Climbing the Camel

Camelback Mountain.

All weekend long I heard from my parents in Michigan and other family and friends in the Midwest about how terrible the weather was; it was snowing, cold, tons of rain....and in Mid-April!!!  Well that's why some of us were smart enough to move to a place where the sun shines every day and when it's only 75, like it was the other day, you feel comfortable in long sleeves.  So since I can take advantage of the warm weather and they couldn't I figured I would do something about it and that was to hike Camelback Mountain here in Phoenix.  With tax day being April 15, I propose we make April 14 a National Holiday, I mean we are all getting screwed the next day so why not have a day of celebration ahead of time and in my case that means enjoying nice weather and a great hike.  Come along and at least enjoy it by proxy if you are somewhere cold right now.

A postcard look at Camelback from the other side.

 With peaks all around Phoenix in every direction there is never a shortage of hikes one can make.  But one of the most iconic is to hike Camelback Mountain.  Sitting just east of downtown Phoenix and right in the heart of Paradise Valley, the views are incredible, but you do have to earn your way to the top to take them in.  Everyday there are tons of people making the hike, most of them from out of town and they may not make it all the way to the top, but while visiting the Valley of the Sun, they do something that they probably can't wherever they are from, hike a mountain in the winter time.  One of the quirks of hiking Camelback is that there is no parking anywhere near the trail on the eastside, as the trail sits right in the heart of a Paradise Valley neighborhood.  So finding a place to park on 68th Street can be a challenge, but once you do, you get to do a pre-hike to the trail.

Parking along 68th St. with blossoms in full bloom.

Follow the signs.

If you are not an avid hiker, no worries, as Camelback is not a difficult hike, in fact the first half is relatively easy on a groomed trail.  The second half is more difficult, but even making it halfway you'll get great views.

The first few steps up, one you start, there's no turning back!

Well groomed pathways on the first half.

About halfway up you get to a point referred to as the "helicopter pad" because its a round circle.  You are now between the two "camel humps" and you can see in all directions.  As you'll see below the views are pretty great already.

View from the helicopter pad looking over Paradise Valley.

Looking towards downtown Phoenix.  There is an airplane to the right.

Looking northeast to the McDowell Mountains.  If you look really, really closely you can see my place.

After getting to the helicopter pad, many people turn around.  After all they've just taken in some great views, they may not necessarily be much for hiking and it does get more challenging from this point forward.  Of course we are going to keep going, no matter the challenge.

That's where we are heading.  I think that guy has given up, must be a scUM fan.

See the yellow reflector in the middle, that's how we know where to go.

Keep going, see the person in Red, that's where we will be shortly.

One last push up this rock and we've made it to the top!!!!

Not everyone makes it to the top and now you know why, it's not like walking to your mailbox.  But it's also not that difficult, no matter what the pictures make it seem.  Besides, if it was simple, then you wouldn't feel the same sense of accomplishment when you do get to the top.  Enjoy the views.

McDowell Mountains and Scottsdale.

Another peak in Paradise Valley.

Looking South, ASU in the distance.

After soaking in the views and resting up after the trek upwards, it's time to head back down.  It will be easier, but you still have to watch your footing, all the rock we climbed up, we have to scoot back down.

A look down, if you look closely you can see parts of the trail in the far peak.

The views are great going down as well.

Take careful steps, you don't want to fall over the edge.

The Saguaro cactus and great views of the Valley of the Sun.

So there you have it.  You just helped celebrate April 14, our new National Holiday, the Anti-Tax day, by hiking a mountain and enjoying some warm weather.  If you are ever in Phoenix, I highly encourage to do a hike, there are plenty of peaks to choose from and if you are visiting from elsewhere, then why not, you can't do it back home.  Besides the weather is always great here and we have plenty of room, so quit lamenting your cold weather plight and move to AZ!


See you next time and as always FIRE UP!