Story and photos by Cheryl Hartz
Recently, while trying to think of a local trail I hadn’t shared, the answer hit me like a hammer strikes a thumb—Thumb Butte, of course!
My very young family hiked Thumb Butte Trail No.33 with out-of-state visitors nearly 40 years ago. I think I’ve been up one other time.
It’s so prominent in the Prescott landscape, I guess I consider it more of a tourist thing. But it’s truly a day-use treasure for area residents, as well.
Trail No.33 is listed as one of the most heavily used hiking trails in the Prescott National Forest. Use was light on a pleasant, windy day in late May. A handful of canines seemed to have no trouble. No bicycles or horses are allowed.
With wide paved pathways, walking on this 2.1-mile-round-trip Prescott National Forest trail would be easy except for a small detail.
It’s steep, especially if you choose the left path.
Elevation starts at about 5,700 feet. The top peaks out at over 6,500 feet, for an elevation gain of around 700 feet in the fairly short distance of a mile.
Benches are strategically placed along the many switchbacks. If you’re a senior, like me, or aren’t used to going up and up and up, I strongly suggest using them to let your heart rate return to something more normal for our age. I often forget I’m no longer 25, or 35…or even 65.
I think I still should be able to charge up the steepest trail without resting. But by taking short breaks and slower steps, I can still hit the trails hard enough to get where I want to go. And have time to read interpretive and interesting signs along the way. Drink water, too.
The greatest benefit to taking this trail slow is the multitude of incredible views it affords. Cloudless, deep blue skies extend those views all the way from Granite Mountain to Bill Williams Mountain and Flagstaff’s Humphreys Peak.
As of this writing, the cliffs circling the tippy top were closed for peregrine falcon nesting where Trail 33 continues its circle on an easier path. The peregrines likely have been returning there for centuries. We know they’ve been protected there for at least 30 years.
We returned the way we came, on the steep part. The alternative is a little easier for completing the loop to the parking lot. Some folks recommend hiking up the right side of the loop. But where’s the fun in that?
Either way you’ll see manzanita, pinon pine, alligator juniper, ponderosa pine, scrub oak, cactus, yucca and red penstemon.
Back at the paved parking picnic area are water, picnic tables, restrooms and trash cans.
The Thumb Butte Recreation Area offers free admission on Wednesdays. Other days cost $5 per vehicle per day. Guess what day this thrifty (cheap) hiker chose?
Happy high heartrate hiking!
