Hiking Camelback Mountain - Parking, Which Trail, Better Views/Photo Opportunities? (Phoenix: casino, taxi)

[Arizona Renegade]

Tl;dr: Recommendations on which trail to hike for better views, fewer people, easier parking?

Hello, y'all. I am thinking about giving a shot at hiking Camelback Mountain for the first time, but I have several questions, so I would really appreciate some helpful replies and suggestions from someone who has hiked it before and is familiar with both trails. I should also add that I actually live in Payson, but I work in Scottsdale, near Talking Stick Casino, and I'd be planning on going in the morning after I get off work; likely, around 6:30-7:30 a.m. in the morning. So, if one trail is closer to Talking Stick, or offers easier to access from a certain direction, I would be coming from Talking Stick Casino. Also, I would really prefer to do it on a weekday, when, presumably, there are fewer people out hiking; but, right now, it would likely be on a Saturday or Sunday morning around 6:30-7:30 a.m.

With that said, I was specifically wondering these things:

• Does one trail (Cholla or Echo Canyon) offer better views of the Valley and Downtown Phoenix?
• Does one trail offer better photo opportunities?
• Is either trail likely to be less busy, have significantly fewer hikers?
• Does one trail offer easier access/better or more parking?

I should also add that I'm not an avid hiker, nor am I in particularly good shape (but, I'm in decent shape, I'd say), so I might not even want to hike all the way to the top of either trail. So, if one trail is considerably easier to hike up/down than the other, that'd be good to know. Especially, if one trail offers good/better views, without needing to go all the way to the top of it - as my main reason for wanting to do this is to be able to get a view from higher up and take some photos of the Valley and, hopefully, of the buildings downtwown. I've seen photos from other people that were taken from up on Camelback Mountain and I think they're awesome and I'd really like to be able to take some of my own. Plus, it would do me some good to get out and get some exercise, so the hike would also be a nice thing for me to do.

Speaking of the hike, for a person in average shape, about how long should I expect it to take to hike up/down either of the trails on Camelback? And if I do end up going on a Saturday or Sunday morning, is it likely going to be super buys? Will there probably be dozens, or hundreds, of people out there shortly after sunrise?

If anyone has any other information or suggestions they'd like share, please feel free to share them. I would really appreciate some replies to this post!

P.S. Are there any other mountains fairly close to Camelback Mountain (that would be comparable to hike up/down), that offer good views, that might not be overcrowded, that any of you guys might want to recommend, instead?

[BeerGeek40]

From the other side of the country but I did hike the Echo Canyon side on a trip out there. Only got about half way up -- decided it was enough. Railings will help you on some steep parts on the first half of it. Take plenty of water! When I was there I chatted with a woman who brought no water and had her 7 year old daughter with her. Wound up giving her an extra bottle that I had. This mountain is serious business.

[Arizona Renegade]

Originally Posted by BeerGeek40

From the other side of the country but I did hike the Echo Canyon side on a trip out there. Only got about half way up -- decided it was enough. Railings will help you on some steep parts on the first half of it. Take plenty of water! When I was there I chatted with a woman who brought no water and had her 7 year old daughter with her. Wound up giving her an extra bottle that I had. This mountain is serious business.

Hey, thanks for the reply and the feedback. I realize that Camelback is a serious hike, so I am prepared to possibly only hike like half-way up the mountain. I appreciate you making sure to bring this to my attention, though; as it would suck to get too far up on the mountain and find yourself in a difficult situation. I know that people actually die up on the mountain, seemingly, every year, so it's most definitely something to be careful doing.

As for that woman who was up there with her 7 year-old daughter and no water, WTF? Was this during the summer months? If so, that is ridiculous! And it was nice of you to give them so water; you may have literally saved their lives.

Btw, did you like the views from where you made it to up on the mountain? Did you like the Phoenix area, overall? And where are you actually from?

[exit2lef]

My recommendation is to ascend via the Echo Canyon Trail and descend via the Cholla Trail. If you hike that way, you get the steep climb out of the way first and then enjoy a slower descent with plenty of views along the way. You also avoid doubling back and covering the same terrain twice. To do that, you would park at Echo Canyon, which has its own lot. Cholla has only street parking along Invergordon. You would then catch a ride via the taxi / rideshare service of your choice back to Echo Canyon. Because Cholla Lane has strict no stopping / no standing / no parking prohibitions, walk to Invergordon and summon your ride there.

[BeerGeek40]

Originally Posted by Arizona Renegade

Hey, thanks for the reply and the feedback. I realize that Camelback is a serious hike, so I am prepared to possibly only hike like half-way up the mountain. I appreciate you making sure to bring this to my attention, though; as it would suck to get too far up on the mountain and find yourself in a difficult situation. I know that people actually die up on the mountain, seemingly, every year, so it's most definitely something to be careful doing.

As for that woman who was up there with her 7 year-old daughter and no water, WTF? Was this during the summer months? If so, that is ridiculous! And it was nice of you to give them so water; you may have literally saved their lives.

Btw, did you like the views from where you made it to up on the mountain? Did you like the Phoenix area, overall? And where are you actually from?

I'm from Pennsylvania but really love the Southwest. I've made two trips there - one was in November and then the second one was last month.

As for that lady and 7 year old -- they didn't make it up all the way either. Totally unprepared, and a 7 year old has no business being on Camelback to start with. People just don't do their research.

Even from half way up the views are good and the experience is worthwhile.

[RJ312]

I have always had a more difficult time with climbing Echo Canyon than Cholla. I'm in better than average shape and both trails are difficult. You need to have a lot of water or Gatorade/Powerade. Cholla is the easier trail, though there are parts of Cholla that are scary.

I prefer Piestewa because Piestewa, like Camelback, is a good workout, but there's no real danger, whereas both Camelback trails have parts that are legitimately concerning.

Parking is more difficult for Camelback for either trail than Piestewa.

[BeerGeek40]

Originally Posted by RJ312

I have always had a more difficult time with climbing Echo Canyon than Cholla. I'm in better than average shape and both trails are difficult. You need to have a lot of water or Gatorade/Powerade. Cholla is the easier trail, though there are parts of Cholla that are scary.

I prefer Piestewa because Piestewa, like Camelback, is a good workout, but there's no real danger, whereas both Camelback trails have parts that are legitimately concerning.

Parking is more difficult for Camelback for either trail than Piestewa.

I may return to Camelback again someday and try the Cholla trail. I did not hit Camalback when I was out in AZ last month. Spent some time to the east of the city in the Superstitions. Great hiking there and more than a few trails to explore.

[kytoaz]

Echo canyon is a great hike minus ALL the people that crowd the trail blaring blue tooth speakers and treating it like they're at the gym. I myself enjoy hiking for the solitude and peaceful nature. I will never hike camelback again because of this. Many many better options without the rude crowds and parking hassles imo.