Arizona Oddities

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Your Guides
  • Departments
    • Art
    • Dose of History
    • Culture
    • Natural Surroundings
    • Odd Observations
    • Weather Talk
    • Food & Dining
    • Small Town Scene
    • Recreation
    • Only in Arizona
  • Get the Books
  • Contact Us

logo

Arizona Oddities

  • Home
  • Your Guides
  • Departments
    • Art
    • Dose of History
    • Culture
    • Natural Surroundings
    • Odd Observations
    • Weather Talk
    • Food & Dining
    • Small Town Scene
    • Recreation
    • Only in Arizona
  • Get the Books
  • Contact Us
Odd ObservationsRecreationValley of the Sun
Home›Odd Observations›Face in the Rocks Along Tom’s Thumb Trail, McDowell Mountains

Face in the Rocks Along Tom’s Thumb Trail, McDowell Mountains

By Andrea Aker
July 4, 2011
5150
1

Tom’s Thumb Trail, on the north side of the McDowell Mountains, is dotted with curious rock formations, especially this particular boulder bearing a striking resemblance to one of Snow White’s seven dwarfs.

Could this be Tom? The figure appears near one of the final bends leading to the summit (aka Tom’s Thumb). What do you think?

Tom’s Thumb Trail, Facts at a Glance

Face in the Rocks at Tom's Thumb Trail

Face in the Rocks at Tom's Thumb Trail. Photo Credit: Beth Cochran

Want to see it for yourself? Tom’s Thumb Trail is ideal for hikers seeking a bit of a challenge. The trail kicks off with a series of steep, somewhat slippery switchbacks. It levels off among classic Sonoran Preserve beauty – granite boulders, numerous cacti species and lots of lizards that liven up the neatly manicured trail. Views of Scottsdale’s urban sprawl are visible at the peak.

This route was revamped in early 2009. Prior to that, the trail was pretty primitive and known mainly to rock climbers who repelled down the area’s steep facades. Here’s what you need to know if you go:

  • Trail Length: 4.25 miles roundtrip
  • Elevation Gain: 800 feet
  • Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
  • North access: From the Loop 101, take the Pima Road/Princess exit and head north to Dynamite. Turn right. Head east to 128th Street and turn right again. Continue south about 3.25 miles along the dirt road. Follow signs to temporary trailhead parking.

Trailhead Renovation

Tom’s Thumb Trailhead is about to get a major facelift. This fall, construction is slated for a new parking and recreation area. According the City of Scottsdale website, the trailhead will include parking for at least 120 passenger vehicles (additional phases could bring the total up to 300 spaces), parking for 10 horse trailers, hitching rails, bike racks, restrooms and ramadas. Get more construction info.

Tom’s Thumb Trail, on the north side of the McDowell Mountains, is dotted with curious rock formations, especially this particular boulder bearing a striking resemblance to one of Snow White’s seven dwarfs.

Could this be Tom? Perhaps. The figure appears near one of the final bends leading to the summit (aka Tom’s Thumb). What do you think? Have you seen it?

Tom’s Thumb Trail, Facts at a Glance

Want to see it for yourself? Tom’s Thumb Trail is ideal for hikers seeking a bit of a challenge. The trail kicks off with a series of steep, somewhat slippery switchbacks. It levels off among classic Sonoran Preserve beauty – granite boulders, numerous cacti species and lots of lizards that liven up the neatly manicured trail. Views of Scottsdale’s urban sprawl are visible with the peak.

This route was revamped in early 2009. Prior to that, the trail was pretty primitive and known mainly to rock climbers who repelled down the area’s steep facades. Here’s what you need to know if you go:

·Trail Length: 4.25 miles roundtrip

·Elevation Gain: 800 feet

·Difficulty: Moderately strenuous

·North access: From the Loop 101, take the Pima Road/Princess exit and head north to Dynamite. Turn right. Head east to 128th Street and turn right again. Continue south about 3.25 miles along the dirt road. Follow signs to temporary trailhead parking.

What’s Next

Tom’s Thumb Trailhead is about to get a major facelift. This fall, construction is slated for a new parking and recreation area. According the City of Scottsdale website, the trailhead will include parking for at least 120 passenger vehicles (additional phases could bring the total up to 300 spaces), parking for 10 horse trailers, hitching rails, bike racks, restrooms and ramadas. Get more construction info.

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Construction/TomsThumb

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/Public+Website/preserve/Tom$!27s+Thumb+Site+Plan.pdf

(Visited 722 times, 1 visits today)

Related Posts:

  1. South Mountain Preserve is Hub for Hikers, Cyclists
  2. Celebrating the Centennial: 11 Hotspots for Outdoor Enthusiasts
  3. McDowell Mountains Aren’t Blast from the Past
  4. Geronimo’s Face In the Rocks
  5. Regulars, Newbies Flock Daily to Piestewa Peak Summit Trail
Tagshikinglandmarksmcdowellsmountainsrock formations

1 comment

  1. Andrea Aker 6 December, 2012 at 07:00 Reply

    Update! Tom’s Thumb trailhead renovation complete: http://www.azcentral.com/community/scottsdale/articles/2012/10/15/20121015celebrations-mark-toms-thumb-trailhead-opening.html

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Arizona Oddities Archive

Most Popular Posts

  • How to Keep Scorpions Away from Your Home
  • How to Keep Javelinas Away from Your Yard
  • What’s With All the Backyard Concrete-Block Fences…
  • Did You Know it’s Against the Law to Grow…
  • Four Deserts, One State

This Week Past Years

2019

  • 5 Facts About the Southwest’s Strangest, Smelliest Inhabitant – The Javelina

2015

  • A Beer Between the Forked Tree in Flagstaff

2014

  • Mow the Lake?

2013

  • Peach-Faced Love Birds Live in the Valley?

2012

  • Walk in the Path of Ancient Hohokam at Sears-Kay Ruin
  • Rest Stop Marks Border of Gadsden Purchase

2010

  • Why Do People Paint Citrus Tree Trunks White?
  • Elephant Feet in Northern Arizona?
  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Find a Famous Writer and Explorer's Mountain Retreat in Greer

    Find a Famous Writer and Explorer’s Historic Mountain Retreat in Greer

    By Taylor Haynes
    July 31, 2020
  • thousands of Mexican free tail bats make Phoenix tunnel their summer home

    Thousands of Mexican Free-Tail Bats Make Phoenix Tunnel Their Summer Home

    By Taylor Haynes
    July 17, 2020
  • How to Keep Scorpions Away from Your Home

    By Andrea Aker
    January 3, 2011
  • Javelina

    How to Keep Javelinas Away from Your Yard

    By Andrea Aker
    November 23, 2011
  • Phil Motta
    on
    August 27, 2021

    Why Does Downtown Phoenix Seem to Have Two Downtowns?

    I know this post ...
  • Carol
    on
    October 17, 2020

    The Tucson Artifacts are the Southwest’s Greatest Hoax

    lol ... these "clues" ...

Follow us

© Copyright 2009 – 2023 Aker Ink, LLC :: Arizona Oddities is published by Aker Ink.