Approach for Morrell's Wall in the McDowells
|
We were at the McDowell's today and wanted to try some of the routes at Morrell's wall but were unable to find a trail. Any one have an approach beta? We didn't see any trails that seemed to be heading toward the wall. We hiked around after climbing at the garden wall, but didn't see anything resembling a trail above or below the Garden wall turn off. |
|
Paging Greg Opland! |
|
Take the Tom's Thumb trail for about 2-3 minutes until you see a trail branch off to your left. Take this for 5-10 minutes until it crosses another trail just before it enters a wash. If you see a sign for the Girly Man Area you went about 50 yards too far. Take a right on the trail for just about 1 minute until a climbers trail appears on your left that leads one into & up the wash behind (roughly South of) the Girly Man Area. Take this trail up & up & up to the very visible Morrell Wall. HTH. Greg Opland wrote: ...I'm a little confused about what climbing at Gardener's Wall has to do with Morrell's. They're not exactly the same neighborhood.Things have changed so much Greg. Almost everything on the Northern part of the McDowells is accessed via the Tom's Thumb trail now, which is not the same Tom's Thumb trail that many climbers think of. It is much closer to the old Morrell Wall parking area than it is to Tom's Thumb. Much to my chagrin, and despite mine & others pleadings otherwise, access is totally blocked to the old Tom's Thumb approach trail. So now we actually DO start hiking near the old Morrel Wall parking area to access Tom's Thumb. It's your tax dollars at work! |
|
Thanks guys! |
|
Mike wrote:Take the Tom's Thumb trail for about 2-3 minutes until you see a trail branch off to your left. Take this for 5-10 minutes until it crosses another trail just before it enters a wash. If you see a sign for the Girly Man Area you went about 50 yards too far. Take a right on the trail for just about 1 minute until a climbers trail appears on your left that leads one into & up the wash behind (roughly South of) the Girly Man Area. Take this trail up & up & up to the very visible Morrell Wall. HTH.Just a follow up for anyone else who is interested in climbing out here. We followed Mike's approach instructions and they are spot on. To put some names to the trails listed in the approach beta: the branch of trail from Tom's Thumb trail is Mesquite Canyon Trail, then take a right onto Feldspar trail. Climbing trail will appear on your left as you hike up Feldspar. Once you get on this climbing trail there are signs that will guide you the rest of the way up. |
|
To supplement Mike's instructions, here is the map that is posted at the new trailhead at the beginning of the Marcus Landslide Trail. The new parking area is the called Tom's Thumb Trailhead located here: trailhead on google maps. |
|
Thanks for all your hard work over the years Greg! Things change over the years but a well made guide is invaluable no matter how old . I don't go into the McDowells or pinnacle peak without PR2. |
|
Hi folks, |