Probably one of the most fun hikes I've done! I love the "extreme" climbing aspects of a difficult hike and this hike does not disappoint! We started from the Echo Canyon trail head and headed up...unfortunately we started too late in the day, so we weren't able to make it to the tip top due to daylight quickly approaching. We were about 10 minutes from the top before we turned around...I knew it would take longer for me to get down than it did to go up, so I didn't want to risk it. Perhaps it was the helicopter flying over head checking on hikers that made me a bit nervous, nonetheless, I wasn't nearly disappointed in the workout I got. My entire body was sore the next day, even my shoulders from having to lower myself down some pretty gnarly rocks.
It will certainly challenge you, and there are a lot of people along the way which for us was a good thing because there were times when I could have lost my way due to poor trail markings. Sometimes its so incredibly crowded that you have to move to the side to wait your turn to move on, but that didn't seem to impair my trip any. The one thing that blew my mind were the multiple trail runners we saw along the way. I can barely run a normal trail let alone one as difficult and treacherous as parts of Camelback are. Pretty amazing!!!
This hike is not for the faint of heart but will certainly get you in great shape!!!
Know before you go: Parking is VERY limited and SUCKS. With that...good luck. Also, if you forget water, they have a good fountain at the trail head to fill up...outhouses as well.