Hike Marcus Landslide Trail

Scottsdale, Arizona

5.0/5

based on 1 reviews

Save

View all 13 photos

All 13 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

4 miles

Elevation Gain

528 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Laura Hill

Easy, family friendly hike in beautiful North Scottsdale!

Named after a landslide that scientists say occurred over 500,000 years ago, this interpretive hiking trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is a perfect easy outing for families and nature lovers alike. It begins from the Tom's Thumb trailhead (shared parking lot), which is another beautiful hike (if a bit more strenuous).

Featuring unique rock formations, this trail winds for 4 miles and has vegetation markers and historical signs along the way. So you can learn while enjoying the beautiful Arizona sunshine!

The trail is maintained by the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, but please make sure to do your part and leave no trace!

This is a great year round hiking trail, but keep in mind that the Conservancy does close the parking lot gate at sunset, and open again at sunrise (check their website for specific times).

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Fitness

Rock Climbing

Photography

Hiking

Bathrooms

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Wildflowers

Wildlife

Hike Marcus Landslide Trail Reviews

Laura Hill

Hike Marcus Landslide Trail

07/02/20

If it's wildflower season, make sure to check out this trail. Lots of beautiful cactus flowers too!

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Climb Sphincter Boy Near Tom's Thumb

5.9 trad route. About 60ft. Can be set up as a Top Rope. To get there you will start on the Tom's Thumb Trail for about .1 mi. Then take the Mesquite canyon trail left (SE) for .2mi. It will connect with the Feldspar trail. Turn left (E) and continue on until you see the climber access sign. Continue on the well marked trail towards the Girlie Man climbing area. Once you get to the base of the ...

Climb Hanging Garden's on Gardner's Wall

This is a 2 pitch 5.6 trad climb. About 130 feet in total. Access the Hanging Garden's climbing area off of the Tom's Thumb Trail. About half way up the trail you will see signage for "Rock Climbing Access Route." On the sign you will see an arrow pointing towards Gardner's Wall. This is the direction you want to take. Following the path, it will drop you down into a field of boulders. Scramble...

Climb Girlie Man Near Tom's Thumb

5.9+ 3 bolt slab. About 65ft. To get there you will start on the Tom's Thumb Trail for about .1 mi. Then take the Mesquite canyon trail left (SE) for .2mi. It will connect with the Feldspar trail. Turn left (E) and continue on until you see the climber access sign. Continue on the well marked trail towards the Girlie Man climbing area. Once you get to the base of the climbing area, you will see...

Boulder the Unknown Handcrack near Tom's Thumb

V-easy. 20 feet. Start on the Tom's Thumb Trail about .1 mi. Then take the Mesquite canyon trail left (SE) for .2mi. It will connect with the Feldspar trail. Turn left (E) and continue on until you see the climber access sign. Continue on the well marked trail towards the Girlie Man climbing area. You will see the hand crack just to the right of the trail, a few dozen yards from the actual clim...

Tom's Thumb

The infamous “thumb” can be seen from most places in the valley – a white burst of rock jutting skyward out of the desert ridgeline. The new Tom’s Thumb Trailhead in 2012 has nice restrooms and offers tons of information about the surrounding rock climbing areas, day hikes and desert knowledge about the flora and fauna. Since this area is a bit removed from the city, you are likely to find ...

Climb Brusin' and Crusin' on Gardner's Wall

This is a 100 foot 5.8 trad climb. Access the Hanging Garden's climbing area off of the Tom's Thumb Trail. About half way up the trail you will see signage for "Rock Climbing Access Route." On the sign you will see an arrow pointing towards Gardner's Wall. This is the direction you want to take. Following the path, it will drop you down into a field of boulders. Scramble up and over these bould...

Hike Marcus Landslide Trail

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Hike Marcus Landslide Trail Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Climb Sphincter Boy Near Tom's Thumb

Climb Hanging Garden's on Gardner's Wall

Climb Girlie Man Near Tom's Thumb

Boulder the Unknown Handcrack near Tom's Thumb

Tom's Thumb

Climb Brusin' and Crusin' on Gardner's Wall

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps