Class 3 2.2 miles 1300 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Jan 20, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Thumb Peak GPX Track

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We noted Thumb Peak as a high-prominence KOFA high point from the top of Castle Dome Peak and with a lot of time left today, decided to set out to attempt a route to the summit. Part of the adventure was a very long drive on a Big Eye Mine Road to its end. We took Matt's Jeep, and while the road was in decent shape, there were a couple of steep washes and rocky sections that my car likely couldn't get past. We had no idea how much fun this peak would be, a cryptic route-find on fun Class 3 rock. We were quite happy we made the long-ass drive out there. 

Once at the trailhead, just a fence in the wash at the end of the road, we continued west up the wash for a short time before ascending south through a side drainage to its head, which led us to a slope to the northeast of Thumb Peak. Keeping generally in the middle of the slope to avoid the worst of the steepening Class 2 loose stuff, we ascended toward a series of rock pinnacles above, separated by notches. We guessed at a good notch to ascend to, and were pleasantly surprised to have chosen well. Photos below may be more helpful. Once at the notch of choice, we dropped over to the south side of the pinnacle-filled ridge and traversed southwest for a short time, hugging the pinnacles. Eventually the terrain became too steep on the south side of the pinnacles, and the route-finding began in earnest. To our right, a sustained Class 3 mostly solid rock rib took us up to the ridgeline, where a terrifying view north toward the pinnacles we had avoided showed us we were on a good route. We attempted to follow the ridgeline, but were almost immediately cliffed out, instead finding a Class 3 downclimb to the north side of the pinnacles. An interesting and colorful slope led us southwest, avoiding the final massive set of pinnacles. Some short Class 2/3 moves led to the top of the slope to a shallow notch, east of Thumb Peak. We continued on easy terrain to the summit of Thumb Peak, where we were giddy with excitement at how much fun the route ended up being. The views around KOFA were incredibly cool, especially with the gloomy dying light.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Thumb Peak
3407 ft
1047 rise

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Thumb Peak visible center. We followed a drainage and then headed up the slopes ahead.
Thumb Peak visible center. We followed a drainage and then headed up the slopes ahead.
Looking back as we navigate the slopes.
Looking back as we navigate the slopes.
Thumb Peak on the right, lots of pinnacles to contend with first. We ascended the slope. Our notch of choice that worked well to get to the south side of the ridge was the one to just left of center in this photo.
Thumb Peak on the right, lots of pinnacles to contend with first. We ascended the slope. Our notch of choice that worked well to get to the south side of the ridge was the one to just left of center in this photo.
Looking back down the slope as we ascend to the notch.
Looking back down the slope as we ascend to the notch.
Now on the south side of the ridge, looking back toward the notch we came through.
Now on the south side of the ridge, looking back toward the notch we came through.
Sheer cliffs visible ahead. Our route hugs the slope on the right until the terrain really rough and cliff-riddled, and then we ascended to the right up to the ridge.
Sheer cliffs visible ahead. Our route hugs the slope on the right until the terrain really rough and cliff-riddled, and then we ascended to the right up to the ridge.
Our chosen rock rib to ascend to the summit.
Our chosen rock rib to ascend to the summit.
Class 3 fun on mostly solid rock. You can see the sheer cliffs on the left, the reason we decided to ascend here. Thumb Peak is hidden behind the cliffs out of view above Matt somewhere.
Class 3 fun on mostly solid rock. You can see the sheer cliffs on the left, the reason we decided to ascend here. Thumb Peak is hidden behind the cliffs out of view above Matt somewhere.
Image 8 from gallery
On the ridge after ascending the Class 3 rock rib, Thumb Peak visible ahead on the right. We attempted the ridge, but were almost immediately cliffed out. Instead, we located a Class 3 downclimb on the right. It accessed the lightly-colored slope visible in the center of this photo. The slope would then take us up Class 2 to a shallow notch at its head.
On the ridge after ascending the Class 3 rock rib, Thumb Peak visible ahead on the right. We attempted the ridge, but were almost immediately cliffed out. Instead, we located a Class 3 downclimb on the right. It accessed the lightly-colored slope visible in the center of this photo. The slope would then take us up Class 2 to a shallow notch at its head.
The Class 3 downclimb to access the slope.
The Class 3 downclimb to access the slope.
Looking back toward the Class 3 downclimb (right), as we continue on the north side of the ridgeline up the slope.
Looking back toward the Class 3 downclimb (right), as we continue on the north side of the ridgeline up the slope.
At the head of the Class 2 slope at the shallow notch, looking toward Thumb Peak. Straightforward to the summit from here.
At the head of the Class 2 slope at the shallow notch, looking toward Thumb Peak. Straightforward to the summit from here.
Just below the Thumb Peak summit, looking back the way we came.
Just below the Thumb Peak summit, looking back the way we came.
Thumb Peak summit, view down toward the ridgeline we ascended. You can see how jagged the pinnacles are.
Thumb Peak summit, view down toward the ridgeline we ascended. You can see how jagged the pinnacles are.
Thumb Peak summit , view north toward Castle Dome Peak (left) and Signal Peak (distant right).
Thumb Peak summit , view north toward Castle Dome Peak (left) and Signal Peak (distant right).

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!