As someone from out of town who associated Camelback Mountain with a tourist area, please be aware that this is rated as an extremely difficult trail! You will encounter steep inclines and will have to climb over rocks for a great distance. If you are in good physical condition and love a challenge, this trail is for you! Hiking here during the winter months is perfect because it's not too hot. Be sure to bring plenty of water and wear supportive shoes or hiking boots. read more

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Tough hike, but SOOO worth it! Via Echo Canyon trail Round trip is 2.5 miles and takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Traffic is typically heavy, and crazy enough you'll actually see people climbing this barefoot, in costumes, running it, etc. Elevation gain of 1,414ft. I even met a man on the trail that had a heart transplant 2 years prior, he was jogging it and he told me he just wanted to pay it forward! Going up will test your cardio, WEAR hiking shoes if you have them!! Going down, watch your footing! These rocks can be very slippery. Again, wear appropriate shoes. Don't leave your car past sunset, they'll give you a citation!! There are two lots and they fill up FAST especially when the weather is good. The views are impeccable, it was one of the best , hardest, and most rewarding times we had in Scottsdale! Do it, and have fun! read more

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Very hard trail - but so we'll marked and maintained! Make sure you bring water and dress appropriately

The best view! Beautiful scenery! There's a great culture. Regular hikers take turns putting up a Christmas tree. Play your cards right Santa may show. OK. Here's the serious bit. THIS IS NOT AN EASY HIKE!! I cannot emphasize this enough. I'm a native Arizonan. It took time for me to fully be able to do this. You can go at your own pace and stop when tired. The road you have to walk up weeds people out. There is a helipad at the top. This gets ALOT of use. No bathrooms on trail. No pets allowed. Please bring water. Even when it's cool. I don't mean to sound like my Mom but be careful. It is that serious of a trail. And yes you will see people running past you. People have actually died. Oh.. and whatever you do.. DO NOT WEAR FLIP FLOPS OR SLIDES. I don't care if there Nike or Adidas. I've seent it people.. I've seent it. read more

This was a tough hike (lots of bouldering) but it was amazing. A serious challenge for myself and even my boys though the didn't want to admit it at first. Breathtaking views and the weather was perfect. Make sure you wear good shoes, pack enough water and some salty snacks. You will need a hat for the sun and sunscreen. I broke my ankle on the way down in a freak accident and yes I hobbled the rest of the way down with the help of my husband in what the Ranger called was a self rescue and thanked me on behalf of the fire dept lol. I was on crutches and a scooter there rest of the break but I'd do it again in a heartbeat and can't wait to go back. read more

Camelback Mountain - We made it to the top!! Spring Break 2022 - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

If you've never hiked/rock clImbed before, believe the signs that say the cholla trail is difficult. I would also advise shoes with really good traction. So if you don't plan on wearing hiking boots remember, traction, traction TRACTION. The first time I came I only made it up a quarter of the way and got some nice sunset pics. The second time I was able to hike the entire mountain thanks to my fearless leader. The path is pretty discernible until it's time to actually scale the rocks and boulders. Once you reach the rock scaling you have to pay attention to the blue reflectors. You're supposed to be on the inside of the blue reflectors and not the outside for safety purposes. The only thing that is annoying is when you've been hiking for over an hour and people keep saying "you're almost there" as they're on the way down and you're on the way up still. It's only annoying because you've been hearing it for at least 20 minutes and it feels like you're never gonna get there. The cholla trail challenging but beautiful once you make it to the top. If you've never been to Phoenix it's a must do. Just give yourself plenty of time and wear a belt to hold water. Accounting for picture taking, it took my group of 6, 2 hours to get to the top and one hour down. read more

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Hiked via Echo Canyon trail on 5/5 & other trails during a Phoenix/Sedona trip & posted a trail guide video! Search [Nikko Gandia Camelback Mountain Trail Guide]. Blog post version is linked the video's description! Parking fills up fast, snagged a spot by starting later in the day. Facilities available at trailhead-water, restrooms, shade canopy, & benches. Bring enough water for the heat & inclines! Steep inclines/technical scrambles at the midway point for about a 10th of a mile & during the last quarter of a mile of the summit. 360 views are awesome. read more

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As an avid hiker, this is a excellent hike, the panoramic view you get at the end is worth the steep hike. The steepest part is towards the end so don't let the start of the trail fool you. Bring adequate hydration and make sure you have good shoes to hike in. (Even though I've seen people hike it in flip flops) If you end up hiking in the late afternoon, you end up hiking part of the trail in shade which is always a plus in the Arizona heat. Good for group hikes! read more

A great hike smack in the middle of some (extremely nice) residential neighborhoods. I did both Cholla and Echo Canyon on separate occasions. Cholla / Saturday 7/20/19, 5:20am, 2 hours Pros - Easier on the knees during descent - Fun scrambling towards the end (and some tricky but totally doable crossings) - Overall smoother ascent but felt longer - See the sunrise because facing east Cons - Busier than Echo Canyon - Ascends from east, so you'll be exposed to the sun after sunrise and during your descent - Need to park on main residential road (5191 N Invergordon Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253), and walk 15-20 min (depending how early you get there) to the trailhead. - Lots of trail runners because flatter and fewer rock scrambles, but they make you feel inadequate :/ Echo Canyon / Friday 8/9/19, 5:20am, 1hr50min Pros - Less sun exposure! - Cool rock formations - Real parking lot with water and restrooms at trailhead - Fun rock scrambling Cons - LOTS of steep rock climbing, so hard on the knees coming down (and just hard in general going up). LOTS of scrambling. There are railings on this trail, which come in very useful during the descent. - Not as well-marked as Cholla at times, but there's always a few other people hiking so ask if you aren't sure - Can't see sunrise If you're doing this during the summer, GO EARLY. The park says open sunrise to sunset, but arriving 45min - 1 hour before sunrise is fine. I found myself stopping more frequently during Echo Canyon than Cholla, but arrived more quickly. I personally like Cholla better. If you're not doing a loop, I'd recommend Cholla up then Echo Canyon. Bring AT LEAST 3 liters of water per person. I ended up drinking 1.5-2 liters but always better to have more than less. Not mandatory, but yield to uphill traffic, and stay to right & pass of left. Check out alltrails.com for more details, like a Yelp for hiking reviews :) read more

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This was a moderately challenging yet rewarding hike! I'd come early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the scorching Arizona sun. Bring plenty of water! The hike itself was anything but boring, it had steep inclines with railings to help keep you a foot, big boulders to climb, and a killer view up top. Bathrooms are located at the bottom entrance so go while you can! The round-trip hike took us 2.25 hours to complete which included a 30 min break up top. We're both fairly fit and in our early 30s. Not for the faint of heart but definitely doable and plenty of places for you to rest along the way. I'd rate this as a solid moderate hike. Knees starting tightening near the end of the day and my quads were slightly sore the next morning but definitely worth it! read more

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Hiking Camelback Mountain is definitely something that you should add to your list during a visit to Scottsdale. There are two ways up the mountain - choose between either the Cholla Trail or the Echo trail. Echo is supposed to be a little more steep and difficult, so I went with Cholla.... which not gunna lie, was still a little steep and difficult. The hike is longer than I thought it would be - we were hiking at a pretty average pace and it took around three hours total. The hike is scenic 100% of the time. Even before you start to ascend the landscape is beautiful. I loved checking out all of the massive cactus plants -- so different than anything I am used to! And then of course once you start to gain height the views of Scottsdale are breathtaking. Not much else to say, besides check it out for yourself. Oh, and some other tips: -Go early! I was here in March and it was sweltering hot during the afternoon... so I can only imagine how it would feel over summer. -It was mega crowded, so that would probably be another benefit of going early. -Parking seemed to be limited, so I'd suggest either Uber / Lyft or a scooter. -Comfy sneakers + lots of water and sunscreen - of course. Bringing a Camelbak to Camelback mountain is a must! This was a super fun activity and a great way to get some exercise in before enjoying many of the amazing bars and restaurants downtown. 10/10 would hike again. read more

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Camelback Mountain had been on my bucket list for quite some time. I finally made time for this amazing hike while in Arizona on a business trip. The best gift I gave to myself for Valentine's 2021 (Sunday, February 14, 2021) was the gift of self love and breath-taking views from the top of Camelback Mountain. There are two ways of getting to the top: Echo Canyon Trail or Cholla Trail. I researched both via All Trails and Google. The Echo Trail is shorter (2.5 miles round trip) while Cholla is a little longer (4.5 miles round trip). According to All Trails, as of July 2020, parts of Cholla may be closed due to maintenance. Although Echo is shorter, it is the more challenging + popular of the two, but both are considered "hard" on AllTrails. Since I'm always up for a challenge and I like things hard lol, the choice was easy... Echo all the way and FTW! Camelback is heavily trafficked. There is limited parking at the trailhead and fills up quickly. It was actually full when I arrived in the afternoon. There's free parking available at the JW Marriott about a mile from the trailhead. That's where I parked. So, basically add another 2 miles to the total round trip for the hike. For all you history buffs, Camelback became a Phoenix city park in 1968 and according to Trip Advisor, hiking Camelback is one of the top 10 things to do in the Phoenix area. I consider myself an avid, above average hiker. I've hiked Yosemite's Half Dome, Zion's Angels Landing and Alaska's Harding Icefield Exit Glacier trail, just to give you an idea. Camelback is challenging but doable. Just take your time. Face your fears, you can do it! There's a bit of bouldering and I would highly recommend wearing hiking boots for extra support and traction. Also, bring water, especially if you hike this during the summer months - I can only imagine how hot and dry the weather is. It took me about an hour to get to the top of the summit. I was inspired by the individuals who were literally running up the mountain at high speeds. Maybe one of those shirtless, perfect physique individuals is my future husband? Lol. Speedster or not, just making it to the top is quite an accomplishment! Once you make it to top, take a moment - heck take a few moments, just to be present. Breathe! Be grateful. Look around you. Be in complete awe, like I was. There's nothing quite like an adventure in the mountains, immersed in the wilderness. There are no words to even describe the amazing achievement of reaching the summit, the epic views along the way and the spectacular views of the Phoenix metropolitan area. You just have to do it! If you're ever in the Phoenix area, I highly recommend adding Camelback Mountain to your itinerary. I can now say this is one of my favorite all-time hikes. read more

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Fabulous idea to kill a couple hours if you don't mind a challenging hike. Devote at least two hours start to finish. read more

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Tough but beautiful hike! Hiked the Echo Canyon trail. Make sure to pack enough water and wear sturdy shoes and be prepared to climb. Hiking in Dec was perfect as the weather was much cooler which made this hike more tolerable. There was a man at the top with candy canes and a Christmas tree. read more

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I chose the Echo Trailhead since it was shorter even though I read it was a bit more difficult. The two black diamond rating (extremely difficult) isn't something to take lightly. I've hiked some difficult trails before (Angel's Landing) and this one was tough! The first 1/4 was a steady incline, but manageable. Once you reach the area where a railing is required to pull yourself up on the slick rocks, the rest of the trail is not for the faint of heart. There's not really a path/trail that you walk - it's more climbing up large rocks and boulders. I'm short (5'2") and I felt like I was pulling myself up the mountain a majority of the time. Despite it being difficult it was SO worth the hike! It was great to check the box and the view was beautiful. Going down was just as difficult. Definitely a leg & ankle buster - you're now climbing down all of the rocks! There were many points where I had to sit on my butt and slide down the rocks. Take plenty of water - you'll need it!! read more

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We took the Cholla Trail since this was our first time on Camelback and we read this was the easier one compared to Echo. The first mile wasn't too bad, mostly just uphill hiking with gorgeous views. The last quarter mile has a lot more climbing than we expected. Some portions were actually pretty scary. We didn't think it would be so steep, at some points we had to scale up the side of the mountain. It was definitely an exhilarating experience. Lots of water recommended, especially for the AZ heat. We went in November so luckily it wasn't as bad. The views were incredible and it was a great feeling getting to the top. It took us a little under 2 hours to get to the summit. One of my favorite hikes! read more

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What an amazing hike! I took the Cholla trail and was highly pleased. Make sure to get there early because parking is truly limited. We arrived around 9:00 am and had to wait for a spot. There are bathrooms and water fountains available. The further to the top you go, the more difficult it becomes. I had to eventually start using my hands and knees. Some of the spots are slippery and it can be easy to slip and fall. I hiked in my Nike gym shoes and was fine, but I was extra cautious. A good playlist or podcast will definitely help give you the momentum to keep going. I made it about 60% of the way, but had to turn around due to a time constraint. Felt very empowered during the process and the end. read more

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What a great adventure! We wanted to hike on the Chola Trail but it was closed so we drove to the Echo Canyon trail. There are two parking lots and we found several empty space but probably only because it was a workday, early afternoon. The hike itself is rather challenging: uneven terrain, slippery gravel, and sharp incline but if one takes their time it is very much doable. We did the hike with our two kids (ages 10 and 8) who didn't have great shoes (little traction) and I hiked in sandals. We made it to the top in 1.5 hours because we went slowly and took many breaks. The trail has a very limited shade so bring sunscreen and plenty of water. The views are spectacular throughout the hike. Bathrooms at the beginning of the trail were open and clean. Great experience and highly recommend it! read more

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Iconic AZ mountain. There are a couple of approaches to this mountain. The residential side hosts winding roads accessing high value homes. Celebrities and the wealthy live on this side of the mountain. There's rather limited access but you can get up maybe half way and see some really awesome views of the valley. The other side of Camelback offers hiking trails and more awesome views. The hikes are intense and are not meant for beginners. I've seen and heard of numerous rescues after inexperienced hikers get lost of stuck on the trail. Just be warned before you plan a hike. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and carbs to eat along the way. Oh yah and bring a camera and binoculars if you are able. read more

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Camelback Mountain really isn't a good beginner trail. It's very steep and extremely uneven. Rescues of injured out of town visitors happen frequently. During the cooler months it's primarily ankle/knee fractures/sprains. In the hot months it's Heat Exhaustion, or much worse, Heat Stroke/Deaths. There's even a Facebook Page called "Please Don't Die or Have to be Rescued on Camelback Mountain, Arizona". Visitors; do yourself a favor and go to the Desert Botanical Garden or Papago Park instead. read more

Camelback Mountain - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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If you're in Phoenix, Camelback is a must. Go early, take your time and enjoy the beautiful views of the city! read more

Camelback Mountain - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Awesome hike Bring plenty of water and sun block Will be revisiting Nice hike for the family read more

Don't bring a car if you go on a weekend. Half of the cars have California plates, and many on the mountain make it clear which cars are theirs. Many are unprepared, have little to no water, wear improper attire and have no etiquette or manners. They'll go up in flip flops when it's 110F with 10 oz of water and then need a rescue, which is why our government now needs to tell us when we can do, just like they do in California. It's beautiful and wonderful, but very crowded. Touristy. read more

We did both trails : Echo & Chola. (Two different days) Chola is a little more beginner friendly until the last half mile. It'll require more climbing rather than hiking to finish to the very top. Echo was much shorter, but steeper. There was a lot more climbing rather than walking. Definitely more challenging. I saw people really struggling and had to turn around. Be sure to bring LOTS of water. It's definitely really dry air and dehydration can creep up easily. My husband and I packed 8 bottles in a backpack, we drank 7 by the time we were done on one trip. The view is beautiful! It can get a bit crowded especially on the weekends. read more

Camelback Mountain - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

I consider myself to be in decent shape. I also used to hike a lot. This mount is probably one of the hardest ones I've done. Its not the longest (about ~2 miles) but the elevation and steepness are killers! Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area. Bring plenty of water and come early to snag a parking spot! read more

Definitely have to do this hike if you enjoy a challenge. We started about 15 minutes before sunrise. 5:00 a.m. but I recommend getting their about 30 minutes before sunrise because parking in first lot was about 90% full. 2nd lot was completely empty. They do have restrooms and a water vending machine but you should bring your own water. There wasn't very many people even though their were a lot of cars. The temp was about 89 degrees with a slight 5mph wind to the south and it's was perfect. I had a hat but didn't need it until we started coming down. The first qtr mile is mostly trail with a slight incline. Once you hit the steps and rock incline that is where the work begins. Better have good hiking shoes or you will pay the price. Once you hit the 1/2 mile mark it's nothing but boulders and incline. It's all mental from there. Stay focused and try not to look up or down. If you can't handle heights I wouldn't recommend trying this hike. Once you reach the top you won't regret it. The view is breathtaking. Honestly coming down was more work and a-little scary. That's when your hiking shoes pay off. Very slippery. We did the entire hike up and down in 1.5 hours. Definitely will do again!!! read more

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Good trails to get up, it gets more difficult on the last 1/2 mile, beautiful view of the cities of Scottsdale, Phoenix and more. Cactus and local plants, desert rocks so be careful, dress layers, WEAR THE RIGHT HIKING SHOES, and bring enough water please! I sound like your mom but I can't stress enough. My hubby and I hike often, and we consider ourself beginners; and we have seen so much accidents from in-prepared folks. It was cold and foggy/cloudy when we were here in January 2020, helicopters had to rescue a few people, unfortunately. They overestimated their capabilities and underestimated Mother Nature. A few ways to get up here, we did the one by Phoenician Resort where we stayed at. 1 day was raining and the next day was sunshine. Watching sunset here is so beautiful! read more

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The Camelback Mountain hike is amazing. It's a fun way to see all of the beauty that Arizona has to offer, but it can definitely be a little challenging. We've done both the Echo Canyon Trail and the Cholla Trail, and while they both had some great views at the top, the way up certainly came with its taxing moments. I would say that the Echo Canyon trail was easier, but there are some steep sections in the climb that require focus and determination. The Cholla trail felt like it was straight up at times. There was no easing into this trail. It begins with what feels like the stairway to heaven, and from there, the hike only continues to build. I love hiking, but I'm probably not in the best shape, so while it was definitely worth the work, there were also many times where we had to take a second to breathe. The trails are clean, and everyone you meet is friendly. Just keep in mind that Arizona is hot, and you will need plenty of water and sunscreen! Absolutely beautiful, we will always come back! read more

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Alright friends let me start off by saying this is a DIFFICULT hike even for those who are active and hike a lot. I am quite unathletic if I say so myself so this hike was rough. Now just because it's called a hike doesn't mean you're walking up an incline. It's a walk, a climb and everything in between. Bring hiking/climbing GLOVES if you can. Don't bring the cloth stuff if it doesn't have a grip. Bring PLENTY of water. Lastly, bring a backpack or drawstring or something to keep your HANDSFREE. You don't want anything in your hands while you're literally climbing over rocks. Lastly, GO EARLY! I'm talking start at 7am - 8am. The Arizona sun is no joke and when it gets crowded you feel rushed. This is not a trail you want to be rushed on. It's as much of mental challenge as a physical one because I definitely wanted to quit twice but my bf kept motivating me. To me, the view was whatever. The satisfaction of finishing my hike was even more worth it. Going down is just as tough as going up so don't let your guard down! All in all, heeds my warnings and go for it! read more

Camelback Mountain - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Definitely a challenging hike, but pretty incredible views of the entirety of Phoenix and its surrounding areas. I'm the least athletic of my group and I'm still extremely active and this took us around 2 hours top to bottom. I expected up to be harder, but my knees didn't enjoy going down the steep rocks. Overall, a solid hike! read more

TOUGH CLIMB! It goes to Double Diamond and it isn't joking! Be prepared to go up rocks and pull yourself up on railings! I fell myself so please watch your steps and don't rush! BRING LOTS OF WATER! TAKE LOTS OF REST BREAKS! Otherwise I had a super fun time and I'm proud to say I made it to the top! read more

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This was a great hike. Moderate difficulty. I can see why there was so many people on along the hike. The elevation gain is definitely felt going up because a lot of it is steep incline. Overall, it was a memorable hike. read more

I came on a Thursday morning to Echo Canyon parking, and the parking lot was somewhat full, started the hike at 11:40AM. The weather was dreary, rainy, foggy, yet there were still a lot of people. I was glad I came on such a day as I can't imagine what it'd be like otherwise. In any case, the hike was fun and rocky in some parts. I wouldn't recommend going on this hike when it's raining or pouring, because there's no view at the top that way and it'll be slippery and thus slightly dangerous. I got up in about an hour, and there's a Christmas tree at the top right now! Took me almost an hour to get back down too, got back to the car at 1:25PM. read more

We hiked this in November in the early morning via the echo trail. I would definitively not do this in any warm weather, it's already difficult enough without having to deal with heat. Too many rocks to climb over, there's very little hiking trail. There are some nice metal rails but they are only on short sections, it would be nice if there were more rails towards the second half of the hike which is more difficult. Also there are a few areas which is kind of vague where the trail is, I think it could be better labeled. Nice views on top but I wouldnt do it again. read more

Camelback Mountain - Trail - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Bucket list. What an amazing place and so close to Phoenix. Hiking to perfection. Will definitely recommend this hike to everyone!!! Breath taking king. Chill at night and early morning this time of the year. Nature is so beautiful. God really did an amazing job. :)). Blessed. read more

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For the beginning of fall season it was a perfect time for an engagement....for our dear friends!! Weather was sitting at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit with creeping temperatures rising as the sun burst out its rays on our skins and sweat beads dripping from each ascend. But it was well worth it!! Started at 9am and reached the top with happy cheers and a drone capturing the emotions of our dear friends surprise engagement, and fellow hikers cheering on the moment!! Aside from the happy day, be prepared for rock climb up on the Echo Trail. Great butt workout! Depending on your experience you can go up and down like a breeze. But if you're out of shape take it easy and you will reach the top! Beautiful views of the city and the surrounding areas!! Happy Fall 2017!! :) read more

Camelback Mountain - View - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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A rigorous workout and some sore lower body parts is what you will receive from this hike. I felt that as an Arizonan it was finally time to do the famous Camelback hike. This hike was treacherous, challenging, sweaty, and extremely rewarding. I workout 3-4x a week and it still swiftly kicked my butt. I had no idea what a journey this hike would be but, it was definitely worth the view from the top of the mountain. It felt great to see Phoenix from above from all angles. The rocks can be slippery and I even used my hands for a lot of the hike to climb up the mountain. This hike is not for the weak, be PREPARED! It is so great though, very fulfilling. read more

Camelback Mountain - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Great hike. Views from the top are great. You can see the whole valley from up there. Be careful near the summit, lots of scrambling read more

Camelback Mountain - Camelback summit - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

I've hiked this mountain several times now. I like Echo trail because it's challenging. Your legs get a good workout going up and then coming down, you work your arms. Whether you hike in the cooler months or in the hotter ones, it's always a good bet to go as early as you can. 1) Finding parking is an issue. Usually the lot fills up about 2-3 hrs after sunrise. 2) I've hiked the Echo Canyon Trail recently (in May). Even though at the peak of the day it's 100 degrees, between 5 and 7:30 it stays below 80 degrees. ECHO: 1) Roundtrip Echo takes me 1.5 hrs, and I'm not going super fast, but this is also when I've not taken many extended breaks either. 2) Definitely carry your water on your back to keep your hands free. You need all four limbs. At least two water bottles worth. 3) Wear your newest sneakers. While the urge to wear old sneakers is strong, you'll need your shoes to have a lot of grip. Just wash your shoes afterwards. Also, no need for hiking boots or anything. 4) When you're coming down, keep your eyes peeled for loose gravel strewn about and try not to step where there's a lot. You'll slip and maybe sprain your ankle. read more

Camelback Mountain - Parks Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Took off around 4pm on a Tuesday 1st of October. Perfect weather, even though the sun was beating down on the first part of the hike. Then got to the saddle and there was shade. It also started going straight up. Glad there were some handrails to help. After the straight up, you hit boulders and zig zag your way to the top. That is what you are hiking this trail for. Some great views from the top as you scan the 360 degree show. I got to sit behind some rocks in the shade to cool down and relax before heading back down. Then enjoyed the sunset on the ledge after the saddle and head down to car before getting a ticket from the park ranger. Make sure you are off the trail by sunset or you will get fined read more

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