Lower portions are easier to follow, but the last third of the climb is a challenging scramble over large boulders. Take a big boost of self-confidence: you’re strong to have made it this far and so close to the top! Face masks must be worn publicly throughout Maricopa County. In the late 19th Century, the land was slated as part of a million acre Indian reservation. Echo Canyon is the popular route, which ascends 1,400 foot up the western side of the mountain in just over a mile. Two main trails lead to the summit of Camelback, a camel-shaped mountain just 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix. Phoenix is a beautiful place to Visit and if you’re Looking for a challenging hike, Camelback Mountains or for you. It happens hundreds of times a year. Cholla gives the hiker a nice challenging hike with great views of Scottsdale and Phoenix and is also a great place to watch the sunrise. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from October until May. The next part of the climb gets difficult and following the trail marks isn’t as easy- we have to start hiking the camel’s hump and there can be some steep moments! Camelback became a Phoenix city park in 1968 and hiking it is one of the top 10 things to do in Phoenix according to Trip Advisor. We plan to open all Snow sports on Friday December 18th, 2020 (weather and conditions permitting). Directions to Camelback Mountain: Echo Canyon Trail & Recreation Area: First get to McDonald Drive either from the east, travelling north on 44th street (which turns into McDonald Dr directly on the northwest side of the mountain) or by traveling south On Tatum towards Camelback Mountain.About 0.1 miles east of Tatum on McDonald is the turn for Echo Canyon Parkway on the south side of … Located just 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix, Camelback Mountain is one of Phoenix's best hikes and most popular attractions for thousands of visiting hikers each year. If you’re looking for […] We invite you to hike Camelback Mountain with us (click here for guided hikes), up either the Echo Canyon Trail or Cholla Trail. Both are rated extremely difficult. If you are prepared for the physically demanding climb, please remember the following suggestions: Camelback Mountain is a very popular hiking destination so do be prepared for heavily trafficked trails and for the hike to take approximately 2.5-3 hour for most groups. Camelback Mountain sits 20 minutes Northeast of Phoenix, in the always popular Scottsdale. As a part of the Echo Canyon Recreation Are, Camelback is one of the most popular hikes in all of Arizona. Camelback Mountain is a hiking destination for both locals and tourists in the Valley and is located in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area between Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. Get Instagram-worthy pics at the iconic Hole-in-the-Rock formation. Great hike somewhat difficult if your a novice, we hiked all the way through and took a LYFT back around to our car. Use caution and know your physical limitations. Check out these beautiful valley hikes this summer instead! Contact us for news, web requests, questions and more! Also, please note that some businesses and public spaces are temporarily closed due to COVID-19, so be sure to verify hours of operation before visiting. The final ascent will bring you up the east side of the Camel’s hump. Cookies are used for measurement, ads and optimization. Two hiking trails ascend 1,280 feet (390 m) to the peak of Camelback Mountain. What to expect: Cholla Trail is a slightly longer and steadier climb than Echo Canyon, but that doesn't mean it's not tricky. Load up on sunscreen and hydrate yourself plenty as this first part of the hike is mostly exposed to the sun during the day. With over 167 skiable acres with 39 trails at Camelback and each trial averages 4 acres there is plenty of space for everyone to practice physical distancing. If you're short on time, in good physical shape and up for a challenge, Echo Canyon is the trail for you! Both Echo Canyon Trail and Cholla Trail are rated extremely difficult, challenging hikers with exposed rock, strenuous climbs and sections of hand-over-hand climbing. Camelback Mountain is just 20 minutes from downtown and can be seen all over the area, rising to 2,707 feet. Because of Echo Canyon's location, there is less space available for parking. See more about. For all visitor inquiries please contact us at, Resource Guide: Moving Forward in Phoenix, Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia. The hiking path has dirt, gravel, boulders, and some handrail-assisted sections. Order a FREE guide to help you plan lodging, dining, and things to do on your next trip to Phoenix. Plan accordingly. The two different routes to the 2,680ft summit offer different challenges, and both are featured in this guide. Take breaks when needed, step carefully and be mindful of loose rocks. The crowds make for good people watching. Camelback Mountain Climbers Become a Camelback Climber and view times of the fastest climbers in Phoenix. Camelback Mountain is one of the most popular hiking and rock climbing destinations in Phoenix, Arizona and offers spectacular views of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Hiking Camelback. Read below to find out which best suits your fitness level. Camelback Mountain, Phoenix: Address, Phone Number, Camelback Mountain Reviews: 4.5/5. It’s a popular spot for hikers, rock climbers, and tourists, so make sure you do the hike as early as possible, with sunrise being the sweet spot. Length 2.6 miElevation gain 1161 ftRoute type Out & back Projects Apparently Linked How long will it take? Plant species include the saguaro, cholla and prickly pear cacti, as well as native trees such as mesquite and palo verde. After a safety briefing and training, gear up and ride across rugged, rocky trails in the scenic Bradshaw Mountains, as well as cross the Agua Fria River. Get our emails with the biggest events, deals and other cool things in the Greater Phoenix area. Although it requires no harness or ropes, it feels at times more like a climb. -    There are no public restrooms or drinking fountains at the trailhead. Two difficult trails ascend 1,420 feet to a summit resembling the hump of a camel's back, affording 360-degree views of the surrounding city. Check out Hike Camelback Hiking Tips! Camelback Mountain: Fun short hike with kids - See 2,510 traveler reviews, 1,351 candid photos, and great deals for Phoenix, AZ, at Tripadvisor. Be sure to note trail signs and do not venture off main paths. Speedster or not, go ahead scroll down & post your time, as just reaching the summit is a heck of an accomplishment – (prove it with merchandise). Please respect residents of the area. Two difficult trails ascend 1,420 feet to a summit resembling the hump of a camel's back, affording 360-degree views of the surrounding city. Phoenix's desert preserves, including Camelback Mountain, are home to native species such as the desert tortoise, chuckwalla lizard, cottontail rabbits, and rattlesnakes (hike with caution). The first mile or so is trail hiking. Camelback Mountain’s Echo Canyon Trail remains open, as do more than 200 other miles of hiking trails throughout the city, providing plenty of hiking options." If you're pressed on time or feeling out of shape, this is a great ascension point to reach and from which to retreat! - See 2,503 traveler reviews, 1,343 candid photos, and great deals for Phoenix, AZ, at Tripadvisor. It takes about an 1.5 hours round-trip for hikers in good physical condition. The parking lot is busy and will typically remain full from early morning throughout the day on weekends. That said, this trailhead is a ton of fun for the physically fit! Find some hotels and resorts to stay at here. Hydrate, pay attention to your surroundings and keep an eagle’s eye out for trail marks. This trailhead has restrooms, benches and water. Hop on your own ATV on this off-roading adventure in the Sonoran Desert. The Echo Canyon hike is the more rugged of the two and requires steep climbs and scrambling over large rocks. Be sure to check out our reviews on Yelp! Both Camelback Mountain trails provide a great cardio workout, fantastic views and interesting wildlife & landcape. Slowly, you’ll reach what feels the culmination of your Camelback Mountain hike – you’re about half-way but man oh man, is the remainder worth the view and feeling of accomplishment at the end! Camelback Mountain Located just 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix, Camelback Mountain is one of Phoenix's best hikes and most popular attractions for thousands of visiting hikers each year. However, once you reach "the saddle" the hike becomes more intense and predominantly scrambling for the final stretch. Hike Camelback is owned and operated independently from the City of Phoenix. The City of Phoenix is actively monitoring the base of the trail, permitting hikers of any capability or residence from hiking. Hiking Camelback Mountain is a seriously rewarding experience and seriously not for everyone. The mountain is located in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area northwest of Scottsdale and between the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix and the town of Paradise Valley. The Echo Canyon Trail is considered to be a more difficult ascent than the Cholla Trail. Welcome to the iconic Camelback Mountain, named for its resemblance to the head and humps of a resting camel. Camelback Mountain Cholla Trail is temporarily closed. Camelback Mountain via Cholla Trail [CLOSED] is a 2.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Paradise Valley, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. However, you will be rewarded with a killer birds-eye view of the city and a tighter ass. This incredible rock formation, named for its visual resemblance to a kneeling camel, is located in Phoenix, Arizona.Although this hike is rated as strenuous, it doesn’t take too long to complete, so it’s a perfect activity for a day hike if you’re visiting the city of Phoenix. Make note that Camelback is “urban” hiking. Hikers can traverse 50 miles of trail at South Mountain Park and Preserve, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. Camelback Mountain Cholla Trail is temporarily closed. Cholla Trail is an excellent choice for a moderate to somewhat difficult hike on the Camelback Mountain hiking trails! There are two hiking trails on Camelback: Cholla Trail and Echo Canyon Trail. In fact, Camelback is still often to referred to as "Sacred Mountain". Camelback Trails Pictured below are trail maps for all 4 trails on Camelback Mountain. Trailhead: 6131 E Cholla Ln, Paradise Valley. Click here for information or pictures of the Echo Canyon and Cholla trails. Part of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, Camelback gets its name from its two rock formations that resemble the head and back of a kneeling camel. Both trails are considered strenuous with steep grades. Camelback Mountain Hiking Information Pick Up Locations. It became a city park in 1968, and sits right next to Phoenix's Arcadia neighborhood — a great dining spot — and the town of Paradise Valley. Read below to find out which best suits your fitness level. Camelback Mountain via Echo Canyon and Cholla Trail is a 4.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Paradise Valley, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Feast your eyes on breathtaking panoramic views of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley as you follow the trail along the spine of the camel’s back, winding west toward the top of the hump (and highest point of elevation on Camelback Mountain). Walk (or bike) around the red buttes at Papago Park. Learn more about the Sonoran Desert here, or if you're looking to see more of the desert's birds, check out some top bird watching spots. If you'd rather gawk at the Phoenix landmark from the ground (preferably with a cocktail in hand), there are plenty of restaurant patios and resort pools with views of Camelback Mountain, including The Phoenician, Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, Chelsea's Kitchen, and Steak 44. Camelback Mountain: Great hike. IF YOU CHOOSE TO HIKE IN ARIZONA'S SUMMER MONTHS, PACK PLENTY OF WATER, HIKE EARLY IN THE AM AND IN THE EVENING BEFORE SUNSET. That allocation was later reversed for water-access based reasons and sold to private interests, but efforts toward the preservation of the mountain continued through the 20th Century. -    There is no parking nor passenger drop-off on Cholla Lane. -    Follow the blue markers to stay on trail. The Echo Canyon Trail is 1.14 miles (1900 m) and the Cholla Trail is 1.4 mi (2300 m). Known mostly for the waterpark and ski resort on the mountain's northern slopes, Camelback Mountain is a giant sticking out above the Pocono Plateau. The views you’ll see are of Phoenix and its surrounding areas. The Cholla Trail is easily one of the most popular trails in Phoenix and for good reason. Enjoy a break in the shade as you traverse the north side of the rear-hump. The City of Phoenix is actively monitoring the base of the trail, permitting hikers of any capability or residence from hiking. This was a steep climb up, so it'll be a steep climb down. Its location in the center of town coupled with its fantastic views from the summit make this strenuous trail surely worth it. You don't want to be that person who needs to have a helicopter come lift them off the mountain. The second half of Cholla's ascent is difficult. Camelback Mountain is located in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area between Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.At its peak Camelback Mountain is 2,704 ft (825m) above sea level, and provides 4 hiking trails, 2 of which gain over 1,200 feet in elevation to the top. So do a lot of other people. There are two hiking trails on Camelback: Cholla Trail and Echo Canyon Trail. You will not be communing with nature. This trail is an intense and difficult anaerobic hike the entire 1.23 miles to the summit. 636 reviews of Camelback Mountain "I love hiking up Camelback. Cholla Trail: Cholla Trail is a slightly longer (1.5 miles) and steadier climb … The Camelback Mountain hike is one of the most popular hikes in Phoenix. Find face mask and safety guidelines along with general visitor and business information, including guidance on meetings and events, to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic in Greater Phoenix. Distinctive and dominant on the Phoenix landscape, Camelback Mountain is just begging to be conquered. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is best used from October until May. The ancient rock of Camelback Mountain calls hikers from across the world. Pick up from Phoenix/Scottsdale hotel partners, VRBO's and personal residences is included in the cost of the tour. It ascends approximately 1,280 ft, from 1,424 ft above sea level to 2,704 ft. Getting a parking spot can be a long wait if you arrive on the weekend after 6 AM as there are Climbers galore. Here at the saddle, opt for a moment of serenity at the sudden exposure to downtown Phoenix in the desert’s distance. Trailhead: 4925 E McDonald Dr, Phoenix. Camelback Mountain lies within Big Pocono State Park in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania less than fifteen miles from the Delaware Water Gap. Check out these, Echo Canyon is a difficult hike! Echo is something like an obstacle course and many of its regular hikers can make the round trip hike in about an hour. Many businesses are requiring face masks within their establishments as well. The ski mountain will open with 7 … What to expect: This steep and rocky ascent requires assistance of handrails and climbing to reach the top, but the 360-degree views from the summit are worth it. Camelback Mountain Wildlife HIKE CAMELBACK SUPPORTS HIKING SEASON OCTOBER - APRIL. 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