Temporary Seasonal Closure - North Face Tom's Thumb - falcons

Temporary Rock Climbing Closure – North Face of Tom’s Thumb
Beginning on February 1, 2017, the northern face of Tom’s Thumb is temporarily closed to public access to protect sensitive birds of prey that are nesting in that area. THE TOM’S THUMB TRAIL REMAINS OPEN. Wildlife biologists and volunteers from the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Field Institute have identified a pair of Prairie Falcons that have established a nest in a rocky crag on the north face of Tom’s Thumb. The temporary closure restricts public access to the northern base of the Thumb, and limits rock climbing access on a handful of climbs on the northern face. The Tom’s Thumb Trail remains open to public access, and people can still approach the eastern base of the Thumb. Temporary fencing and closure signs are in place that restrict access to the northern side, and we ask that the public obey all closure signs. If you do climb to the top of the Thumb via the south face, we ask that you stay away from the northern edge, as human presence in that area can negatively impact the nesting falcons.

This year’s temporary closure is the same as the temporary closure that was implemented in this same area the last two years. Similarly, we anticipate the closure to last through mid-June. The biologists will continue to monitor the nesting pair, and the closure will be lifted once the juvenile birds have safely fledged from the nest.

For more information, please visit the City’s website at ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search for “Preserve.”