Camelback Mountain-Cholla Trail

Phoenix, Arizona

Description

Added by Mikaela Tangeman

Popular Sunrise/ Sunset spot.Gorgeous 360 views of Paradise Valley and Pheonix off in the distance.Well maintainedGreat moderate workoutWildlife

This was my first time hiking Camelback Mountain, as I am a Seattle native. The Cholla trail was my choice since it was conveniently located a few minutes from my hotel. We woke up early for sunrise and it did not disappoint.

The first 2/3 of the trail is moderate - not too strenuous. The last 1/3 of the way is tough - using both hands and feet to scramble up boulders. Don't look down, you are climbing pretty vertical. There is a circular look out spot that many thought was the end of the trail, keep walking forward and the scramble begins. It is easy to want to stop at that point but I promise the view at the top is breathtaking. Keep your eyes on the blue dots spray painted on the rocks that mark the trail. Its easy to miss them.

Parking is a nightmare for the Cholla Trail and that was the only down fall. People had parking tickets from parking illegally so make sure you are in a designated area to park. We had to park about a mile down the road along the main road and walk to the trail head. It is a heavily populated trail and found ourselves slowing down often because of too many people on certain portions of the trail that were narrow.

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