Mountain To Town Hike: Tom's Thumb

POSTED BY COURTNEY WILSON | DEC, 9 2018

• Where: Scottsdale, Arizona
• Distance: 4.0 miles Out & Back
• Elevation Gain: 1,236 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Allowed On A Leash

Once you’re ready to go, the trail starts out easy on a relatively flat and smooth trail that goes through desert plants like cactus and creosote bush, which are typical of the area. Then after a half a mile, you reach the switchbacks. This is where it might be slow going for most people - between the steep inclines and the gorgeous vistas in every direction, it’s hard not to stop to rest and admire the view. There are plenty of places to rest along the way because there are boulders to sit on all along the trail, and they seem to get bigger the higher up the mountain you go. The trail levels out again when you’re about a half a mile from the summit and you wind around the hillside through grass and some large boulders.

As you start to reach the summit, you’ll finally see the giant granite rock called Tom’s Thumb. You’ll also probably see rock climbers out trying to conquer the thumb and many other rocks near the summit. The best part isn’t the rock itself though - it’s the view from the top. You get a spectacular view of the mountains throughout the Phoenix area and of the city itself. I was lucky enough to see an insanely gorgeous sunset and the transition into blue hour where all of the city lights were visible.

There is plenty of space to hang out at the summit and enjoy the fruit of your labor for a while. It’s important not to forget that you’re only halfway done! This is an out and back trail, so you go back down the same trail you first came up. You need to be careful here because the rocky desert soil can be loose on the steep trail and you don’t want to slip and fall. Once you’re back to the trailhead, you’ll probably be pretty tired. Since the trail is right on the edge of town, you’re only a few minutes from an abundance of food options to refuel.

Mountain To Town Hike: Tom's Thumb

BY COURTNEY WILSON | DEC, 9 2018

• Where: Scottsdale, Arizona
• Distance: 4.0 miles Out & Back
• Elevation Gain: 1,236 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs: Allowed On A Leash

Once you’re ready to go, the trail starts out easy on a relatively flat and smooth trail that goes through desert plants like cactus and creosote bush, which are typical of the area. Then after a half a mile, you reach the switchbacks. This is where it might be slow going for most people - between the steep inclines and the gorgeous vistas in every direction, it’s hard not to stop to rest and admire the view. There are plenty of places to rest along the way because there are boulders to sit on all along the trail, and they seem to get bigger the higher up the mountain you go. The trail levels out again when you’re about a half a mile from the summit and you wind around the hillside through grass and some large boulders.

As you start to reach the summit, you’ll finally see the giant granite rock called Tom’s Thumb. You’ll also probably see rock climbers out trying to conquer the thumb and many other rocks near the summit. The best part isn’t the rock itself though - it’s the view from the top. You get a spectacular view of the mountains throughout the Phoenix area and of the city itself. I was lucky enough to see an insanely gorgeous sunset and the transition into blue hour where all of the city lights were visible.

There is plenty of space to hang out at the summit and enjoy the fruit of your labor for a while. It’s important not to forget that you’re only halfway done! This is an out and back trail, so you go back down the same trail you first came up. You need to be careful here because the rocky desert soil can be loose on the steep trail and you don’t want to slip and fall. Once you’re back to the trailhead, you’ll probably be pretty tired. Since the trail is right on the edge of town, you’re only a few minutes from an abundance of food options to refuel.