Camelback Christmas Tree

Weather:  71°, sunny, partly cloudy, poor AQ

About this Hike:  When I created this blog years ago, its namesake was to serve as a record of my climbs up Camelback Mountain. I used to do this climb once a week most every week.  In 2016 during a brief period of unemployment, climbing Camelback or Piestewa was a near daily workout routine for me.  

Times have changed.  Camelback has only gotten increasingly more popular.  Then the pandemic struck and everyone and their brother decided they were outdoorsmen.  

Labor Day Weekend 2020 was the last time I visited Camelback.  Now more than a year since my last climb, I decided to visit Camelback on this weekday afternoon.  Surely a Wednesday afternoon won't be busy, right?  Wrong.  Parking was full and a city parks ranger was keeping watch.  I circled the lot once, thinking seriously about scrapping my plans and going home. Then a spot miraculously opened in front of me.  

Today's hike had a bit of an ulterior motive, as I wanted to see if the Camelback Christmas Tree tradition was still going on.  In past years people were offended, complained, and just generally tried to ruin it for everyone. Then bureaucracy stepped in and eventually created rules and a special use permit.  The tree is still a thing, albeit I don't see the traditional handmade ornaments anymore. All I see are bird treats.  

The hike was crowded, tourists blocked the trail for selfies, and the air was smoggy as is typical this time of year.  I also pondered all the hazards along this trail that could lead to nasty falls and broken bones.  I'll be facing a huge reduction in benefits for my employer-sponsored medical insurance Jan. 01.  

Between parking mayhem, crowds, and potential injury, I can't say I enjoy Camelback like I once did.  But I'm glad I got to see this Christmas tradition for another year. 

Camelback During COVID

Weather:  100º, sunny

Time:  42 minutes

About this Hike:  I haven't been to Camelback, Piestewa, or any other urban hiking locations since the pandemic began. Just the thought of having to distance from people, worrying about every cough and sneeze (lots of that on these dusty trails)—all on top of the parking mayhem just hasn't appealed to me.  

Today was an unexpected day off from work, courtesy of my employer extending the Labor Day holiday weekend. Being a hot weekday, I thought Echo Canyon wouldn't be crowded.

Upon pulling in, the lower lot was fuller than expected.  The upper lot, however, was not that full.  Signs warning of limited parking, yellow tape restricting benches, and new soap dispensers in the men's room were all COVID touches that I noted at the trailhead.  Regardless, there were more people hiking today than I would have liked.  There were times that people didn't want to (or couldn't) maintain distance.  With the amount of water I need to consume, and the fact my gloved hands were touching high-touch, dirty surfaces (i.e. railings), there was no way I was about to wear a mask. 

I got started around 9:30 AM and the heat ended up being a little bit intense. Between water breaks, pulling off the trail to distance from other hikers, and just making sure I didn't overheat, I posted a lackluster time, but that's OK by me.  

All that said, it's been just about a year since I visited Camelback last.  If nothing else, I feel that I accomplished a good workout today.  

Two Hikes in One Weekend!

Weather:  90º, sunny

Time:  35 minutes

About this Hike:  What have I done to deserve being so lucky as to hike both days this weekend?!  This is a great time of year for Sunday afternoon hikes because football season helps to clear out the trails. 

Parking was no problem this afternoon at Camelback.  The demographic on the mountain was a lot of older people and families with kids.  Some ASU students were thrown in the mix as well. 

It led to a lot of waiting for people to clear the trail or people generally nipping at my heels and making me uncomfortable.  I 'pulled over' many times to let other hikers pass.

My complaining aside, it was otherwise a nice hike today.  At the summit what appeared to be a gnat bit me, leaving a welt and considerable stinging.  It was almost like getting stung by a bee....very odd.

Camel's Back in Season

Weather:  100º, sunny

Time:  34 minutes

About this Hike:  Now that Labor Day is past and summer is unoffically over (although Phoenix temperatures haven't gotten the memo yet), I wasn't sure what to expect at Camelback today.

Parking wasn't a problem.  Trails were a bit busy with what I believe were predominately tourists doing touristy things—complaining about how hard the hike is, cutting switchbacks and creating erosion, stopping at the railing to chat, and of course taking plenty of selfies. 

I took numerous water breaks.  While I was never overly hot (read my last post from July), my face often felt flushed.  I still managed an actual time of 36 minutes.  I rounded down by two minutes to account for water breaks, tourist delays, etc.

Four bottles of water proved to be just enough.  I like to always have at least one extra bottle on board in case I find someone in need.  One time a member of my hiking party (not myself) had failed to bring enough water, and a so-called water angel bailed us out.  I want to be prepared to pay it forward should the opportunity arise.

Speaking of water angels, I saw one in person today.  He had 'Need Water' written across his chest and I saw him help out a group of girls. 

Otherwise, this was a great 'shoulder season' hike.  It's still too hot for a lot of people, meaning you can get a decent parking space at Echo Canyon.  Soon the droves of tourists, ASU students, and fair-weather friends will descend on Camelback, making anything beyond a mid-week hike nearly impossible. 

Hot but Safe at Camelback

Weather:  103º, sunny

Time:  42 minutes

About this Hike:  I think I found my limit for summertime hikes at Camelback. The heat felt oppressive today.  Granted, I got started around 11 AM, which was later than I would like to have commenced.

That said, I took it very slow—hence posting a time to the summit of about 10 minutes longer than normal.  I drank a lot of electrolyte water.  I took plenty of rest breaks in what little shade I could find.

I never felt sick, dizzy, or any other distressing symptoms.  I was responsible with sunscreen and don't appear to have gotten burned.  But this was not a fun hike.  It was too hot. 

And while I enjoyed having the trail almost entirely to myself, the silence was eerie.  "What if I end up in distress up here?," and other such negative thoughts were going thru my head.

A few times I saw low-flying police choppers on patrol.  PHX PD knows many bad hiking statistics are created on days like today.

Thankfully the only stat I am is one of the thousand who hike Camelback, get back to their car, and go home.

It was a convenient day to hike today, but I'm not sure it was a good day for a hike.  

Independence Day Long Weekend & Echo Canyon

Weather:  95º, sunny

Time:  33 minutes

About this Hike:  What a great day to have off!  I know some people ended up having to work this post-Fourth Friday, but thankfully I was not one of them.

The Echo Canyon parking lot was fairly open when I arrived just after 9 this morning.   Temperatures were on the climb, but still safely below 100º. 

I enjoyed an uneventful and uncrowded climb to the summit.  At the top, the ugly smoke plume from the Gila 35 fire was plainly visible. 

I've frequented Camelback on and around the Fourth for many years, and today was no exception. 

Camelback and Woodbury Views

Weather:  97º, sunny

Time:  38.5 minutes

About this Hike:  It's about time I started having some adventures again!  This weekend has had no shortage of hikes. 

Camelback Echo Canyon is best in summer.  It's even better when the June temps are below average. 

So while the trail wasn't crowded, it wasn't completely desolate either.  Parking was easy.  Below average in Phoenix certainly does not mean that it's not still hot out.  The heat definitely got to me today, as my time attests.  I always live by the motto, "If you finish with enough water, then you didn't have enough."  I had three bottles and had downed most of the third when I reached the trailhead parking lot. 

I also wonder if I should have paid more attention to air quality alerts today.  The smoke from Woodbury Fire is just in a giant circle around the entire valley.  Four Peaks and other points north are invisible.  When I got home I developed a headache that's still with me off and on tonight as I write this.  My hiking clothes smelled strongly like a campfire.

Last Day of Vacation - Camelback

Weather:  83º, sunny

Time:  35 minutes

About this Hike:  Last night we arrived home after several days of hiking and kayaking around the Las Vegas, NV area.  I opted to take today off work as part of my vacation so I could have an unpack and decompress day prior to returning to the rat race.

Needless to say, late morning on a Wednesday seemed like a safe bet to find parking at Camelback.  I was right.

It felt good to be back on the mountain again.  A number of hikers were pointing out a rattle snake sighting earlier in the day.  I must have just missed it.  Several hikers were looking for it, saying it had slithered under a tree.  I hate snakes and am glad it stayed there.  Regardless, I was just a little more cautious about where I put my hands on this hike.

My time to the summit wasn't great.  It was likely hampered by some dehydration I've been experiencing.  That's what happens when you spend several days in the dry Nevada sunshine.  I made a lot of stops and went through almost all my water today.

Regardless, this impromptu hike was good use of my time on the last day of vacation. 

New Home, Lots of Changes, Same Old Camelback

Weather:  75º, sun

Time:  34 minutes

About this Hike:  The last time I contributed to this blog, I still lived in my old condo.  I was just beginning to pack that weekend, and the big move wasn't even for-sure at that point.

A lot has transpired during these busy past few months. There were hikes out in the Superstitions that somehow never made it on here—First Water and Peralta to be exact... Both marvelous and fantastic places in their own right.

This blog was primarily intended to serve as a scorecard, chronicling my Camelback and Piestewa excursions.  So today marks the first time my boots touched Echo Canyon since October 2018.

There was one attempt in November that ended with me frustrated and going home after much wasted time and gas circling the parking lot. 

I had today off from work because I had an out of town guest.  After dropping her at Sky Harbor, I had this day off to play.  My expectation for a reasonably quiet Echo Canyon was quickly dashed. While the overflow parking was full, the main lot had spots.  It was still busy today.

And regarding out of towners—there were many on the trail today.  I gave myself a generous handicap due to being stopped for tourists blocking the trail for photo ops, not respecting proper trail etiquette, and just generally getting in the way. 

In the end though, it was an enjoyable hike.  From the summit I observed how this record-wet winter is impacting the vacant land around my house—instead of a brown field, it appears to be a green city park from atop the Camel's back.  And it was fun to find my office and laugh at my co-workers working away down there.

It felt good to be on Camelback again after all these months.  

An OK Day on Camelback

Weather:  76º, sun

Time:  34 minutes

About this Hike:  It's one of the coolest and wettest Octobers on record the TV weather say.  I originally planned to hike Camelback yesterday morning, but just as I was about to leave it started to rain.  And rain.  And rain some more. In fact, rain didn't let up until just after 3pm yesterday. 

People post majestic pictures of the waterfalls that form on Camelback during rain.  Much as I'd love to experience that firsthand, the slick rocks and fear of falls/injury kept me indoors during a rare rainy Saturday in Phoenix. 

But today the clouds had parted and the sun shone once again in Phoenix.  I had a theory that with last week's win all the fair-weather Cardinals fans would be watching the game.  In past years during the autumn NFL season this theory has proved true and trailheads have been empty.

Today that was not the case.  Camelback was packed.  I had trouble getting parking, and when I did, it was a spot I was less than comfortable leaving my car in.  The trails were crowded, and many hikers were from out of town based on their conversations, lack of trail etiquette, etc.

Parts of the trail were still damp, and at one point a little stream was tricking down the mountainside.  Very cool.  Otherwise, I was admittedly grumpy on this hike.  The crowds, constant bottlenecks, people nipping at my heels, worrying about my car in the parking lot—it all kinda got to me. 

But, in the end my car was OK.  And I was OK.  And it was a good workout on this beautiful October Sunday afternoon. 

Echo Canyon & Mountain Rescue

Weather:  95º, humid, sun

Time:  36 minutes

About this Hike:  After a week visiting family in Upstate NY it was time for a good Phoenix hike again.  Much heavy restaurant food was consumed, all washed down with plenty of local craft brews.  It was time to sweat it out and get back to feeling good about myself again.

Parking was abundant this morning, although other hikers slowed me down a few times.  That, and the scorching desert sun, plus monsoon humidity, did nothing to help my time to the top.  The views from the summit were exceptionally clear this morning, with haze being heaviest over the east valley. 

On descent I moved wrong and hurt my right shoulder.  It's not severe at all, but it put a damper on the remainder of the hike and left me pondering ominous what-if questions.  However, as I slung myself down the steep embankment where there's just one railing for both sides, I noted a guy with cuts on the side of his face also gripping the railing.  He was conversing with other hikers as he worked his way down, so I didn't think much of it. 

Distant sirens began to approach the Echo Canyon parking lot.  As I finished the railings and rounded the railroad-tie stairs, the parking area came into view.  Fire trucks and EMTs were pulling in.

As I neared the trailhead, EMTs laden with the big wheel and other life-saving gear were on the ascent.  An EMT asked a hiker in front of me if she'd seen the guy and they discussed his injury.  It was the guy I saw with the scrapes on the side of his face.  I hope he's OK, and I wouldn't be surprised if we get the story on tonight's local news. 

This afternoon as I type my blog my right shoulder is fine.  It maybe feels a bit tight, but then again I've been having a lot of unrelated shoulder problems these past few weeks.  I have much to be grateful for including a beautiful, safe hike this morning.

Post-Monsoon Camelback Echo Canyon

Weather:  97º, humid, sun

Time:  35 minutes

About this Hike:  Temps might be lower, but humidity is waaay up.  Last night we had a thorough soaking from the third monsoon storm in a row. I'm not complaining though; we need this rain bad.

The humidity definitely slowed me down a bit, what with frequent water breaks.  Otherwise, the mountain wasn't overly crowded today, but it wasn't desolate either.  Parking in the main lot was easy.

The trails were well dried out, as the desert soil seems to do.  Erosion from rain and hikers' boots is definitely prevalent on the Echo Canyon trail right now. 

At the summit there were gnats and dragonflies everywhere, hence why I didn't stay long.  Today was a routine, enjoyable monsoon-season hike.

Monsoon Clouds, Giant Swallowtails, & Camelback

Weather:  93º, humid, cloudy

Time:  33.5 minutes

About this Hike:  Monsoon 2018 is in full force.  Temps area little lower, humidity levels are higher, and clouds are hanging over the Valley.  While the blazing sun was not an issue today, the humidity definitely took it's toll on my time up the mountain.

Initially, I thought weather conditions may spur a rush of hikers at Echo Canyon, filling up the parking lot.  I probably was correct early this morning.  The 'Lot Full' sign was tossed to the side, but precariously close to blocking the entrance.  Upon my mid-morning arrival parking was abundant.  Again, I needlessly burned two-times the Vitamin G by driving the Xterra instead of the Mazda.  (I do this because I'm particular about where I park the Mazda; I'm more lenient with the old Xterra.)

It was an enjoyable hike on crowd-free trails.  Views from the top were beautiful in the gray light, and the air around the Valley seems cleaner now that this rain-less spell is behind us.  Large black butterflies (Giant Swallowtails?) swarmed the summit as they often do once monsoon moisture gets in the air. 

All in all, a fantastic day for a hike on the camel's back.

Hot Camelback

Weather:  95º, very sunny

Time:  32 minutes

About this Hike:  According to my records the last time I visited Camelback Echo Canyon was Presidents Day.  As in, back in February. 

My phone record 34 minutes and 44 seconds today.  I am giving myself a handicap on the time due to a number of necessary quick hydration stops.

Admittedly my in-city mountain hikes of choice (Piestewa and Camelback) haven't been my highest Saturday priority anymore.  I have a little bit of PTSD from the nearly shattered knee at Piestewa May 6, 2016.  But I walked away from that fall relatively OK. 

Much as I love a good hike, the thought of falling, getting injured, and not hiking again haunts me.  Even after I meet my crappy insurance's high deductible, would an injury bankrupt me?  These thoughts race through my mind and suddenly a hike doesn't sound so appealing anymore.  Yeah, I've dealt with these feelings a lot lately.

But today I had a great opportunity to visit Camelback.  Summertime heat drives away the crowds by mid-morning.  I had it in my head that with The Valley's ever-growing population it was going to be crowded today.  I drove my old gas-guzzling Xterra up there, ready to snatch any available parking space (I'm very particular where my Mazda gets parked).  Good parking spots were abundant, and had I driven the Mazda I would've used about the half the gas.  Oh well...it's only five miles each way. 

So about this hike....Distance makes the heart grow fonder, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Echo Canyon again.  Honestly, the heat is a small price to pay for easy parking, less crowded trails, and a certain degree of solitude.  There was one regular hiker in front of me who said it was his sixth time up the mountain today.  I consider myself to be in decent shape, but after one summit and down at Camelback I feel like I accomplished a work and a half for the day.  This older dude put me to shame. 

Humming birds were abundant, and I nearly used a chuckwalla's crevice as a handhold.  Thankfully I saw him in time, or he might not have been too happy with me.  That was all the wildlife I saw today. 

Despite some haze over the East Valley and McDowell Mountains to the north, the rest of the Central Phoenix was pretty clear today.

All in all an enjoyable, hot summertime hike. 

Presidential Camelback

Weather:  63º, overcast, very windy

Time:  30 minutes

About this Hike:  Presidents Day isn't a huge holiday, right?  (Technically I'm not supposed to have it off, but was granted it this once...but that's another story.)  So I thought...

I ventured up to Echo Canyon at about 1 p.m. today.  The 'Lot Full' was sign was up; the gate was down.  Cars were circling the area like vultures waiting to pounce.  Residential streets in the area have since erected 'No U-Turn' and 'Local Traffic Only' signs due to the high number of parking-spot seekers who turn around in their driveways. 

So I headed to my secret spot.  Fitting for today as said secret spot has a presidential suite and has hosted both President Trump and former President Obama in recent years.  They still haven't put gates back up, although a sign warns that Camelback hikers should visit the valet stand first...I guess they're on to us; the secret is out. 

About 10 minutes later I had returned on foot to the Echo Canyon trailhead.  The lot was no longer full.  Gates were re-opened; signs were down.  This happens 9 out of 10 times when I choose to park off-site. WHY!?!

Today I could have used a close parking spot at the trailhead.  With the howling wind it was chilly.  It's about three months later, but winter finally got the memo... The trail was crowded, but there were large sections of open trail.  I made a number of water stops not because I was thirsty (the cool temps will do that), but because I knew hydration is not to be forgotten. 

In the end I reached the summit in about 30 minutes—maybe even a hair less.  Not bad considering the crowds.  I've also got the remnants of a cold that's all in my lungs.  Thankfully my chest didn't hurt too bad on this hike.  Hopefully that howling wind didn't have anything toxic in it...  I will say that wind nearly blew me off balance a few times.  Naturally, I didn't remain on the summit for long, just long enough to snap this panorama.  Dark skies are to the west; slightly clearing skies in the East Valley.  Such a beautiful, blustery winter day in Phoenix:

(Not) a Twisted Ankle at Camelback

Weather: 78º, sunny

Time: 30 minutes

About this Hike:  Echo Canyon parking was full this morning.  I got into the lot, circled, and decided to leave.  As I headed out the park rangers had just closed the gate.  I was headed to Piestewa.  But first, I thought to check my secret spot.  Last time, they had put gates up at this secret parking garage.  Today the gates weren't just open...they were gone!  Nervously, I parked at my secret spot and made the 10-minute trek back to the trailhead.  Plenty of parking spots were now open.  Seems it always goes this way....

I seriously question the time I posted this morning.  My S-Health app that I use for tracking workouts was acting up.  One of the settings flipped itself and the phone was talking to me all through my hike.  "Workout paused," followed by, "Workout resumed" accompanied me all the way up the mountain.  I know I had turned this setting off once before... It's embarassing when you're on the trail and your phone starts to speak.  I wanted to pitch my ancient Galaxy S5 off the mountain a few times (insurance claim and a new phone!?).

So anyway, when I reached the summit my phone actually said 29 minutes and change.  I don't believe it.  Usually I round down for a handicap (slow hikers, bottlenecks, etc.).  This time I rounded up.  If nothing else, I'm an honorary 30 & Under Club member....

Tomorrow I'm supposed to leave for my annual fall trip to Sedona.  The year 2017 has been fraught with challenges, sickness, injury, and disappointment—Both in my life and on a national scale (just watch the news:  shootings, mass fires, hurricanes).  So my vacation is already in jeopardy due to some difficult people who were supposed to accompany me.  And I thought to myself this morning, "If ever there's a day where I could get injured doing a big hike like C-Back, today's it..." 

I grazed the knobby bone on my right ankle against a rock.  Literally a light graze.  But it tore the thin skin in that area and cause some minor swelling.  Guys are huge wimps when it comes to injury/illness, and I'm far from an exception to this.  I'm walking on it fine, and the pain is intermittent now.  Hopefully this is just a scrape and I'll be posting on here about numerous Sedona hikes that I have planned for next week....

Tour Guide on Echo...

Weather:  92º, sunny

About this Hike:  I was with some good company and chose not to do a time trial.  With warm-ish temps (although very nice for late May), I didn't want any of my visitors to croak from heat exhaustion.  No Cholla trail here though—my visitors are required to do Echo Canyon :)

The trail wasn't too crowded this Friday morning.  We saw some wildlife including several big orange lizards and a unique bird.  Maybe a roadrunner?

Routine and enjoyable late-spring hike before the real heat sets in.

New Record: Two Months off from Camelback :(

Weather:  90°, sunny, monsoon clouds

Time:  32.5 minutes

About this hike:  Two months without a Camelback hike is upsetting to me.  However, other things have been going on in my life (all good—no injuries or anything like that!) and I just haven't made the time this hot summer.  Plus, with my near knee-shattering incident on Piestewa in early May, I've been a little scared to hike.

Yes, it's been two months since my feet touched the hallowed ground at Camelback, but my time has hardly suffered.  Yes, I'm over 30 minutes, but just barely.

With ASU's fall semester in full swing, I expected the mountain to be crowded.  Parking lot ended up having plenty of spaces.  However, for the hikers that were braving the humid monsoon air this morning, it was like amateur hour.  I found myself frustrated with slow, selfie-taking, inconsiderate hikers often.  Oh well...at least it was a safe, enjoyable hike otherwise.  Always good to be back...

Camelback and Changes...

Weather:  55°, sunny

Time:  27 minutes

About this hike:  I'm giving myself 27 minutes today, so a tie of my previous record up Camelback Echo Canyon.  It was actually 27:56 when I stopped the time with a handicap, but whatever...I'm solidly under 30 minutes to the summit.

Today was a fun adventure in discreetly changing in the car.  It's a skill I've gotten quite good at (especially in rental cars at the beach in San Diego).  I had a meeting this morning right around the corner from the trailhead, and good planner that I am, all my hiking gear was in the car ready to go.

I'm so glad that I took advantage of this beautiful afternoon to enjoy Camelback.  I've said it many times before—our city's mountains never grow old.

Christmas Atop Camelback

Weather:  49°, sunny

Time:  33 minutes

About this hike:  I sure have missed a lot of weeks.  But weekends are often filled with other things now--even better than hiking our beautiful Phoenix mountains!

Today I was able to make it back to Camelback.  I think I'm a little out of shape after all these weeks off.  While 33 minutes isn't bad, I had to take quite a few breaks.  Not acceptable in cooler weather. Parking was among the most challenging I've ever dealt with, but a little creativity got me in the gate at my secret parking spot.

Primary reason I put up with Camelback and all it's crowdedness today was to see the Christmas tree on top.  It did not disappoint.  Santa was up there as well, taking photos and passing out candy canes.  Despite the sub-50 degree temps, shortly after starting out I had to take off my hoodie.  A Santa suit had to be warm for hiking up in.