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Camelback Mountain
A Giant, A Legend, A Challenge
There is a reason Camelback Mountain draws a crowd each day.
From its foothills to its peaks. On the ground or in the air. It's a site always seeming to impress those who gaze upon it. Equally serene as it is challenging, to hikers, it is both beauty and beast.
Locals think it's the best urban hiking in Phoenix due to it's convenient location and scenic opportunities. Many of us visit it regularly, including my friends and I.
Often we are found trading the treadmill for the trail... Transforming our cardio workout into a scenic wonderland, with a reward of 360 degree views at the summit.
 Me enjoying a sunrise hike at Echo Canyon Park. Veterans of the mountain know there are some tricks to the trade to making a hike up Camelback seamless. After all, it is no skip in the park. It's tough, but well worth it.
Knowing how to prepare for the challenging trails, along with the tricky parking, makes for a much more pleasant experience.
First-timers usually find it beneficial to be armed with the knowledge ahead of time. From here forward I will provide all the details needed to know exactly what to expect before your trip up the mountain.
First, Some Background InfoCamelback Mountain is one of the most magnificent and prominent features of Scottsdale, Arizona. It's visible from almost anywhere in the valley.
View of the North side of Camel back Mountain.
Earning it's name due to it's unmistakable shape, it has very recognizable features including a head, two large humps and what we call "the saddle".
The summit is considered the highest point on the mountain, and peaks at 2,704 feet.
 On the nose of the camel is another prominent feature. Notice the famous " Praying Monk" perched on the forehead of the camel?
There are a total of four hiking trails on Camelback Mountain.
I personally spend my time on the main two trails, Cholla and Echo Canyon, both of which lead to the summit.
The other two are short, do not reach the summit and therefore, are not worth it in my opinion. Go big or go home, right?
There are major differences between the Cholla and Echo Canyon trails, with pros and cons to both. So how do you choose?
Echo Canyon is the most popular (and my personal favorite), but here is some information to help you decide which trail is right for you.
Cholla Trail versus Echo Canyon TrailCholla Trail starts from the tail of the camel. The trail winds its way up the first hump, down through the saddle, and finally up the second hump, peaking at the summit. It's a distance of approximately 1.5 miles one-way.
Echo Canyon trail starts from the opposite end, at the camel's nose. It leads up and around the head, over the neck and finishes with a steady climb to the summit. The distance is approximately 1.2 miles one-way.
While Echo Canyon trail is slightly shorter in distance, it is actually more difficult. I'll explain why in a minute.
View from Echo Canyon trailhead on Camel back Mountain.
Visually it is much more beautiful than Cholla Trail. From start to finish, Echo Canyon is stunning. Cholla Trail is nice, but not as aesthetically rewarding in my opinion. It lacks the dramatic rock formations at the start, but does get more interesting the higher up you go.
Read on for more details on what you can expect from each trail.
Echo Canyon TrailSo what makes Echo Canyon more difficult than Cholla Trail?
 One word: Steepness. See these stairs pictured on the right? Within 30 seconds of starting the trail, hikers are greeted by them. Echo Canyon is a bit unforgiving in that way.
There is no gradual start. It's an instantaneous, get your game face on cause I'm gonna make you feel the burn, kind of trail. And it stays that way all the way up the mountain, right to the summit.
The stairs aren't there for long, but hikers trade them for steps up large rocks and boulders the rest of the way.
The experience is very similar to a stair-climber at the gym, but much prettier. It's a sweat-fest, but my friends and I -and many others- love it. Feel the burn, baby.
Besides the stairs, I usually hear people talk about the "pole" section. And I can understand why. When seeing it for the first time, it can seem a bit intimidating. The area is very steep, so a pole has been installed to aid hikers in their climb.
When you come upon it, fear not. It's much easier than it looks.
Below are more pictures of Echo Canyon Trail, so you can get a better idea of the terrain.
Just after climbing over the head of the camel.
After ascending over the head and neck, you'll reach a path that looks like this.
Though it looks rocky, the trail is well marked and easy to follow.
 The trail maintains its steepness as it ascends towards the summit. Camel back Mountain is very popular, sometimes making the trails a bit crowded. Cholla TrailHiking Cholla Trail offers a much different experience, physically and visually, than Echo Canyon. While it is the less difficult of the two, it is still considered challenging. But the views are not as impressive.
There are a few upsides to hiking Cholla Trail, however. It is much easier to find parking, and the trail starts at a much more moderate pace.
Hikers who are after convenience and a slightly easier trail usually choose Cholla.
Looking Southeast, over the Phoenician Resort as you begin to ascend the first hump.
Look for the Blue Dot For the most part, the trail is pretty straightforward. However, there are parts to Cholla Trail that can get confusing. I learned this the hard way my very first hike up Camelback Mountain.
Once hikers pass the saddle and begin to ascend the final hump, the trail narrows and switches from dirt to granite, making it look like the path has disappeared. You'll find yourself staring at a short climb up a rock face, with drop-offs on either side.
It's not very clear where to head.
Looking down onto the "saddle" of Camelback Mountain.
 If you find yourself confused, Plan A would be to ask an experienced hiker to show you the way. Usually the mountain is busy enough that someone will be right behind you.
Or Plan B, you can look for the blue dots.
 Blue dots are painted along the trail where the path gets confusing. If you see a blue dot, you know you're headed in the right direction.
If you see a small yellow sign like the one below, it means you're headed in the wrong direction.
 Popularity Makes Parking a ProblemParking is a pain at Camelback Mountain. The good news is it's free. The bad news is, it's very limited. Trail-heads for both Echo Canyon and Cholla Trail, are located on residential streets. These streets are lined with No Parking signs to protect the neighborhoods from mountain traffic. I recommend paying attention to them. I don't know anyone who has ignored a sign and successfully got away with it. The streets are constantly monitored.
Available parking can be found here:
Parking at Echo CanyonParking for the Echo Canyon Trail is located just east of Tatum Boulevard, off of McDonald Drive, on Echo Canyon Parkway. There are a small number of parking spaces at the trail head, and a few located along Echo Canyon Parkway. If you're lucky, one will open up right away. They're like gold. Grab it as soon as you see it. Otherwise, the street is monitored by a Park Ranger who keeps cars from sitting and waiting for spots to open up. Drivers are required to circle around until something becomes available. With a few-minute wait and a bit of patience you'll find one. Parking at Cholla Trail Parking at Cholla Trail is a bit easier. Spaces are available along Invergordon Road/64th Street near Cholla Lane.
   Once you've parked, head North along Invergordon/64th. Turn left at Cholla Lane and follow it until you see the trail-head on the left. The walk from car to trail takes about ten minutes.
Tips for Hiking Camelback MountainI'm often asked the same questions from hikers who want to conquer Camelback for the first time. So I've listed these FAQ's here for reference: How challenging is Camelback Mountain? It's challenging. Especially for people who are more sedentary. I encourage everyone to give it a shot, however. Perseverance makes all things possible.
How long does it take to hike?
That answer depends on you. It always comes down to physical ability. I know veterans that get up and down in less than an hour. The average hike however, usually lasts around 2 hours.
What should I wear when hiking Camelback Mountain? Unless you lack pores on your skin, you'll probably sweat quite a bit. I recommend wearing comfortable, breathable clothing to make the experience more enjoyable. Jeans chafe. It's not fun. What kind of shoes are best to hike with? Shoes with excellent traction. This is a must. Some people wear hiking boots. I wear cross-training shoes...newer ones. I made the mistake of wearing worn out shoes once and ended up with an extremely sprained ankle. Lots of loose gravel make this hike slippery. Do I need water when I hike Camelback Mountain? Unless you enjoy parched lips and a dry mouth, then yes. I never go without it. Most people prefer to carry their water in a small backpack, keeping their hands free. It also makes a good spot for your keys and phone. What else should I know? Bring some tunes. If you're going with a group you may not need them, but music is a good motivator when flying solo. I'd also have that camera ready so you can capture your king-of-the-world moment once you've reached the top. When are the trails open on Camelback Mountain? Cholla Trail
October 1st - April 30th, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM May 1st - September 30th, 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM Echo Canyon Trail Sunrise to Sunset
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