East End via Tom’s Thumb Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve, AZ

Hike East End via Tom’s Thumb Trail McDowell Sonoran Preserve, AZ

Class 2 3.8 miles 1500 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Jan 20, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

East End via Tom’s Thumb Trail GPX Track

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The McDowell Sonoran Preserve hosts a bunch of trails, Tom's Thumb perhaps the most popular. I intended to hike East End and Tom's Thumb, but only realized after starting the hike that Tom's Thumb is a Class 5 endeavor. Dismayed, I decided reaching East End's summit would be my only goal for this short outing and I'd do it hurriedly in order to have ample time for my bigger hike in the McDowell Mountains later today. East End is a nice enough peak and I was still able to see the granitic formations in the area, so not too much of a loss.

I parked at the developed lot built for massive crowds, though fortunately I started early enough to avoid the majority of the traffic. The Tom's Thumb Trail is well-marked and in excellent shape, wide enough that passing fellow hikers isn't a chore. I passed several trail junctions as the Tom's Thumb Trail made its way into the foothills. Though I wouldn't be reaching the summit today, the imposing tower was a cool feature to look up toward. The trail made a bunch of short switchbacks as it weaved up the north side of East End, though the summit wasn't in view. Along the way there are a few named scenic overlooks that I decided to ignore, but these clearly served as a nice resting spot for folks not in a hurry to get to the top.

The Tom's Thumb Trail stopped ascending and traversed horizontally along the slope for a time before reaching an overlook before a short drop. This drop leads to a saddle on the west side of East End, but to reach the summit I wouldn't be going all the way to the saddle. Instead, just after the drop as the trail curves south, a social trail pops in on the left. It's not obscured, though it's easy to miss since it's unmarked. I headed up this overall easy to follow trail, which climbed steeply to the north side of East End. There were some light Class 2 moves here and there. Once at the north side of the peak, the trail continued up the north slope, slightly less obviously, as it weaved around boulders and brush and reached a manmade structure of some sort just below the high point. A cluster of boulder marked the summit, where I took in the morning views outside of Scottsdale.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
East End
4067 ft
1347 rise

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Starting out from the trailhead, East End seen on the left. Tom's Thumb visible on the right. The Tom's Thumb Trail leads through the foothills ahead and ascends the slope in the center.
Starting out from the trailhead, East End seen on the left. Tom's Thumb visible on the right. The Tom's Thumb Trail leads through the foothills ahead and ascends the slope in the center.
After hiking through mostly flat desert, the Tom's Thumb Trail starts ascending.
After hiking through mostly flat desert, the Tom's Thumb Trail starts ascending.
View back as the trail switchbacks up the slope.
View back as the trail switchbacks up the slope.
Cool granitic formations along the trail.
Cool granitic formations along the trail.
Image 4 from gallery
Image 5 from gallery
Tom's Thumb seen on the far right. The trail continues ascending to the left.
Tom's Thumb seen on the far right. The trail continues ascending to the left.
A flatter section before reaching a minor overlook.
A flatter section before reaching a minor overlook.
At the minor overlook, where the Tom's Thumb Trail drops slightly to reach the saddle seen center.
At the minor overlook, where the Tom's Thumb Trail drops slightly to reach the saddle seen center.
However, once the trail drops, look for this social trail on the left to gain the summit of East End.
However, once the trail drops, look for this social trail on the left to gain the summit of East End.
Light Class 2 up the slope, though I didn't lose the social trail as I ascended.
Light Class 2 up the slope, though I didn't lose the social trail as I ascended.
View back, Tom's Thumb seen top right.
View back, Tom's Thumb seen top right.
Nearing the northern slope of East End.
Nearing the northern slope of East End.
Trail slightly steeper as it ascends the north slope of East End to gain the summit.
Trail slightly steeper as it ascends the north slope of East End to gain the summit.
East End summit, view west toward Tom's Thumb (seen right of center).
East End summit, view west toward Tom's Thumb (seen right of center).
East End summit, view toward the McDowell Mountains. McDowell Peak see right, Thompson Peak center.
East End summit, view toward the McDowell Mountains. McDowell Peak see right, Thompson Peak center.
East End summit, view north.
East End summit, view north.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!