Camelback Mountain — Local services in Phoenix

I've seen fire and I've seen rain. I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end. The Original JT

Personally, I've never seen fire on this trail, but I have seen rain... and boy, does that make it slippery.

This is a fabulous trail, and is what I used to train for Flatiron, for a good 6 months. i can ascend to the peak on this trail in about 40 minutes. It took over two hours to hit the peak at Flatiron.

My buddy Nick, and I, hiked this trail today... youtu.be/l-aMaDoDRVE. Let me explain the journey in words, and then you can watch the movie.

The start of the trail is a winding path, with a steep grade. If I had to guess, it would probably be 15% for most of it, exceeding 20% in some parts. This section culminates in a easterly view of the valley, complete with sunrise if you get out early enough.

it is followed by a brief reprieve, which then leads to the StairMaster portion, which is two distinct flights of railroad ties, some spaced a little too far apart. This brings you to the first beast you'll face. It's a smooth, almost vertical, incline, with two sets of handrails, which are critical for descending. You should be out of breath by the time you clear this one. However, I've seen people faint, and go down near the top. Dont do that, because no one wants to see you "rag doll" it all the way down, and they sure dont want to baby sit you until rescue shows up.

Next is a short break until you hit the first of the rock piles. Thankfully, this one does have a handrail, but it is the last handrail of the ascent. Once past this, you'll be able to catch your breath, until you hit the next of the rock piles. That one isnt bad, and I'm saying this because the next rock pile is bad... like really bad... like 5 or 6 of this one.

Between this one, and the next, is another break, and a short incline, where you wind around the side of the hill, take a big step up, and wind around a little more. Now you're face to face with the "big boy", but you dont know that, because you cant see all of it yet... so wipe that smile off of your face... or better yet, eat a banana, because you're going to need some fuel for this next part. Like a crock pot, just take it low and slow.

You'll climb and climb and then climb some more, and you will clear this part... but you'll never forget how relentless it was, because you'll have to go back down it. From here, the summit is like five minutes away, as you scramble over more rocks, and up one slippery incline. Before you know it, you hear voices and laughter. You're mere seconds away now... and then you're there.

Enjoy the view my friend, and rest up, because you've got to go back down... unless you want to do an up-and-over to the Cholla side, and then come back over again. It's like hiking the...

Camelback Mountain, located in Phoenix, Arizona, is a prominent natural landmark and a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Here's a review covering various aspects:

Scenery and Views: Camelback Mountain offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Phoenix metropolitan area. The landscape is rugged and provides a unique desert scenery that captures the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. The summit provides an excellent vantage point to witness both sunrise and sunset, creating a magical atmosphere.

Hiking Trails: The mountain features two main trails: Echo Canyon and Cholla Trail. Both trails offer challenging hikes with steep ascents, making them suitable for more experienced hikers. The trails are well-maintained, but the difficulty level may be demanding for beginners. The Echo Canyon trailhead tends to be busier, so early arrival is recommended.

Fitness Level and Accessibility: Hiking Camelback Mountain requires a moderate to high level of physical fitness due to steep inclines and rocky terrain. The Cholla Trail is generally considered less strenuous than Echo Canyon but still demands a good level of fitness. While the trails are accessible, individuals with mobility issues may find the terrain challenging.

Crowds and Parking: Camelback Mountain is a popular destination, especially during weekends and peak seasons. Parking can be challenging, particularly at the Echo Canyon trailhead. It's advisable to arrive early to secure a parking spot and avoid the midday heat, as temperatures in the desert can be intense.

Wildlife and Flora: The mountain is home to a variety of desert flora and fauna. Hikers may encounter cacti, lizards, and other desert-dwelling creatures. The biodiversity adds to the overall hiking experience, providing an opportunity to appreciate the resilience of life in the arid environment.

Safety Precautions: Given the challenging nature of the trails, it's crucial for hikers to be well-prepared. Bringing sufficient water, wearing appropriate footwear, and being aware of weather conditions are essential safety precautions. Additionally, it's advisable to adhere to trail guidelines and respect the natural environment.

Overall Experience: Camelback Mountain offers a rewarding and invigorating hiking experience for those seeking a challenge and stunning desert landscapes. The views from the summit are unparalleled, making the effort and difficulty of the hike worthwhile. However, visitors should be prepared for the physical demands and plan accordingly for a safe and...

I did this hike in June and started around 6:30am and finished about 9:30am. We did echo canyon to get up to the summit and took the cholla trail to get back down to the ground. I won’t lie, it’s best not to do this at any time in the summer months if you’re out of shape or struggle with difficult hikes. Echo canyon begins very easily, just gaining elevation but no need to climb or scramble. But soon you reach the fenced area with railing and you have to go up a steep incline. The rest of the trail is similar to this except there is no rails or anything to help you out. Many parts of echo canyon are steep and treacherous for those out of shape or without hiking experience. This trail and also the cholla are only for experienced hikers. It’s not very hard if you stay focused and take breaks and drink enough water. Many parts of echo canyon are steep but every single section is doable and eventually there’s areas to sit down and relax and get out of the way of other hikers going up. This isn’t really a trail, more of a non technical climb to me. Once you get to the top it’s extremely beautiful and you can see the entire valley pretty much. There is saguaros and Sonoran desert flora and fauna to see everywhere on this mountain. It’s amazing. Just be prepared, take more than enough water, hiking gloves are recommended and wear a hat for shade if it’s summer time. Also, be sure to start early during spring and summer to avoid the major heat later in the day. Now for cholla trail, we went down cholla to get back to the trailhead. Some people told us it was more of a path instead of a climb like echo canyon is. They were partially correct. After leaving the summit and heading down cholla, it’s steep and difficult in several spots. Be very careful on this part and take your time. It’s not until you’re almost halfway down and to the helicopter pad that the cholla trail becomes a real trail and becomes easy. So both echo canyon and cholla are easy in spots and difficult in others. Many people do both of these trails each day and you won’t be alone no matter what time of day or year you come. Just prepare and be safe and know...