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Thimble Peak - 16 members in 53 triplogs have rated this an average 4.6 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3  Next
53 triplogs
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Nov 18 2023
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 569
 Photos 11,976
 Triplogs 1,634

50 female
 Joined Sep 18 2009
 Tucson, AZ
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 18 2023
GrottoGirl • Triplogs 1,634
Hiking11.05 Miles 2,389 AEG
Hiking11.05 Miles   6 Hrs   22 Mns   2.19 mph
2,389 ft AEG   1 Hour   19 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Nice day for a trip up the Thimble. I accidentally started up the technical route. When I spotted rappel anchors I realized my mistake. Nothing like doing a down climb knowing that others rappelled….
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Dec 20 2022
avatar

 Photos 268
 Triplogs 17

female
 Joined Mar 12 2021
 Seattle, WA
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 20 2022
rubywrangler • Triplogs 17
Hiking10.50 Miles 2,375 AEG
Hiking10.50 Miles
2,375 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Based on the route descriptions on HAZ and elsewhere indicating that the true summit of Thimble requires class 5 climbing, I would have been content with the false summit. I'm not a rock climber. But I hiked this with a serious peakbagger type from the PNW who was intent on reaching the true summit, and he sniffed out a fairly easy class 3 route so I wanted to share it. From the false summit, a ~8-10 ft gully is visible on the left (east) side of the summit block - that is the route. To approach, bypass the false summit on the NW and climb the gully between the two summit blocks as described in the guide (the first move in this gully is the crux of the whole route IMO.) Bypass the orange wall and the various runners and climbing junk and go around to the east side of the summit block to locate the cl 3 gully. It zigs and zags a bit but is easy to climb up and down. There is basically no exposure. Fun to reach an unexpected summit! Photos courtesy of my hiking buddy.
  2 archives
Feb 23 2021
avatar

 Guides 36
 Routes 310
 Photos 2,235
 Triplogs 241

79 male
 Joined Mar 27 2008
 tucson, az
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 23 2021
rvcarter • Triplogs 241
Hiking10.79 Miles 2,347 AEG
Hiking10.79 Miles   7 Hrs   22 Mns   1.71 mph
2,347 ft AEG   1 Hour   4 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This updates the information for Thimble Peak, a well known and distinctive peak north of Tucson. The 18-year old guide for the hike written by Hans Schenk is accurate and holds up remarkably well for 2021. Earlier triplogs and pictures show an evolving set of conditions at the southwest tower (the taller of the two towers, and more difficult to summit), ranging from “no bolts”, “bolts”, “metal chain ladder”, and now, to “no metal ladder”. However, there are two bolts: one is about 6 - 7 feet above the base for climbing, the other (this one with a screw-oval quicklink) just above the wall for lowering off. In my pictures, I show their location. I also show the crack 3 – 4 feet above the lower bolt where one can place additional protection to reach the top, where several boulders perched there seem ready to dislodge with the slightest tug. Mitch, my climbing buddy and leader on this climb, gave the short climb a 5.5X rating. He also recommended bringing a tricam #2 and/or Metolius #8 for the crack. Forty feet of rope is sufficient for the climb but 100 feet is needed for an easy and safe descent of the chute, which is laden with numerous huge chock stones. Despite the short climb, this is not one to be taken lightly. Highly recommend a 100-foot rope, the pieces listed above, helmet, and climbing shoes. A 10-foot length of ribbon and bale ring would be helpful for setting a new anchor to get safely down the approach chute. There is a strap anchor of unknown age already in place at the top of the chute, but it’s safer to use your own, new ribbon. Add ½ mile to the distance since you now have to park outside the camping area at Prison Camp.
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Check out my Instagram posts at "cartershift", and videos on my Rumble channel "rvcarter".
 
Feb 02 2021
avatar

 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,126

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Feb 02 2021
fricknaley • Triplogs 4,126
Run/Jog11.65 Miles 2,461 AEG
Run/Jog11.65 Miles   3 Hrs   25 Mns   3.68 mph
2,461 ft AEG      15 Mns Break5 LBS Pack
 
Linked   linked  
Sycamore Reservoir Trail #39
Partners none no partners
I’ve been itching to get out to Thimble Peak this winter. Picked a gloriously perfect day for it. There was actually water in the creek which was awesome to see. Nothing really at sycamore reservoir though. Climbed the north summit, which I love. Nobody out there and just a smattering of people all day.

Ran about half of it, when it felt good.

Love this hike
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hi
 
Jan 23 2021
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 269
 Photos 613
 Triplogs 1,360

50 male
 Joined Dec 22 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 23 2021
RedwallNHops • Triplogs 1,360
Hiking11.25 Miles 2,541 AEG
Hiking11.25 Miles   5 Hrs   20 Mns   2.25 mph
2,541 ft AEG      20 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
MyRudy
Pivo
We went up the east summit this time. It's been a good 10 years since I've been up the lower summit.
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Jan 23 2021
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 512
 Photos 5,579
 Triplogs 4,280

69 male
 Joined Mar 01 2009
 Aztec, NM
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 23 2021
Pivo • Triplogs 4,280
Hiking11.25 Miles 2,541 AEG
Hiking11.25 Miles   5 Hrs   20 Mns   2.25 mph
2,541 ft AEG      20 Mns Break18 LBS Pack
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
MyRudy
RedwallNHops
Joel, Shelly, Rudy and I hit the trail at about 0830 for Prison Camp. A heads up to anyone heading there, the Trail Head Parking area is closed.You will need to park in the area before the campsites.
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Nov 08 2020
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 12
 Photos 17
 Triplogs 80

35 male
 Joined Oct 05 2017
 Tucson, AZ
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 08 2020
jladderud • Triplogs 80
Hiking15.00 Miles 4,700 AEG
Hiking15.00 Miles   7 Hrs      2.54 mph
4,700 ft AEG   1 Hour   6 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
Blacketts Ridge
Partners none no partners
I hiked Blacketts a few weeks ago and North Saddleback Peak caught my eye. I got it in my head that I should try for a link up of Blacketts to Thimble, with North Saddleback in between. I found some victims... (ahem), friends willing to make the bush whack with me, unsure of if the route even went. Smooth sailing up Blacketts (there's a trail, after all). Then an hour of bush whacking to North Saddleback. The crux there was descending off Blacketts. Then another 2.5 hours of contouring "fun" to get up to Thimble. There's no ladder on Thimble these days; but one of my friends and I were able to free solo the south summit. Not recommended without previous climbing experience as the exposure and consequences of falling are both great. We returned to the Sabino parking lot via Bear Canyon. GPS route should be linked. Definite class 3 moves required (and class 5 moves if summitting the Thimble).
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  3 archives
Apr 17 2018
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 512
 Photos 5,579
 Triplogs 4,280

69 male
 Joined Mar 01 2009
 Aztec, NM
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 17 2018
Pivo • Triplogs 4,280
Hiking10.55 Miles 2,410 AEG
Hiking10.55 Miles   5 Hrs   22 Mns   2.17 mph
2,410 ft AEG      30 Mns Break25 LBS Pack
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
MyRudy
pmstirling
Group hike today, was a little warm on the return leg. Used Joseph's new dog carrier when he started to fade. He was attacked by a coyote last week and is still a little sore, and the heat got to him too.
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Apr 02 2018
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 62

37 male
 Joined Jan 30 2016
 Tucson, AZ
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 02 2018
MSimmons • Triplogs 62
Hiking10.50 Miles 2,375 AEG
Hiking10.50 Miles
2,375 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
jrousoshammond
Made it to the real summit of Thimble for the first time :y: (somewhat to my surprise cause heights and scrambling generally aren't my bag :scared: ) It was well worth hitting both towers, and the chain ladder on the south one seems solid.
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Apr 01 2018
avatar

 Routes 30
 Triplogs 186

37 male
 Joined May 15 2015
 Tucson
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 01 2018
jrousoshammond • Triplogs 186
Hiking10.50 Miles 2,375 AEG
Hiking10.50 Miles
2,375 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
MSimmons
Last time we hiked to Thimble we had something like 13 miles in us already and scrambling didn't sound like fun. This time we hiked from Gordon Hirabayashi and were able to get up both summits. It was strange to climb up there and be able to hear people all the way down at the bottom of the canyon! Nicely overcast weather; this could've been hot...
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Mar 11 2018
avatar

 Guides 37
 Routes 556
 Photos 10,872
 Triplogs 1,052

43 male
 Joined Jan 21 2013
 AZ
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 11 2018
FOTG • Triplogs 1,052
Hiking16.49 Miles 3,976 AEG
Hiking16.49 Miles   6 Hrs   5 Mns   2.94 mph
3,976 ft AEG      28 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Bear Canyon Trail #29
Seven Falls - Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
Partners none no partners
Carrie and I left the pups at home to do Thimble today. We thought the hike was only going to be 10 miles, but that was because someone was looking at the description for Thimble from another trailhead and somebody else forgot how many miles it was the last time they did it. Anyways, we committed to the longer day and it turned out fantastic.

We beat the crowds to Seven Falls and the hike up canyon was great. It is hard to beat that area when water is flowing. From the falls we started the climb towards the intersection with the official route for Thimble Peak. The final push to the summit smoked me a little, but the little bit of extra work to get to Thimble was worth it. A nice summit with some great views! Had the ladder not had a top rung that I initially could not see, I may not have been able to do it and actually almost skipped the final climb due to still not entirely trusting my shoulder, but it proved pretty easy once Carrie pointed out the additional rung and I was up in no time. The hike down was quick a part from a quick stop at a scenic little cascade in Bear. That canyon was nothing short of spectacular today with the running water and dramatic clouds. Seven Falls was a zoo by the time we passed by there a second time and the trail was pretty crowded, but we knew that was coming and just pushed on to the trailhead. In the end, A nice quick big mile day today and not entirely by design, but it turned out perfectly and I left very impressed with the area.

Note: The AEG seems a little high, but it is out of Route Scout and it was "synced," so not entirely sure what is going o there.

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  1 archive
Mar 10 2018
avatar

 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,126

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 10 2018
fricknaley • Triplogs 4,126
Hiking10.39 Miles 2,502 AEG
Hiking10.39 Miles   4 Hrs   20 Mns   2.43 mph
2,502 ft AEG      3 Mns Break6 LBS Pack
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
JuanJaimeiii
i had kinda been itching to check out the thimble again and JJ mentioned it on our last hike so it seemed like a good chance to visit again. route out there is very easy to follow now. top notch views as always and the weather was as nice as could possibly be. nice to see a little water flowing in the crick. ha

thanks for coming down and roaming around JJ. good times :DANCE:
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hi
  1 archive
Mar 10 2018
avatar

 Routes 596
 Photos 9,610
 Triplogs 2,402

58 male
 Joined Jan 30 2011
 Chandler, AZ
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 10 2018
JuanJaimeiii • Triplogs 2,402
Hiking10.39 Miles 2,502 AEG
Hiking10.39 Miles   4 Hrs   20 Mns   2.43 mph
2,502 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
fricknaley
Dr. Frick and I did Blacketts Ridge recently and while on that hike I asked him about Thimble Peak off in the distance. He said it was a good one and that we should do it. Much to my surprise he asked if I wanted to do it this weekend. :o The good doctor is a busy man so naturally I obliged. Oh who am I kidding I would have gone down and done it with anyone who asked. :D

This one looks super cool from a distance and it was just as cool up close. The thimble is broken into two pieces. I made it up both today without issue. On the higher one I climbed up the chute/chimney and then came back down on the affixed chain ladder. Not sure which I prefer better? Exposure in the chute or the shaky unstable ladder. If I had to pick one it would probably be the chute. Nick gave the higher side a pass and scrambled right up the other side.

We saw several other hikers out today including about 10 at the thimble itself. It was a great day to be hiking in the Catalina's!

Thanks for the invite Dr. Frickenstein. Sedona Mega hike next!
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Feb 24 2018
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 12
 Photos 17
 Triplogs 80

35 male
 Joined Oct 05 2017
 Tucson, AZ
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 24 2018
jladderud • Triplogs 80
Hiking11.40 Miles 2,700 AEG
Hiking11.40 Miles   5 Hrs   41 Mns   2.55 mph
2,700 ft AEG   1 Hour   13 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
Gibbon Mountain
Partners none no partners
I took a couple of my friends on their first trip to Thimble Peak. I had been meaning to get out there again anyways as it had been three years since I'd done it. Someone has installed a chain ladder providing simpler (safer??) access to the south summit. The ladder anchors seem alright; but I'm not sure I'd trust it. I stuck to my preferred method of traversing over to the chimney and scrambling up that. Either way you're looking at some solid 4th class moves to reach the top. On the way back I took a bush whacking detour and tagged Gibbon Mountain while my friends continued on the main trail. We met up perfectly, right before the parking lot at Hirabayashi. I posted a couple of pictures of the ladder for anyone who's curious about it.
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  1 archive
Dec 28 2017
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 1
 Photos 44
 Triplogs 38

35 male
 Joined Feb 01 2013
 Tucson, AZ
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 28 2017
jajohnson11 • Triplogs 38
Hiking10.50 Miles 2,375 AEG
Hiking10.50 Miles
2,375 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Clear sailing until the summit. Fun little climb up the chimney. The chain ladder is a bit sketchy but made for a fun ascent. This would be a fun one to do again!
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Dec 09 2017
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 512
 Photos 5,579
 Triplogs 4,280

69 male
 Joined Mar 01 2009
 Aztec, NM
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 09 2017
Pivo • Triplogs 4,280
Hiking10.34 Miles 2,475 AEG
Hiking10.34 Miles   4 Hrs   50 Mns   2.22 mph
2,475 ft AEG      10 Mns Break20 LBS Pack
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
MyRudy
RedwallNHops
Joel wanted to checkout the new cable ladder on the summit. Joseph and I join him for the hike in to the base of the peak.
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Jan 29 2017
avatar

 Photos 3
 Triplogs 106

26 male
 Joined Apr 23 2012
 Tucson, AZ
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 29 2017
MyRudy • Triplogs 106
Hiking10.83 Miles 2,548 AEG
Hiking10.83 Miles   6 Hrs   25 Mns   1.87 mph
2,548 ft AEG      38 Mns Break
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Baja Arizona Hiking
Pivo
RedwallNHops
SkyIslandHiker
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Jan 29 2017
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 512
 Photos 5,579
 Triplogs 4,280

69 male
 Joined Mar 01 2009
 Aztec, NM
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 29 2017
Pivo • Triplogs 4,280
Hiking10.83 Miles 2,548 AEG
Hiking10.83 Miles   6 Hrs   25 Mns   1.87 mph
2,548 ft AEG      38 Mns Break20 LBS Pack
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Baja Arizona Hiking
justmike
MyRudy
RedwallNHops
SkyIslandHiker
We started at Prison Camp and made our way over a couple of wet crossings at Sycamore and Bear Canyons. Whit all of the recent rain and snow in the higher elevations every creek is running. Pretty windy today, but very nice in the sun. Post hike refreshments at Bear Canyon Pizza.
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Nov 14 2016
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 569
 Photos 11,976
 Triplogs 1,634

50 female
 Joined Sep 18 2009
 Tucson, AZ
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 14 2016
GrottoGirl • Triplogs 1,634
Hiking10.41 Miles 2,558 AEG
Hiking10.41 Miles   6 Hrs   58 Mns   1.96 mph
2,558 ft AEG   1 Hour   40 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Had a great time with 5 other Introverts climbing the Thimble's technical summit on the night of the Supermoon. We did enjoy the long periods of quietness but we all remarked about it. Next time we need to ensure we have one extrovert to balance us out!

Hiking at night was wonderful as we saw several deer and a skunk!

I found that climbing this time was easier since I have full use of my shoulder. I'm still hesitant to hang on it. Maybe someday I'll trust in titanium!
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  1 archive
Aug 24 2016
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 136
 Photos 1,367
 Triplogs 364

47 male
 Joined Jun 10 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Thimble PeakTucson, AZ
Thimble Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 24 2016
The_Dude • Triplogs 364
Hiking11.05 Miles 2,699 AEG
Hiking11.05 Miles   4 Hrs   54 Mns   2.55 mph
2,699 ft AEG      34 Mns Break14 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Molino Basin Trail #11
Sycamore Reservoir Trail #39
Bear Canyon Trail #29
Santa Catalina Mountains - AZT #11
Partners none no partners
I had to head to our southern Arizona yard on Tuesday, so I ended up camping out Tuesday night in Tucson so I could get a good hike in. I was going to camp right by the trailhead, but there was a whole troop of rednecks there when I pulled in about 7:30 so I kept going. I ended up camping up on Incinerator Ridge, oddly enough I happened upon a nice campsite that I had been at with my wife some 16 years earlier. Pretty chilly up at 8000', there was a good wind going most of the night but I slept pretty well. Got started at the trailhead about 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Everything is really green out here, you can tell the monsoon season has been good to the mountain. The trail is pretty overgrown from the Sycamore Reservoir on, Bear Canyon wasn't too bad, but the 'trail' over to the Thimble is really overgrown. I would strongly recommend having a GPS route if you are going to do this one anytime soon. There was a decent use trail to follow, but the grasses were so grown it it could be hard to find at time. I ended up getting off track quite a few times, but for the most part it is hard to go too far off course. I made it over to the Thimble and scrambled up to the first big rock shelf. I skipped the climb to the very top, it looked doable, but I was a bit dubious being solo and having seen no one on the trails. Awesome views all around for sure. Made it back to the van before one so I could head back in to town for a quick lunch and the usual drive home. Fun hike, I really like the Reservoir area.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
No big shows, but many things in bloom here and there. Grasses of course, Fern Acacaia, a few Penstemons, and Fleabane Daisy
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average hiking speed 2.26 mph
1, 2, 3  Next

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.

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