Camelback Mountain- Hiking Safety Information

Echo Canyon, at Camelback Mountain- Best Places Phoenix-Arizona

Hiking Safety-Preparing for Camelback Mountain

Camelback Hiking Safety information for Echo Canyon in Phoenix, Arizona is provided by GIST Wireless as a public service. There are plenty of Camelback sites that cover fauna, animals and surrounding hotels, but as a regular hiker, I too often have seen rescues made for silly reasons made due to lack of preparation by "stupid tourists," unaware of the demanding terrain and  weather extremes that can be dangerous.

Temperatures can range from the 50's in December to 115 degrees plus in the summer. But it is easy to become dehydrated at any time of the year as temperatures can jump into the 80's and 90's, as late as November and as early as February or March. This is your first warning, bring water for every person and dog in your party!

Echo Canyon Trail

on the Northwest side of Camelback Mountain, just off McDonald and Tatum, is considered to be one of the most difficult, extreme parks located within an urban environment in the US. The trailhead elevation starts at 1400 feet and rises to 2750 over 1-1/6 miles. Trails vary from 1/8 mile of railroad tie steps rising several hundred feet, to rough rock faces with rails to assist the hiker at 60 degree inclines. Transition trails are typically loose gravel with small rocks imbedded with many places to stop along the way. There are two canyons along the trail with boulders ranging from 1' to 4', most firmly imbedded, but the loose rocks along the way can present challenges if you aren't careful.

Over the years, I have seen several rescues at Camelback and Squaw Peak Park. During these rescues, Phoenix Firefighters, Phoenix Public Safety and Parks and Recreation people have been super in their efforts. I have had a chance to talk to several rescuers, called in a few myself, and the same issues seem to be recurring reasons for rescues. The most common is lack of preparation and hikers unaware of the extremes Camelback demands on you physically.

Planning Your Hike Time

Many people go up the mountain totally unaware of how long it may take and what time the sun sets. Inexperienced hikers should allow at least three hours round trip, plus or minus your physical shape and party count. Experienced hikers make the trip in 30 to 45 minutes each way. During the winter, it is totally dark by 6PM and 8PM in the summer.

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Planning Your Hike Time

Many people go up the mountain totally unaware of how long it may take and what time the sun sets. Inexperienced hikers should allow at least three hours round trip, plus or minus your physical shape and party count. Experienced hikers make the trip in 30 to 45 minutes each way. During the winter, it is totally dark by 6PM and 8PM in the summer.

Visit the Arizona Republic Weather section for sunset times and subtract at least 3 hours to start your hike. Camelback should NOT BE HIKED in the DARK. Experienced hikers don't do it , and without a flashlight it is extremely dangerous as very little city light reaches into the canyons and trails. One recent rescue involved a 2nd time hiker who talked on his cell too long at the top and it got dark. By the time his friend went back and found him, he had made a wrong turn and was stuck in the loose gravel of the upper canyon on a closed trail.

Avoid FOX News

The most common rescues have been sprained ankles, extreme dehydration, total exhaustion and heart attacks by people and dogs, overweight and out of shape. "Camelback and Squaw Peak are not the places to start to get back into shape," a direct quote from a Phoenix Fire Fighter who also said most people rescued were just overweight and out of shape. Sprained ankles can be tremendously reduced by wearing hiking boots. They also offer better griping on boulders and offer more slip resistance on gravel trails. One of my favorite hiking stores is REI, located just a few miles away. They carry shoes, socks, canteens, hats, and high energy snacks. Over the years I have seen people in high heels, penny loafers, open toed sandals and people with bloody feet and legs when their shoes and sandals fell apart on the rocks or they slipped on the rocks. If all you have are tennis shoes, wear socks; small pebbles will tear up your feet.

In order to help you prepare for a safe hike, the following pictures of the Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain were taken during December 2002. We welcome your comments, pictures and observations for others to safely enjoy Camelback Mountain. Emergency helicopter rides are provided by the Phoenix PD, showing up on FOX news, featuring a costly and usually preventable rescue of another "Stupid Tourist." The most recent occurred at Squaw Peak during the Christmas holidays when a biker fell off the top, rolled around and had to be rescued. It took 3 fire trucks and the Phoenix PD Helicopter.