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| - McDowell mountain preserve offers several hiking trails and Tom's Thumb is one of them. From the north parking, you will gain about 1,100 feet in altitude to the 3,925 feet. Trail is well marked and it is rated moderate but it was relatively easy for those who hike other moderate trails every week.
We started shortly before 6am. We were the first one to park as it was raining until a couple minutes ago. Rumor said touching the TT will bring you good luck, so we all touched it. Boulders are larger than south side of the McDowell Mountain preserve and I thought I saw more wild flowers on North side than south side. On the way back, I couldn't keep my camera in my backpack as there were too many beautiful flowers, I couldn't' help myself but take lots of pictures.
After you make it to the Tom's Thumb, I highly recommend going to the lookout (TL3) for a very nice view of the valley. We are so close to the city but the view from the lookout, you feel like you are so far away from the city.
As many other reviewers said, be sure to bring plenty of water, wear good hiking shoes (my friend slipped on the way back despite of very good hiking boots she had), hats, hiking poles (to help you going down). I think I consumed about 1.0 litter of water while my friend consumed almost 3.0 litter of water during our three hours/ five miles hike in the very cold morning.
Hike itself may be easy for those who hikes all the time but the views were amazingly beautiful. The distance is just right to get good amount of workout.
We took Dynamite to 128th street and kept going on gravel road as we had SUV. The other way to get there is from Pima to right on Happy Valley road, right on Ranch Gate road, then to right on 128th. Plenty of parking and not as nearly as crowded as others around the valley.
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