|
 Finger Rock - Tucson, AZ
N 32° 21.936 W 110° 53.726
12S E 509837 N 3580965
The local landmark 'Finger Rock' is visible from miles away and there's the Finger Rock Trailhead that offers closer views of this landmark.
Waymark Code: WMPKPM
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 09/14/2015
Views: 4
From the US Forest Service website (link below):
As you look toward the Santa Catalinas from metropolitan Tucson, one of the most distinctive landmarks on the Pusch Ridge skyline resembles a closed hand with the index finger extended to make a #1 sign. This is Finger Rock, a 100 foot high formation that marks the steep canyon that bears its name. Finger Rock Canyon offers one of the most direct routes into the Catalina Front Range with its spectacular views and precipitous formations. The trail starts easy and gets progressively rougher. Because of its graduated layout, hikers can tailor an outing along this trail to fit the amount of effort they want to expend. Or, they can “go for it” and continue past Mt. Kimball to Linda Vista Ridge and the head of Ventana Canyon. Many who come here choose Finger Rock Spring as a good turn-around point. A little looking around reveals some good picnic spots and outstanding overlooks. Beyond the spring, the trail steepens and becomes harder to follow. What has been rocky, rough going becomes even more so. Not surprisingly, as the going gets rougher the overlooks get better. Dramatic vistas of Finger Rock, the sheer walls of the canyon, Tucson and the mountains beyond add to the lung-busting grades to give hikers plenty of incentive to stop, take a break and look around. This hike starts in saguaros and climbs through the Upper Sonoran Zone into a habitat of yucca, live oak, juniper, and agave. The trail leads into the Pusch Ridge Desert Bighorn Sheep Management Area, so leave your dog at home. Finger Rock Trail ends at a junction where a set of switchbacks leads into Ventana Canyon toward Tucson and where Esperero Trail #25 leads to other trails that continue up the slopes of Mt. Lemmon.
I drove to the to Finger Rock trailhead parking lot and hiked up a short distance to get a closer view of Finger Rock. I've heard this trail is very popular and the parking lot fills up quickly in the morning so if you're planning a hike, the earlier you set out the better. I also posted pictures of Finger Rock from various locations and distances away to give you an idea of how visible it is from metropolitan Tucson.
Directions:
Drive north from Tucson on the Oracle Road (US 89) to Ina Road. Turn right (east) on Ina and drive about a mile to Skyline Road which branches off to the south (right). Follow Skyline (have to make a left to stay on Skyline) to Alvernon Way and turn left (north) to the trailhead and parking lot at the end of the pavement.
Web Address: [Web Link]
Additional Coordinates / Parking Etc.: N 32° 20.170 W 110° 54.606
Physical Address: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
To log a Visit, please make every effort to supply an image of yourself at the site. The standard GPS photo may be used as well, or even just an image that you took when you visited the location. If you do not have the option to provide an image, please provide a detailed description of your visit so we can form a 'mental image'
|