Camelback Mountain, Phoenix

My husband and I hiked the Camelback today. It was VERY challenging for us - we are in our 20s but not really in shape (just started hitting the gym 2 weeks ago). The trails are NOT well marked AT ALL, so I'm not sure if we were on a yellow or blue trail (seemed like a combo of both), but we followed the people to the summit :) The whole way to the top is almost vertical - starts of with stair-like structure, and then converts into hills and hills of rocks that you have to climb - make sure to wear good shoes. The views were amazing and well worth the effort - come and see for yourself. A word of advice - unless you plan to jog to the summit, the hike there and back for a poor to average hiker will take 2.5 - 3 hours. We started hiking about 4.30 pm and half way on the way back it got dark!!! So learn on our mistakes and plan to go there early. Also, be patient with parking - they have a decent size parking lot, but there's a lot of people hiking the Camelback.

Climbed Camelback Mtn 11/26/11. It is a strenuous hike. Kids can do it with help, as well as dogs. There are times you will be scrambling on all fours. There are long sections of exposed limestone with gravel on the surface, where you almost have to surf down. It's definently a challenging hike, and the views are great! The Cons: There are people everywhere, and I mean everywhere. There are sport climbers that "run" and "skip" up and down the mtn. If you are slower than them in anyway you will be in the way, and no, they are not curteous. If you are a slower hiker, I would not reccommend this hike for you. We spent most of the hike stopping to let people pass or dealing with people right behind us. It really takes away from the hike and the nature aspect of the whole thing. We saw 1 bird, but with so many people and dogs, it's a wonder you will see anything. It really is more like an outdoor gym than a mtn climb. Something to do to check off your list, especially if you live in the valley, but not one I am going back to any time soon.

This is quite possibly the worst hike ever!! The trail head has terrible parking and no bathrooms(well there were port-a-potties)…but come on…this place is in Paradise Valley and they can’t put some actual restrooms at the trailhead. I hike to commune with nature and enjoy the scenery. The scenery here consists of shirtless men and bimbos with fake boobs, makeup, and designer gym outfits. Being from Oregon my idea of a nice hike includes some peace and quiet definitely not what you find here with screaming kids, tons of dogs, and people running up behind you nearly pushing you off the trail. The first part was fine with steps carved out but once you get to the fenced in rock area it turned into a nightmare. People scrambling up rocks in a mass herd slipping and falling all over the place is not my idea of fun. Once I hit that part I turned back. The entire experience left a bad taste in my mouth. There are plenty of other hiking spots throughout the valley to enjoy. I definitely won’t be going back.

My wife and I climbed it with our 3 boys, 11 Yrs, 8 Yrs, and 5 Yrs (yes, 5 yrs old) My 11 and 5 yr. old climbed like they had wings on. I made them stop about 50-100 yards from the top, not because they would not be able to go up, but I was concerned about going down the steep, slick parts without ropes to hold on to my 5 yr old. This is a mountain our family will do each time when we visit Phoenix. We live in St. Louis and only make it to visit my brother and his family about once a year. We did it on April 5 and temp. was about 80 degrees with a strong wind from the West. It was a perfect day. This is a must if you are in Phoenix.

A couple of buddies talked about taking in the trail and I thought I would join them. I had no idea what to expect.....what a wonderful suprise! The climb was exciting and exhilerating. The Best part was when I needed a rest, the scenery provided inspiration and the natural boost needed to get me to the top. When in Phoenix......a must!

very early hiking up camelback mountain is at first a very different experience from your normal walk around the park!! I was invited several months ago to hike camelback in the early ungodly hour of 4:30 AM!! {I was asleep an hour earlier when the dare I mean the call came from a friend inviting me to hike camelback instead of my daily five mile walk around the park.....which I would reward my self with a frapachino!!} needless to say im hooked on camelback!!!!! and become another one of those nice crazy people hiking the mountain at 4:30 in the morning!! its a very profound experience and incourarage any one who is in good condition to try it if there ever in the phoenix area and would like to take a rewarding experience not soon to forget back with them!!!.

this is very amazing but weird and what i like about it is the way it looks and i mean in a weird way

First attempted the hike last year, and only made it to the 1/2 mile marker (it ended up being 110 degrees that day). Just returned from AZ last week, and my 2 adult sons and I reached the summit. What a rush!! I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Not bad for a 56 yr old gal!

First time hikers should allow plenty of time for the round trip hike. Signage is poor beyond the fenced and railed areas and it is easy to get lost. Make sure you carry a bottle of water and proper shoes.

One of my favorite things in the valley, it is nice change from regular cardio, once you reach the top you have a beautiful view, you have to be in ok shape to make it to the top, you will be sore if you don't hike much, but if you are in shape it will be a good "sore". I dont live in Phoenix anymore and miss it so much, go hike up Camelback mountain and enjoy it for me and you, and write a review afterward, you wont regret it, that I can guarantee.