Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Marcus Landslide Day Hike
when Trip Report : September 9, 2021
  Trip Report : December 22, 2012
  Trip Report : March 10, 2012
where McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale
the hike     Marcus Landslide Trail is a 4.1 out and back with a small loop at the far end. This is one of the most scenic hikes in the north valley. This is the one you will want to take out of town visitors to for a taste of Arizona. Starting elevation is 2,795' and total elevation gain will be just 378' so it is a fairly flat hike rated easy.
    The trail begins at the parking area for Tom’s Thumb hike. It features a couple of varieties of cholla cactus, teddy bear, the smaller fuzzy ones and a “garden” of the taller chain-fruit cholla which takes on a Dr. Seussian quality, with weirdly drooping branches.
    Rising above the trail at times we’ll see boulders as big as cars and along the toothy ridgeline above them one can imagine all kinds of creatures in the shapes of the rocks.
    The actual slide area is difficult to pick out to the untrained eye, but there is an interpretive marker with some interesting history about it. Scientists believe the landslide occurred 500,000 years ago and estimate 194 million cubic feet of rock and vegetation slid off the side of East End Park, making it the second largest known occurrence in Arizona.
distance 4.1 miles
time 2 hours
EC +-378' elevation change
type figure-6
starting at
Tom’s Thumb Trailhead 33° 41.694' N,  111° 48.032' W  [NAD27]
on trail 100% — Marcus Landslide Trail
cost Sharing gas expenses with the driver.
The club allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
rating "C"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs allowed no
weather Scottsdale
meet 6:00 AM Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
drive
•  From Loop 101 exit northbound on Hayden Road.
• Continue north on Hayden Road to Thompson Peak Parkway.
•  Turn right onto Thompson Peak Parkway.
• Turn left onto Pima Road.
•  Turn right onto Happy Valley Road.
• Turn right onto Ranch Gate Road.
•  Turn right onto 128th Street.
• Continue south on 128th Street to the trailhead.
• There are toilets at the trailhead but no drinking water.
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updated September 10, 2021 © Copyright 2021, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.