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Approach for Morrell's Wall in the McDowells

Original Post
Phil Sakievich · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 131

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.

Also the approach listed on MP requires driving down a dirt road that has since been gated (we checked on our way out, lots of new development in the area).

Scott M. McNamara · · Presidio San Augustine Del… · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 55

Paging Greg Opland!

Mike · · Phoenix · Joined May 2006 · Points: 2,615

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!
Phil Sakievich · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 131

Thanks guys!

The reason we were looking around the turn off for the Gardner's wall is because the Tom's thumb trail head goes right between the two walls and it seemed like a logical place for such a trail to exist (sounds like all of us agree on that idea). We didn't see any signs referencing Morrell's wall along the Tom's Thumb trail from the trail head up to the Gardner's Wall turn off, but I recall the turn off you mentioned Mike.

I'll try to head up there in the next couple of weeks and check it out. The climbing looks awesome.

Phil Sakievich · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 131
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.
Jo Mer · · Eugene, OR · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 104

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.

The maps in Phoenix Rock II and Rock Climbing Arizona Falcon Guide now seem to out of date.

McDowell Mountains Trail Map

Joe G · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 0

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.
Still pissed my original Phoenix rock was stolen!
Good times,
Joe Garcia

ErikF · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 71

Hi folks,
Cheryl Beaver and I are writing an entirely new guidebook to the McDowells that will have all the new info. Greg's Phoenix Rock II was a super guide book as were Phoenix Rock and A Climbers Guide to Central Arizona prior to that. The land was purchased by the City of Scottsdale over the past 20 years and things have changed quite a bit as he states. For those who loved it out there "back when" it is with fondness to recall all the "good ole days." But at least most of the historic rock climbing has been preserved under the new climbing management plan from the City.
Hopefully Cheryl and I will complete the new guide soon and it can help folks see all the great stuff out there for climbing.
Erik

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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