Camelback Mountain is one of the most popular places to hike while visiting Phoenix. It is also ranked among the most dangerous/difficult hikes in the valley. Camelback’s danger is something that many Arizona visitors (including me) don’t realize prior to starting their hike.
Here are some things to know before you start your hike.
History
Camelback Mountain is located in Phoenix Arizona, nestled in the high-income town of Paradise Valley. The mountain is named after its two humps and the head of a camel appearance. The mountain’s red/ orange/ pink color reminds many visitors of Sedona. Camelback Mountain also had a historical significance for the Hohokam Native Americans circa 1400. Caves found on the north side of the mountain indicate the mountain’s sacred place in the Hohokam culture.
The Devil is in the Details
Camelback Mountain is the highest peak in Phoenix reaching 2704 feet. Two hiking trails ascend the 1280 feet to the summit in less than 1.5 miles. The Echo Canyon trail is 1.14 miles while the Cholla trail is 1.4 miles. While the Echo Canyon trail may be considered as the more strenuous of the two, both trails are vigorous hikes. If you are looking for a well-paved hiking trail this is not the hike for you. The slope is steep and the path is mostly compiled of dirt, gravel, boulders, and some hand-railed sections to help with the ascend. The average hike to the summit takes 1.5-3 hours round trip depending on physical fitness. Many hikers have to use their hands to help propel them up and down the rocks ( I know I did). While climbing the Echo Canyon trail you may see signs which warn visitors that they are attempting to climb with a vertical accent taller than the Empire State Building.
Know the Risk
This is a tough hike. Know the risk and the dangers. Both trails are difficult hikes with Echo Canyon as the more challenging route. In 2013 the Echo Canyon Trail was closed due to renovation and that year the Phoenix fire department had much fewer calls for rescues which suggests that the Echo Canyon trail is the trail where most visitors get into trouble. One article I read quoted 50 fire calls yearly for assistance on Camelback Mountain.
