Glass Dome

After an early 1980's climbing trip to Tom’s Thumb, while descending our way along the ridgeline eastward and above Gardner’s Wall, we noticed a          ~ 30 m. formation of rock and instantly realized how unique it was with its overall different rock type reminiscent of Yosemite rock quality. The Dome was right at the contact (boundary) between the coarse-grained “Pinnacle Peak Granite" (a Pegmatitic granite rock typical of the McDowell’s area) and the Dome's fine-grained "Aplite" rock type.

After bouldering we realized how “glassy” that rock was. It was then and there that the name “Glass Dome” was given. (because of the smooth and glassy texture.) -- Rand Black, 1982.

The Glass Dome has a total of 6 known routes on the North, East and South faces.