Elevation: 3,000 ft
GPS: 33.68174, -111.81143
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Page Views: 49,448 total · 235/month
Shared By: Anonymous Climber on Feb 21, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen
Access Issue: Access: Details
Access Issue: Seasonal Closure Lifted -2016 Details

Description

Tom's Thumb is a prominent 140-foot plug of desert granite that perches atop the McDowell Mountains ridgeline. It is visible from miles in all directions. Originally called "The Dork" by the old time Phoenix climbers, it was rechristened Tom's Thumb in honor of climber Tom Kreuser back in the day.

The rock and the routes on Tom's Thumb are mostly in the excellent range. The harder routes here are some of the best you'll find on any granite crag in the Phoenix area. Because of the slightly burly approach, and the general notion that granite climbing is out of style these days in Phoenix, you're not likely to have to share any routes while visiting the Thumb.

Beautiful, incredibly classic place to climb.

Getting There

Approach starts from Tom's Thumb Trailhead. Hike all the way up the Tom's Thumb Trail. Continue past the intersection with the East End Trail (marker EE1 - sign) as the trail turns westward. A short while later, you'll run across an access trail (marker TT7) and a right turn that will take you to Tom's Thumb. Expect a lot of company on this, it is a very popular destination with hikers. The hike is around 2.25 miles.

A fun day of moderate climbing can also be done by approaching Gardener's Wall, climbing a route to the top, and then downclimbing off the back and hiking up to Tom's Thumb for more fun!

17 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Tom's Thumb

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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