Tom's Thumb Trail(edit)

Overview

This is a moderate out and back trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Getting Started

Tom’s Thumb is very popular trail on the North side of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale, AZ. The trail starts at the Tom’s Thumb Trailhead which has plenty of parking and pit toilets but it does not have water. The trail starts out relatively flat and about a .5 mile in you begin the steep climb up the switchbacks that take you up approximately 900 ft to the top of the mountain. Along the way you will see the beautiful rock formations this area is known for. There are large granite boulders all around the area and it is a popular destination for rock climbers. In fact, you will see many trails that branch off the Tom’s Thumb trail leading to rock climbing areas. After you make it to the top of the mountain and continue East on the trail you will make it over to Tom’s Thumb. This is a 140 foot plug of granite that sits on the ridge line of the mountain and was named after a famous climber, Tom Kreuser. The views are amazing and you can have a lot fun climbing around on the granite boulders at the base of Tom’s Thumb.

Taking Children

Children would enjoy this hike and have fun playing on the rocks.