This hike is now off-limits, as the McDowell Sonoran Preserve has been closed due to extreme fire danger!

This mountain is easily recognizable due to the large radio antennas located on the top of the mountain which were placed there in the 1970s. It is easily summited via the road/trail on the east face of the mountain. It is the 3rd highest in the range, only McDowell Peak and East End are higher. Thompson Peak used to be the place to camp along the 2 day trek of the McDowell Mountain ridgeline, but with the creation the MSLT, camping is now prohibited on the mountain. Another option is to camp in the McDowell Mountain Regional Park and hike up to the summit from there

History

Not even the author of Arizona Place Names could find out how the mountain received its title but what he does know is the name has been in place since 1910. The military fort that gave these mountains their name, Fort McDowell, was created in 1865 above the Verde and Salt rivers. However humans had been living in and near these mountains for over 1,000 years. The Hohokam were the first known settlers followed by the Yavapai, however the summer heat proved to be too much for them as they migrated to the cooler Bradshaws in the north during the summer and late spring. The area brings in too little rain for farming and produces too little minerals to be mined, so the mountain range has remained mainly unpopulated and overlooked, and has recently been purchased by the McDowell Sonoran Land Trust in order to maintain this pristine landscape.

Getting There

If you wish to climb it from the west, you can park at the Bashas parking lot. Turn off of the 101 at Bell Rd., follow Bell Rd. about a mile or two and you'll see the Bashas center on your right. Or if you want to climb it from the east,park at the trailhead on Golden Eagle Blvd. Follow Shea Rd all the way into Fountain Hills to Palisades Rd and take a left onto Palisades, then take a left onto to Golden Eagle Blvd and follow that all the way until the trailhead.

Red Tape

The park opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, be careful of the fragile plant life

Information on the Park and the Preserve:
McDowell Mountain Regional Park
McDowell Sonoran Land Trust

When To Climb

Easiest from fall to spring, avoid the midday sun and during the hot summer months

Mountain Conditions

McDowell Sonoran Land Trust

Hike Arizona

Arizona Hikers

Camping

Camping is not allowed in the Preserve, but it is allowed in McDowell Mountain Regional Park, which is 2-3 miles from Thompson Peak

External Links

Images