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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 4 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Viewer on 5/31/2008 Challenging & an excellent workout!
Reviewed by Robert on 5/14/2008 This was a pretty tough hike, but in the end I am truly glad I made the trek. Take your time and get to the end, be sure to devote an entire day because you will be pretty beat at the end of the day. Including resting time, lunch and taking pictures we took almost 8 hours total. Finger rock has the best views of Tucson you will see and is a hike every tucsonan should do.
Reviewed by Jeff on 4/21/2008 This was a fairly challenging hike, but the views from the top make it well worth the trip. Fairly easy for the first mile, then a gradual climb to "Linda Vista," a point where things flatten out. Here you can go right up to the saddle on the East face, or drop down into the canyon and up the other side to the finger. The trail is well marked nearly the entire way. Several scrambles near to top, a few difficult for novices. Coming down was the worst, very tought on the thighs and knees. Overall, lots of fun and some fantastic views of the valleys to the south and northwest.
Reviewed by George on 3/7/2008 Hiked this trail on March 6, 2008. Started at 10:00 am. Beautiful day, sunny and around 60 degrees. The hike up was tough, especially once you get off the main trail and onto the trail that leads to Finger Rock. Some pretty loose areas and a lot of scrambling. Watch your footing. It didn't help that I am out of shape. Had lunch on the rock formation just east of the "finger" (6475' peak on Topo Map). The views were awesome. Tucson to the South and Oro Valley and Catalina to the North. Too bad it was so hazy. Coming down was brutal on the knees. Total hiking time 6 hrs 11 min (3:01 up/3:10 down). TRAIL SPLIT LOCATION: NAD 27 UTM 12S 0510389E 3580191N Head North toward the canyon to find the trail to Finger Rock.
Reviewed by Raquel on 12/27/2007 It was a beautiful hike with great diversity. We crossed the stream three times with small flowing water falls. We had to trek carefully across the ice on the rocks and enjoyed the left-over snow from earlier days. It was hard work, but well worth the trip. Coming down was a bit hard on the knees, but if you strategically placed your feet, it made it a bit easier. Looking forward to doing this again.
Reviewed by Chris on 11/13/2007 Wonderful hike with a fantastic view at the end, would do it again. Coming back, myself and two fellow hikers, were just like plodding horses going to the barn after a hard days work. I think coming down is the worse, just want it to be over! 
Reviewed by Jeff on 10/26/2007 I loved this hike. I just got back from it and am surprised I made it out alive. I left at 12 noon, and got back around 630pm. I followed the trail for a while and then couldnt find it (or wasnt looking), and continued up the valley. I was bushwacking for 85% of the way, did alot of freeclimbing, and got my ass torn up from all the cacti/spiny plants and trees. Made it to the base of finger rock formation, but boy was it challenging and quite dangerous. Next time Ill go on the trail. But if your looking to test your physical limits, do what I did. It was amazing!
Reviewed by Jeff on 9/17/2007 Just did this yesterday, sept. 16, 07. I have to say that this is my favorite hike so far in the Tucson area, mostly because it's the most rugged. And the rock you get to the top of (it's the big knob to the west of the finger) has one of the best views of the Tucson valley I've seen yet. So yeah, I didn't get to a saddle northeast of the finger, I followed the cairns (and had to do some class 4 climbing in some parts) and got to the very peak of the one easternmost rock formation, looking down over a sheer cliff at the finger below. 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||