Tom's Thumb Trailhead

this in the past was a great place to hike in solitude but with the development of the beautiful facility and VERY large parking lot you will have plenty of company. if you hiked here before it was developed you will note the lower trail has been moved with a new track with good trail of switchbacks. this does make it accessible to more people. there are many other trails to explore other than the hike to the thumb that do not require as much climbing. if you are mt biking those are the trails you will probably prefer. the Scottsdale trails all connect and the trail system is huge. you can also connect to Mcdowell Mt Regional Park, which is also Huge.

I booked a trip to the Greater Phoenix area to do some hiking and enjoy the sunshine. Of all of my hikes, this was my favorite. Though it was not the most technical, it was the most beautiful hike that I completed this week. This out amd back hike offered a good workout and amazing views. I highly recommend!

A challenging but rewarding 2.2-mile hike to the iconic Tom’s Thumb rock formation. The trail is steep and strenuous, demanding consistent effort and plenty of breaks — think of it as a workout with incredible views as your reward. Carry at least 2 liters of water, as there’s good shade for most of the hike. Perfect for hikers looking for a tough climb, scenic desert vistas, and a sense of accomplishment at the top.

Moderate to hard hike. Bring water, snacks, trail shoes and energy. Parking is huge but no water on site. Be prepared. Follow trail marks and stay on the trail.

We went to Marcus Landslide Trail and loved it. There were many vista point, different information plaques, and great signage to keep you on your toes trail. We started at the equestrian parking lot which had ample spots available. We could see all the way to Fountains Hills from the loop portion of our hike. There was no water on the trail, so come prepared.

Trail is well marked. The first 1.3 miles are uphill switchbacks which turned into rolling hills until final ascent to the top.

So beautiful! The scenery is straight out of a painting. As a man from Ohio and not used to hiking, this was a challenge but very doable.

4 mile out and back to Tom's Thumb, with plenty of shade at the top. The first 1.5m is all incline after the flats. The rock/gravel is loose as a woman fell today, so please be careful. The incline is gradual with switchbacks. The trail then tends to plateau at times, making it more of a nature walk, so hang in there. Make sure to check out all the overlooks to the top as they contain some nice captures. These boulder formations are incredibly unique. If the top of Tom's has high traffic, hike around back on the left, and you'll have some nice, lined up views with nobody in sight.