Overview
The Thumb anchors the southeast end of the large bowl that feeds South Fork Big Pine Creek. The Thumb offers unparalleled views of Middle Palisades, Norman Clyde, and Sill.
The easiest route up the Thumb is via Birch Lake on the class 2 Southeast slope. Southfork Pass and the John Muir trail provide access to the chutes and ribs on the south side, which eventually allows climbers to reach the southeast slope. The more technical routes are accessed from Brainerd Lake and include, according to Secor, the North-Northeast Ridge (cl.5), the Northwest Corner (cl.5.7), and the Northwest Couloir (cl.4.)
Getting ThereThere are three ways you can approach the Thumb. The South Fork Big Pine Creek trailhead allows access to the north ridge, the NW face, and the S face via Southfork Pass. The Birch Lake trailhead (or the Red Lake trailhead if you're ambitious) accesses the SE face. The directions to these trailheads can be found on the Birch Mtn and Split Mtn pages. Finally, the S face can also be accessed from the John Muir trail by hiking up the drainage into the higher or southern of the Palisades Lakes.
Red TapeEverything you need to know about permits and regulations can be found on the Eastern Sierra - Logistical Center page.
Camping and ClimbingCamping can be done almost anywhere between the trailheads and the peak. Popular options include Brainerd Lake from South Fork Big Pine trailhead, Birch Lake from the Birch Lake trailhead, or the Palisades Lakes on the John Muir trail. For thos who want to get closer, there exist two smaller lakes above Brainerd and the bowl just south of the Thumb contains multiple lakes as well.
Climbing can be done in almost any season but May through October are the most popular times.External LinksSteve Eckert's excellent trip report on multiple Palisade climbs Images
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Palisades
