Phoenix
Maricopa County,
Arizona
Trails:
Echo Canyon Trail
Cholla Trail
Total Time: 2:30 hrs
Estimated Distance: 4.2 miles (including walk on road to trailhead)
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly recommended, though very busy
Points Of Interest: Excellent climb with odd formations and great views
I had traveled to Arizona for the week, and was staying in Scottsdale on Sunday, nearby Camelback Mountain. The last time I was staying in the Phoenix area, I was determined to hike Camelback on my next trip, and this was my opportunity. Camelback Mountain is the most prominent mountain in Phoenix, and it's a rugged hump right in the middle of the city.
There are two trails that climb the mountain to the summit: The Echo Canyon Trail on the west, and the Cholla Trail on the east. I started at the Echo Canyon Trail. Parking here is a nightmare - especially on a Sunday in the winter. The parking lot is tiny considering the volume of people. The only option if the parking area is to park about a mile a way and walk over, or take a shuttle which I was unable to find. So I parked all the way down, and walked all the way down the road to the trailhead. I took the Echo Canyon all the way up, and then continued past the summit to the Cholla Trail all the way down, for a full Camelback experience. I was able to get a rid at the bottom back at my car.
![](//2.bp.blogspot.com/-HmBCXaR8fOE/TziVqTmvWxI/AAAAAAAADFg/uvEVTva2qlw/s400/2012_0205-Camelback-Mountai.jpg) |
Map of the Route |
![](//1.bp.blogspot.com/-2wK4Duc3y_E/TziVZPzi7yI/AAAAAAAADD4/6AJb4gvcMWU/s400/01_Camelback_mountain_phoenix.jpg) |
At the beginning of the hike |
![](//2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3GGVYCEKSE/TziVa4YLIeI/AAAAAAAADEA/dMPJm3WYh80/s400/02_Camelback_mountain_phoenix.jpg) |
Caves in the sandstone,
with some Saguaros, near the beginning of the hike. |
![](//2.bp.blogspot.com/-AOp9IdZ7d6Q/TziVbuj1RnI/AAAAAAAADEI/rxUYRcBQf6M/s400/03_Camelback_mountain_phoenix.jpg) |
Continuing the climb. |
![](//4.bp.blogspot.com/-XgBYcNkdgFk/TziVcgmF9jI/AAAAAAAADEQ/C8lK6kBQDKs/s400/04_Camelback_mountain_phoenix.jpg) |
The steep climbing scramble part. |
![](//4.bp.blogspot.com/-r5-2vSq4s6Q/TziVenWmQkI/AAAAAAAADEY/avfSjQlg2Lc/s400/05_Camelback_mountain_phoenix.jpg) |
Continuing the Ascent |
![](//2.bp.blogspot.com/-xdWNpkTWhnQ/TziVhENZp_I/AAAAAAAADEg/K5DQDaYbz30/s400/06_Camelback_mountain_phoenix.jpg) |
View facing downtown.
Facing South. |
![](//4.bp.blogspot.com/-5nBx5mwBgRU/TziVhumXqPI/AAAAAAAADEo/tTfKh-MVWUo/s400/07_Camelback_mountain_phoenix.jpg) |
Mummy Mountain and Paradise Valley.
Facing northwest. |
![](//1.bp.blogspot.com/-DXP829sTQWo/TziVidVptbI/AAAAAAAADEw/LM0C_30rbIQ/s400/08_Camelback_mountain_phoenix.jpg) |
View from the summit.
Facing southeast towards Scottsdale. |
![](//4.bp.blogspot.com/-eGDmBbK1yH4/TziViyfd02I/AAAAAAAADE4/z6oqfbJ6Bpw/s400/09_Camelback_mountain_phoenix.jpg) |
Me at the Summit. |
![](//4.bp.blogspot.com/-tWYY1yU8fwE/TziVjzpgGqI/AAAAAAAADFA/jD89dXP1cgs/s400/10_Camelback_mountain_phoenix.jpg) |
View north from the Summit, with Mummy Mnt. |
![](//1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXG2CX3ZxcA/TziVlqwFd_I/AAAAAAAADFI/wuW5RsozE60/s400/11_Camelback_mountain_phoenix.jpg) |
View from summit facing northeast. |
![](//3.bp.blogspot.com/-yt8EqHptFBQ/TziVoGpRmzI/AAAAAAAADFQ/gcnzWy639R0/s400/12_Camelback_mountain_phoenix.jpg) |
Vertical Cliff right below the summit.
Note the person on the top left. |
![](//1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4TTR7stqi4/TziVpODekJI/AAAAAAAADFY/eQLVynEin8Y/s400/13_Camelback_mountain_phoenix.jpg) |
View towards Downtown Scottsdale on the Descent. |