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 Reporter |
Summary: As you look toward the Santa Catalinas from Tucson, a distinctive landmark resembles a closed hand with the index finger extended to make a #1 sign. This is finger rock, a 200 foot rock formation, with the extended finger at about 80 feet. The Hike starts out easy for the first mile, then progressively gets harder as the trail begins to steepen. Continue hiking along the right side of Finger Rock canyon for about an hour and a half to about 5000 feet elevation level. This is right after several sections of steep hiking up rock slabs. The trail levels out and turns right (east) but you DO NOT. From this look out area, walk north towards the canyon and you will find a trail down into it and back out which can be followed to a saddle just northeast of the Finger. Follow this up steep, loose gullies to a the saddle of the west side of the Finger. Note: look closely for trail markers after crossing the canyon, they become more spread out, every 50' or so. Trailhead: At the corner of Sunrise Blvd, and Swan Rd., head north up swan, until you reach Skyline Rd., and make a left (west). Continue west on skyline until Alvernon Way and make a right (North). Take Alvernon Way North until it dead ends into the parking lot and trailhead. There is no Fee. (Lat:32.33645 Lon:-110.91049) Trail Guides for Finger Rock: Tucson Hiking Guide by Betty Leavengood (Pruett Publishing Company) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter, User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Santa Catalina Ranger District 520-670-4552 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Lawrence Knight, who has posted 5 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 1 of 5 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Doug on 1/14/2010 This is a pretty difficult hike, with numerous stretches that are very steep and poor footing. The hike to Mt. Kimball is 10+ miles. View at the top of Mt. Kimball spectacular. Be sure and go to the far east rock outcropping on top, where you get a terrific view of Mt Lemmon, and all points north and west. Took about 7 hours round trip, and going down took almost as long as coming up. Recommend you have a copy of Betty Leavengood's Tucson Hiking Guide, which will keep you on the trail, when the trail gets a little difficult to follow.
Reviewed by Tom on 8/23/2009 I hiked Finger Rock Trail, FS #42 solo to Mt. Kimball, in Feb. 2007. One of the best hikes ever. Whooped my ass and handed it to me, but well worth the effort. I emphasize that I hiked the OFFICIAL trail to Kimball, not the side path to the rock formation. Take these trail descriptions with a grain of salt, they are not entirely accurate. Best to gather info from ultiple sources and compare... 
Reviewed by JC on 6/24/2009 Went up on 06/14. Started late (6:30 AM) and made it up to about 3/4 mile below the Linda Vista point. Total time about 2.5 hours. This is not a summertime hike unless you are leaving very early (5:00 am) and carry lots of water. It is a real leg burner and really helps you get into shape for long slog hikes like the Grand Canyon. 
Reviewed by 46f,42m,17m on 4/5/2009 april 4 2009.started at 6:30 and got back at 4:30,numerous breaks up and down.could not complete to the end, turned around when the trail required us to crawl (hands and feet)upwards /steep inclines a few times.very very hard on the knees too much time needs to be devoted to this trail
Reviewed by Ross on 11/29/2008 Enjoyed the hike, and I love this site. Just wanted to clarify that the hike to finger rock (to top of peak just East of finger rock) is actually about 11 miles round trip, give or take. It's 3 miles just up to the cutoff that takes you down the canyon and back up the other side toward Finger Rock. I just hiked it today with a few friends, and it took us about 6 hours total (3.5 up, 2.5 down). That time included a few decent breaks, but we were moving at a good clip. I'd plan for at least 6-8 hours for the hike. Enjoy.
Reviewed by David on 11/5/2008 In 1976 my younger brother and I were hiking the trail and came upon two injured women who had fallen into the canyon the night before when their flashlight burned out. This was in mid summer and we had to walk them down killing rattlesnakes on the way. We had no help, no cell phone. The most serious injured we got to the Er when her kidneys failed. Saved her life.
Reviewed by Ted P on 10/15/2008 I solo hiked this trail in February of 2008. It took me the better part of 8 hours to complete the whole trip. The first couple miles are fairly easy and relatively level. Beyond that, it gets steeper and the trail becomes more narrow. The split off from the trail running back down into the valley and up to Finger Rock is hard to spot, but it's there. After you're on the trail that heads up to the rock formation, the trail becomes harder to follow and the trail markers are spaced further apart. I got lost once or twice, so keep an eye on the trail markers. Bring A LOT of water. I drain a 6 liter bladder during the hike.
Reviewed by Viewer on 5/31/2008 Challenging & an excellent workout! Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Arizona Hiking, Arizona Trails, Arizona Hikes, Pima County Hiking, Pima County Trails, Pima County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||