Route Editor
Route Scout
Cruel and Unusual Punishment by DixieFlyer Overview Thompson Peak Rd. doubles as a service road to the summit of Thompson Peak and a hiking trail to the summit. The trail connects the Dixie Mine Trail to the summit of Thompson Peak, the 3rd highest peak in the McDowell Mountains. Hike Thompson Peak is the most recognizable peak in the McDowell Mountains due to its height and to the communication antennae and towers atop the peak. Thompson Peak Rd. runs 2.3 miles from the Dixie Mine Trail to the Thompson Peak summit, gaining around 1,700' in elevation over that distance. The road is really, really steep in places, and some segments of the road are paved in order to enable service vehicles to get up to and down from the summit. At some points the grade of the road is 35-40 degrees, making it a really tough (some would say brutal) ascent and descent. If you are training for Cactus to Clouds, Rim-to-Rim, or another similar hike, or if you simply want a good workout, hiking this road/trail is a good choice. Hiking this road is best in cooler weather. There is lots of sun exposure, and if you hike it in hot weather you'd best be in good shape and have plenty of water. One other piece of advice: make sure your shoes are tightly tied for the descent! Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
One-Way Notice This hike is listed as One-Way. When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
