Camelback Mountain is located just twenty minutes’ drive from downtown Phoenix, so you won’t have to wait long after finishing to reward yourself with a snack and a cool drink. As you hike, you’ll be surrounded by the colorful pink, orange, and red hues of the sandstone terrain from which saguaro and prickly pear cactus grow. Both are challenging, featuring rocky terrain, steep ascents, and some climbing. There are two trails to take to the 1,420-foot summit, the Cholla Trail and the slightly harder Echo Canyon Trail. This mountain earned its name from a pair of peaks that resemble the hump of a camel’s back, and its reputation as a tough but rewarding hike thanks to panoramic views of the Valley of the Sun.
