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| - Best urban park in America!
A few tips....
Uphill hikers have the right of way, some of them may be timing their ascent so it's important let them pass during narrow sections of the trail.
Parking for the Echo Canyon trailhead is a major hassle. You might be better off parking along 56th street just North of Mcdonald Road. It will only take you 15 minutes to walk to the trailhead from there.
Hike early before it gets too hot and bring plenty of water.
If you are afraid or nervous around dogs just act normal. Where did all these people learn to act like a statue when a dog passes by? If anything, that strange behavior will cause a unbalanced dog to bite. Imagine you are a dog hiking up camelback, your probably very socialized because your owner is cool enough to take you places to get exercise. All day long you have been passing by hikers who just stroll by, then all of the sudden a hiker up ahead freezes like they are imitating some kind of animal defense mechanism. As a dog you will probably think..."hmmm that's odd, why is this human acting so bizarre... I better check this person out".
Maybe holding still is the tactic to use if you come upon a stray dog loose in the streets but I can't imagine that behavior being an effective choice around a well behaved dog on a leash.
Also - have you ever seen two dogs on a leash just before a scrap breaks out? I have, and I can tell you the instant before that first bite both dogs will freeze. Cats do this too, one second of stillness before the storm - so please just act normal and walk right by. The dog probably won't even notice you were there. They are too busy looking for lizards, chipmunks and other dogs.
But I digress.
I enjoy Echo Canyon for the exercise and thrill of the rock climbing, while the Cholla Trail has better views of Scottsdale, The Mcdowell Mountains, and The Phoenician.
If you do plan on bringing your dog, make absolutely sure that before you get to the top, put the dog on a leash (they should already be on a leash anyway). There are ton's of chipmunks that live on the cliff edge right at the summit. Most dogs I know will go chasing after the first chipmunk they see and I can't imagine any dog being able to stop in time to prevent their momentum from carrying the poor pup over the cliff. They would never survive that fall. And you will never forgive yourself.
Take the hike slow and easy at the beginning. I have been timing my climbs for several years now and I always have a better time when I take it slow at the beginning and pace myself.
Fair warning for narcissists! There will be dozens of people at the top when you arrive. Think of them as your audience, and you don't want to over exert yourself and look like a slobbering, puking, crying mess when you finally arrive on stage.
The full climb from each trailhead should take a beginner about 45-50 minutes. Intermediate hikers will probably make it in around 35-45 minutes, and expert hikers in really good shape should make it in about 30-35 minutes or less.
And I am no exercise expert but I don't think running down very steep hills really helps you at all. In fact it probably jacks up your joints. Going downhill slowly will most likely work all the muscles you didn't use on the way up helping balance your workout. The only thing your working by running down camelback are the laws of gravity. So take it easy champ, everyone knows you didn't run on the way up.
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