Tom's Thumb Hike | What Is It and How Does It Rank? | Scottsdale, AZ

[@tom-u2x1e]

Glen, I enjoyed your video of your hike to Tom's Thumb. It was very complete and gives one a good look at what to expect when hiking to The Thumb. I especially liked your "confession" at the end on the dangers of hiking in hot weather. I think your truthful comments will be a help to other hikers and may make others think more carefully before hiking in hot weather. I have a special connection with Tom's Thumb. I am the TOM of Tom's Thumb. Yes, as you said "a dude" who climbed there in the early days. Here are some details....I hiked cross country to the base of Tom's Thumb with two friends, Diana Hartrim and Bill Sewrey. This was in the fall of 1963. In September it will be 60 years since we did a roped climb to the summit by The Standard Route. I was the first leader from the Arizona Mountaineering Club to lead a climb to the summit. At the monthly meeting of the then newly formed club I reported on the climb. The President of the AMC, Doug Black, suggested we call it Tom's Thumb. So, Tom's Thumb came into common usage over the years with climbers and hikers. I was one of the honored guests at the opening of the Tom's Thumb Trail and trailhead with the Mayor and other honored guests a few years ago. The "ribbon cutting" was done with two climbing ropes being unclipped when a caribiner (climbing snap link) was undone between them. I was nineteen years old when I first climbed Tom's Thumb. In August I will be turning 79. Wishing you many more happy hikes and safe journeys. Tom Kreuser (Ps..Tom's Thumb is the common usage name for the peak. The Board who oversees the Official naming of landmarks says in order for it to be officially named for me, I would have to be dead for five years AND some one would have to request it be named. For that reason I am in no great hurry for it to be officially named for me. Common usage is good enough..... My fifteen minutes of fame.

[@CactusAtlas]

Oh my gosh. Thank you SO much for your comment and sharing the information about the climb! Don't blame you one bit about not being in a hurry for the official naming of the peak. 😅 Really appreciate you stopping to take a moment and comment.

[@AdventureMikeTime]

Very cool ! going to tackle this one on Tuesday. This gave me good insight of whats in store for me ! awesome videos keep going!

[@CactusAtlas]

Awesome! Thank you! Have a great hike! 😄👍

[@heidia6270]

I hiked Tom’s Thumb today. It was a tough hike, a lot of elevation. It was in the 70s today and perfect. I couldn’t do that at 90 degrees! That would be tough! Good job! I had to take many breaks on those switchbacks to catch my breath. The views are definitely spectacular!

[@CactusAtlas]

Agree. The elevation gain in the heat can really sneak up on you. 👍

[@heidia6270]

@@CactusAtlas it sure can! I’ve been out here 16 hrs and I have learned my limits the hard way!

[@HaswellTravelled]

Wonderful hike! The first view of Tom's Thumb didn't look that big - until I saw you walking up to it - it is big! Good you found some shade. Thanks for sharing and have a great day 😀👍

[@CactusAtlas]

Yeah, it appears deceivingly small until you reach it for sure! Thanks for watching and the comment! 😄

[@mikeanderson9266]

LOVE Arizona such a great place! Did the hike today with 2 friends it was not that bad at all! Saw a rattlesnake 3 feet away we went with no water too this guy played it up for sure.

[@CactusAtlas]

Couple things… I hiked this in July, you hiked it in November. Quite a difference in AZ during the seasons. And, you are probably in much better shape than I! I see some folks run trails like this with ease, and I’ve seen people rescued via helicopters 🚁 from trails like this. All depends on the person! Very jealous that you got to see a rattler though and I did not.

[@CactusAtlas]

Also want to chime in that Glenn hikes while filming which often entails hiking the trail essentially twice to get far off shots like those in this video. Not exactly a quick hike when temps hover around 100 degrees.

[@SwiftyTravels]

I lived there for seven years and never heard of that spot! Congrats on making it! I was quite worried about hiking out there on a phx afternoon in July YIKES! Up at the top with all the rocks remind me a lot of the Sandia Mountains in ABQ.

[@CactusAtlas]

Hahaha! He's kind of nuts, isn't he? I always wonder how anyone can stand hiking in the heat but for some reason Glenn loves it. And despite him telling me about Tom's Thumb I've never heard anyone else mention it here so I don't think you're alone. 😊

[@ryanhudson5643]

I think the reason there's hardly any saguaros on the tombs thumb hike is because it's on the cooler north side of the mountain and saguaros disappear at a lower elevation and. The cool wind from the near by lakes probably hits the north side of the mountain more then the south side and makes it even cooler then it already would be so mabey it's just a bit too cold in winter for a decent population of saguaros to grow there.

[@CactusAtlas]

Very plausible explanation! We tend to think about higher elevation being the reason as evidence when climbing out of the valley along I-17 because it is so obvious but winds bringing in cooler weather would very much explain it. 👍

[@ryanhudson5643]

@@CactusAtlas yah and the tombs trailhead is at a pretty decent elevation at around 3000 ft almost the same elevation as cottonwood or camp verde but it's kinda unexpected since it's so close to phx.

[@TheAdventureBuddies]

Wonderful video and lovely hike for sure 👏

[@CactusAtlas]

Many thanks! It really was!

[@photolifetravel9108]

Nice video, glad you made it back safe. Hiking in the direct sun is no joke.

[@CactusAtlas]

You got that right! The trade off is less people which these days isn't a bad thing. 🤔

[@markgorton5865]

Glad you made it through. I said to my wife where the heck did he leave camera right before you explained it.

[@CactusAtlas]

That, one was pushing it. Was a long walk, that’s for sure. I suppose I could use the exercise! 😂

[@fatmanhikes]

Good video dude!

[@CactusAtlas]

Thanks! Glad you liked it! 😄

[@gstiles7]

wow didn't know we had that hidden gem so close

[@CactusAtlas]

Curious, isn't it? And after Glenn's sweat angels on it, maybe it is more of one! 🤣

[@tpseeker3367]

Butt didja scratch & sniff it? Yeah were no Spring Chickens anymore. Glad yer alright Glenn. Psssttt Garmin 🙄

[@SomeplaceOrAnother]

Toms thumb looks a lot bigger up close

[@CactusAtlas]

Doesn't it though? Driving around town you'd never realize it is actually as big as it is.

[@corbinglenn2567]

Strange it’s one of the few things that does

[@heidia6270]

I so agree! I also don’t think it looks anything like a thumb! 😂

[@owlenfamily]

tom doth biteth his thumb at thee and thine assumption of ease of yonder stroll

[@CactusAtlas]

Indeed he did, and rightfully so.