Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Camelback Mountain Day Hike
when Trip Report : December 11, 2014
  Trip Report : January 29, 2000
  Trip Report : November 7, 1998
where Phoenix
the hike     Camelback Mountain is the best known mountain in the Phoenix area and serves as a landmark throughout the Valley. The club has only hiked the mountain once and that was from the tail. Because the mountain is such a popular hiking destination and parking is limited (even with the recent expansion of the Echo Canyon parking area), we will do this hike during the week – Thursday, December 11, 2014.
    Camelback Mountain is the tallest in the Valley at 2704 feet. Views from the top are spectacular and extend across the entire metropolitan area. The nose of the camel points west and lies near the boundary of Phoenix and Paradise Valley. The tail is almost in Scottsdale. Sorry about that, you Scottsdalians.
    The trail is steep and has lots of big steps. The Cholla side has big boulders and requires some scrambling and following the painted dots on the rocks.
    We will start at Echo Canyon trailhead and proceed up the trail to the summit. The distance is approximately 1.5 miles and the climb is about 1200 feet. After a break, we will descend the Cholla trail to the bottom on the east end and then return to the top and descend back to the Echo Canyon Trailhead. The total distance is approximately 6 miles and we will climb the mountain twice for a total of 2400 feet elevation gain.
    We can go to a nearby restaurant for lunch afterwards. Dress for the weather.
Required:
•  Sturdy hiking boots
•  At least 3 liters of water
•  Rain poncho
•  Hat, sunblock, sunglasses
Recommended:
•  Lunch or snacks
•  Camera
distance 6 miles
time 6 hours
EC +-2400' elevation change
elevations 1,424' (Echo Canyon Trailhead) to 2,704' (Camelback Mountain)
type round trip
starting at
Echo Canyon Trailhead 33° 31.294' N,  111° 58.450' W  [NAD27]
on trail 100%
rating "B"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs allowed no
cost Parking is free but scarce. Please arrange to carpool to the trailhead. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5/non-member.
weather Phoenix
meet 9:00 AM at Echo Canyon Trailhead and parking area, 4925 E McDonald Drive.
drive
•  Coming from the East Valley, exit SR 202 at 48th Street.
Proceed north past Camelback Road until the road curves to the right.
Intersection of McDonald Drive is in the curve.
Proceed east on McDonald Drive and look for Echo Canyon on your right.

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