tom’s Thumb, which has great views of almost 360 degrees. Great photo opportunities! This is about 5.1 miles Tom, will continue on and do the Windgate Pass loop for 11 miles. Tom Thumb trailhead has restrooms, but no water. You will need: • gloves (sharp boulders) • hiking stick (several steep sections; 2 sticks preferred) • hiking boots with good traction (due to the trail’s pea-sized gravel) • sunscreen • snacks • water • rain gear • camera |
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distance | 5 or 11 miles | ||
time | 5-7 hours | ||
EC | +-1000 to +/- 2000 elevation change | ||
elevations | 2800' (Trailhead) to 3800' (Tom’s Thumb area) | ||
type | In/out or Lollipop Loop | ||
starting at |
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on trail | 100% — Tom’s Thumb Trail, Lookout Trail, Windgate | ||
rating | "C or B+" Rate yourself as a hiker. | ||
dogs allowed | no | ||
cost | The club allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member. | ||
weather | Scottsdale | ||
leader |
You must email the leader to confirm. This hike is co-led by Tom. Limit of 20 hikers. |
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meet |
8:30 AM at the AJ’s Finer Foods parking lot, 18271 N. Pima Rd., just north
of Loop 101 in Scottsdale (DC Ranch Crossing shopping center). We will make
carpooling arrangements here, as there is limited parking at the trailhead.
Directions to AJ’s: Take the Loop 101 to Exit #36 Pima/Princess Rd., 0.6 mi. north to AJ’s: parking lot on the east (right) side of the street. (NOTE: There are two exits on Loop 101 that say Pima Rd. Do NOT take exit #42, which is Pima / 90th Street). |
drive |
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