Sunrise Hike at Camelback Mountain
Last week, while spending a few days visiting family I took the opportunity to hike one of my favorite trails in Phoenix. A notoriously difficult hike in the valley, Camelback Mountain is one that can be seen from the plane. The mountain is shaped like the exact replica of a camels back, humps and all!
I lived in Arizona for most of my childhood, but only remember visiting Echo Canyon Trail one time with my brother and sister. My memory consists of my athletic older brother jumping down the mountain with me on his shoulders (I think I blurred out most of it). So I decided to take on the famed mountain myself on my last trip in February- it was such a rewarding experience that I had to do it again this September.
Follow my solo journey up the mountain during the desert sunrise:
5:30am
If you’re going to hike anywhere in AZ ( let alone Camelback) during the summer, first and foremost go early! The trailhead opens at sunrise, so that’s just what I did. And honestly, it was inspiring to see so many cars in the parking lot at that hour. When you first arrive, there’s a campground of sorts, where you can find bathrooms, benches, and park rangers greeting you along. In my pack, I had two large water bottles, a headlamp, chapstick ( when in doubt), a banana, and my airpods. There’s something about being alone in nature that activates your senses, puts you in tune to the world around you, and for me, fills my inner energy- even if it’s 5:30 am..
5:53am
As I approached a plateau in the initial incline, the sky was lit up in a golden orange hue. I looked out to homes and the city below and marveled at the stillness of it all. My breath was already audible as the climb up to this point was a steady elevation. Blood rushing- I snapped a photo for the memory and trekked ahead.
5:59am
The first “real” slap of Camelback mountain is in this first primary climb. Snapped a few minutes after my previous photo, I arrived to this rocky welcoming. I don’t feel like the photo gives it full justice, but it’s a STEEP incline. Safest course of action is holding on to rails on the left side and trusting the grip on your hiking boots to take you up! I will say, there was a man next to me that breezed it without any support, but I swear he was part mountain goat..
6:14am
As the sun started to make its way up, the canyon began to reflect a warm red glow on its mighty boulders. Taking a moment to look back and see how far you’ve come is always worth it. After all, you never know the beauty you may find while reflecting back. This also gave me a moment or two to catch my breath. Let me not misguide you, I was downright drenched by this point- and still a long way to go.
6:29am
The thing that makes Camelback mountain one of the most dangerous and difficult hikes in the valley, is the sheer number of rocks on trail. It’s less of a defined path and more of a maze of rocks to limber up. There are plenty of signs that show you the direction to stay on path, as that is very important; many people have died on this hike by venturing off-trail and so for newcomers, it is especially important to follow the flow of other hikers. Although it looks barren here, there are many other people hiking the same trail. The thing I love about Camelback is the community, people encouraging each other as they pass by.
7:00am
Alas, the very top of the world! The final half mile is a BEAST of a trek. Hence, my tomato red face pictured above. But oh, was the breeze up top totally worth it! Not to mention the view, it sorta feels surreal being above the city, looking as far as the eye can see. I spent probably 30 minutes up here, just taking it all in. Taking in the journey that lead me up, the feelings of emotion that came with pushing forward (I would be lying if I said I didn’t contemplate calling it a day once or twice), and the awe of the natural beauty of this world we live. This world in which we spend so much of our day inside, staring at screens, stressed, uptight, when there is a whole wide world to explore, to open our eyes to. It’s indescribable.
To see a little glimpse of the view, I added a reel below that I created from the top of Camelback.
8:07AM
To give Camelback its full credit, I have to show you all this photo from my descent down. There’s really no easy way out. In fact, the path down is a lot of upper body work if you don’t want to slip off the cliff. It’s truly all about finding the right footing, and in many cases using your hands to maneuver your way carefully through the giant rocks. You’ll see many pros wearing gloves, and it’s for this very reason- you use your arms a TON on the way down. Things were slow and steady here my friends.. slow and steady.
8:24am
With the sun all the way up, I was more than thrilled to be back at base level.
I took a photo of these maps that highlight Echo trail:
Total Length: 1.14 miles
Total Elevation gain: 1,234 feet
And so there it went, as I headed back to my car I had a deep sense of accomplishment. Not just for making it up and down the mountain, but for taking it on by myself, for taking it on in the early morning, and for doing the damn thing despite any excuses. Because those excuses, those reasons why not, those reasons why we should sleep in, those reasons why we don’t feel like it will always be there. So celebrate the moments you dare to step out of your comfort zone. The moments that make life real, that make you sweat, that make you huff and puff, that make you teary eyed, that make you sore, and that make you feel what life is really for.
