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| Hiking | 6.00 Miles |
2,704 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.00 Miles | 5 Hrs | | 1.20 mph |
| 2,704 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | It's been about 16 years since I last hiked this mountain. I'm good for another 16.
Camelback was the 2nd hike I did in Phoenix. It soon became a regular hike for me on Sundays, even in the summer. I hiked it so many times that I came to memorize every part of the trail, finally getting bored and bent on trying to make every hike I do have at least one new section of trail that I've never done. After so many years, going back and doing trails after a decade or more, it's almost like hiking the trail again for the first time. And I can also log it in on HAZ and record it with my GPS, storing the track in my computer.
I arrived at about 6am, finding only 2 spots left in the lower overflow parking lot. It added a little bit more mileage, which I didn't mind.
I think there were railroad ties on the very lower section, or at least big steps of some sort that I remember. That section has thankfully been regraded and is smoother. The railroad ties above are still there.
The steep bare rock section with the railings hasn't changed much. Neither has my approach. I used the railing like a rope if I was climbing, even going back down backwards. Kind of reminded me of Olympus last year just below the summit.
I forgot about the false summit as you get to the top. 
Going down Cholla to the saddle is slow going, I think more so as I age. As I get older, choosing the route down is a matter of listening to my knees and looking for the least steep approach. Ironically, the longest slog of the downhill part is after it levels out and it meanders before reaching the bottom. Going back up seemed to take less time and was more enjoyable. My legs had warmed up by then and I kind of hit my stride. And then reality set in and I had to take a breather once or twice. Snapped a hiking pole just past the saddle and put that away. Got a lot of questions on the way up about going up twice in one day. Using my hands on this section on the way is even more fun than it was 16+ years ago.
Going back down Echo Canyon is the same slog it's always been. Careful with the footing, watch for scree, and get out of the way of the uphill hikers, even though the people behind me don't. 
Still lots of chuckwallas on this mountain. More than I've seen anywhere else. You would think with the traffic it would chase them away. Maybe they're like the squirrels at the Grand Canyon that get used to looking for food from the tourists. 
The crowds don't seem to be any worse than they were 16-20 years ago. Noticed a lot of out of state hikers, which I guess is kind of cool. Nice that they get out to hike it. Also shows how well known it is. Very touristy vibe, like a lot of places in AZ. Got some strong whiffs of sunscreen at times. 
Glad that in 20 years, this hike doesn't seem harder to do at all. Other than the downhill sections at times. I never timed myself before, but I think my overall time likely is more than it was in 2000 when I would do this. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
