The entrance sign at the end of the paved road leading to Tom's Thumb Trailhead.
The rustic covered breezeway of the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoram Preserve at the Tom's Thumb Trailhead.
Access to multiple rock climbing areas off of the Tom's Thumb Trail.
Scenic viewpoint after the first few switchbacks overlooking the MdDowell Mountains and surrounding desert area.
View toward the top of the initial ascent up a number of switchbacks.
Scenic viewpoint after the first few switchbacks overlooking the MdDowell Mountains and surrounding desert area.
Watch out for cactus hiding on the edge of the smooth trail.
Looking out from the ridge after the initial ascent.
Giant cacti are peppered throughout the landscape.
Make sure you don't miss this turn for Tom's Thumb. At first look it appears to be a route specifically for climbers.
Desert cactus flora at Tom's Thumb.
The view from Tom's Thumb looking back at the trail.
The prolific granite slab of rock that is Tom's Thumb.
The rolling hills of enormous boulders are the highlight of this hike.
Desert cactus flora.
The rolling hills of enormous boulders are the highlight of this hike.
A nest bravely constructed in the middle of a desert cactus.
Desert cactus flora.
Wandering through the large boulder fields will make you feel like you're on Mars.
Amazing views of the desert await you on your hike back to the trailhead.
Flowering yucca along the hike to Tom's Thumb.
Emory's globemallow along the hike to Tom's Thumb.
Desert bahia long the hike to Tom's Thumb.
Unidentified species (help us identify it by providing feedback).
Boyce Thompson hedgehog along the hike to Tom's Thumb.
Looking out from the Tom's Thumb Trailhead.