Arguably the most popular hike in Phoenix, Camelback Mountain does not disappoint and offers something for everyone. Two trails, one from Echo Canyon and one from Cholla Lane, offer starting points for your ascent. Unfortunately, the Echo Canyon Summit Trail will be closed from January 28th 2013 thru Fall 2013 for renovation and improvements.
The Echo Canyon Summit Trail has several different stages/obstacles for the hiker. The first portion of the ascent is made of stairs built by the city. The second stage is a more steep scramble over rock and dirt trails. There are hand rails for the more difficult sections and I had to use my hands a few times to get purchase on the rocks but it is definitely doable. There were multiple families with younger children on the trail as well as elderly persons, most were able to get through this section of the climb without great difficulty. The third section of the climb is steep hiking over rocks but not nearly as difficult as the previous section. I did not have to use my hands to ascend but on the way back did have to use my hands to safely descend. All in all, my ascent time was just under an hour with a few stops to take pictures and take a drink of water. Descent time was about the same. 1200 feet of elevation change from trailhead to summit.
The view from the top makes it all worthwhile. At just over 2700ft it is the highest point in Phoenix and offers wonderful views of the city and surrounding mountains/desert. Geology and flora consistent with the Sonoran Desert it encompasses.
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