Camelback Mountain is a Phoenix classic hike with great views of the city that everyone has to do at least once. If you are prepared for a challenge and don’t mind sharing the trail with a lot of other people, you will love the views and the interesting rock formations of Camelback Mountain.
Most people go up the west side on Echo Canyon Trail, which is shorter and steeper and shady in the morning. Stairs and railings help with the most challenging sections. With a carefully observant eye, you can also visit a hidden cave that you’ll probably have to yourself.
For those who'd prefer a slightly more gradual climb, or who can't find parking at Echo Canyon, there's Cholla Trail on the east side. This is also a tough trail, has full sun in the morning, and a few spots where you'll need to use hands. Most people consider it slightly easier than Echo Canyon Trail.
Those who want the ultimate challenge can "break the camel's back' - hike up one side, down the other, and then back over again.
Visit https://wildpathsaz.com/camelback-mountain/ for more details and a map
Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:38 Finding Parking
1:22 Echo Canyon Trailhead
1:35 Part I: Up Echo
5:16 Camelback Summit
5:43 Part II: Down Cholla
7:48 Cholla Trailhead
8:07 Part III: Back Up Cholla
10:34 Camelback Summit
11:22 Part IV: Down Echo
13:17 Outtakes
Music credits: "Slingshot" and "Faster" by @GoodKidband, "Mind Stream" by Chris Haugen, and "In the Distance" by Dan Lebowitz