Arizona · Hiking · Near Kachina Village

Thompson Ladder

Thompson LadderPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
4.5 mi
round trip
3,815 ft
climb
6,247 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jul, Sep
best months

Is Thompson Ladder open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Coconino National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Coconino National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Thompson Ladder is a 4.5-mile out-and-back hike in the Flagstaff Ranger District of Coconino National Forest in northern Arizona. The trail rises from about 6,241 feet to 6,247 feet at the high point before returning, with a total elevation gain of 3,815 feet over the course of the trip. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.3 miles in, where the grade reaches 50 percent. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail's natural surface makes for a straightforward, if challenging, route. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mund's Park show highs around 69°F in May and 76°F in September, with July and August bringing the most wet days. That station sits about 220 feet higher than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the route run slightly warmer. The hike pairs well with other outings in the area. The Waterfall climbing area lies about a mile away, and North Wilson #123 is a hiking option at roughly 1.4 miles. Manzanita campground is about 1.9 miles off, and Oak Creek offers canoeing about 2.5 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Manzanita.

    Campground

    Sites open the weekend of Dec 4 on Recreation.gov

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Kachina Village

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Jul, Sep

    Best time to visit Thompson Ladder

    Best months: May–July and September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      46° / 17°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      47° / 19°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      53° / 23°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      60° / 27°

      4 wet

    5. May

      69° / 34°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      79° / 40°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 49°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 50°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 41°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      66° / 31°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      54° / 22°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 16°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mund'S Park, AZ, 4.2 mi away at 6,470 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

North Wilson #123Photo: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

North Wilson #123

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Wilson MountainPhoto: deborah.soltesz, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

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Casner CanyonPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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HIKE

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~6 min drive

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Clifftop TrailPhoto: inkknife_2000 (14 million views), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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~4 min drive

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Oak Creek Spur CPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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