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| - Not many things make me say "man, I wish I lived in Phoenix." But Camelback Mountain? It tops the list.
I fancy myself a relatively outdoorsy and athletic guy, and curse the fact that I live in a metro that doesn't exactly feature a ton of outdoor activities. That's why on every business trip to Phoenix I make sure and schedule enough time to get in a quality hike on Camelback. While I've heard some people say that they think it's a tough haul, I don't find it particularly challenging. It's no leisurely stroll, but I also don't think it's any sort of widow-maker.
What is it then? An incredibly convenient opportunity to get your blood pumping while enjoying some gorgeous landscapes. Watching the sun rise over the mountains and creating silhouettes of saguaro cacti is a beautiful opportunity that this midwesterner cherishes. Sitting at the peak and looking over the entire valley is certainly inspiring.
As of this writing the Echo Canyon side is closed for repairs, which is a bit of a bummer. It's the more extreme of the sides, and fills me personally with a greater sense of accomplishment. That being said, the Cholla Trail is nice as well, it just has less steep of inclines. When the whole trail is operational, I'd say go up Echo Canyon and down Cholla Trail, as I wouldn't want to try and descend some of the spots on Echo. But either way, if you're looking for good hiking not far from the city, you're all set with Camelback Mountain.
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