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City hike

Camelback

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Camelback

What draws so many to this mountain? Maybe it's because it is a Phoenix landmark and bucket list item for a city hike. Perhaps it's the challenge of making it to the top along with the 360° views. 

It's all of the above. Around 450,000 hike the Cholla or Echo Canyon trail every year. 

You'll find the trails in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area between the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix and the town of Paradise Valley. Although the fight to preserve this area started as early as 1910, it wasn't until 1965 when Barry Goldwater took up the cause and helped stop further development in the mountain's higher elevation. It became a Phoenix city park in 1968.

A walk up Cholla Lane leads to the trailhead.

A walk up Cholla Lane leads to the trailhead.

This past Monday, Dave and I decided to challenge ourselves and hike up the Cholla Trail. The last time we made the trek was back in 2016 to see the controversial Christmas tree—a tradition started seven years ago by a fellow named John Cressey. Many complained that it violates the "leave no trace" policy of the park service, while others have accused the city of being a Grinch. The tradition continues to find a way to survive within strict boundaries. 

Thanks to an early start and a weekday morning, we were able to park relatively close by. For the Cholla trail, parking is located only in designated areas along Invergordon. Be prepared to walk up to a mile to reach the trailhead.

Parking along Invergordon.

Parking along Invergordon.

The temperature was a perfect 45°, and miraculously, it did not become crowded until our descent. But it was steep—about a mile and a half and 1,500 feet of elevation to the top. 

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Hiking towards the helicopter pad.

Hiking towards the helicopter pad.

We were treated to spectacular city views, thanks to a cold front that had pushed through the day before. 

Papago Buttes in the distance.

Papago Buttes in the distance.

A downtown viewpoint.

A downtown viewpoint.

My favorite part of the hike was the portion just beyond the helicopter rescue pad. It consisted of scaling boulders by following a trail of blue reflective markers — kind of like solving a puzzle, only scarier. Our adrenaline was riding way too high to even think about fatigue. 

It is a long way down from here.

It is a long way down from here.

Once at the top, we joined hikers from the Echo Canyon side, to visit and gaze at the valley below. We also saw a pro athlete doing a motivational video blog that was quite inspiring. 

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But where was the tree? A half-eaten ornament was all we saw. Leave no trace.

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Fear not my friends. Kris Kringle and his tree will be at the summit from Dec. 21-25, for photos and holiday cheer. This year the tree is dedicated to veterans who have PTSD. If you decide to go, feel free to bring a birdseed ornament to hang for someone you love.

Happy Holidays from AZtoAB!


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A Happy Tail

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A Happy Tail

Puccini and Dota, exploring, last summer in Canmore, AB

Puccini and Dota, exploring, last summer in Canmore, AB

When Puccini passed away last December at the ripe old age of 16, Dota became our one and only pet. She’s a spunky gal, known for hunting squirrels up in Canmore, as well as chasing lizards down here in Phoenix. And, she LOVES to ride in the Jeep—wait, make that any motor vehicle. Happily, Dota’s sense of adventure and love of trails are back to full strength, thanks to numerous hikes of late.

Last weekend, we took her to one of our favorite spots off of Tatum Boulevard. The lot has only a few spaces and is usually full, but one can usually find parking on one of the side streets nearby. The trail is popular with mountain bikers as well as hikers, and is a great starting point to link to other trails within Phoenix Mountain Preserve.

Not far from the trailhead

Not far from the trailhead

It was one of those rare cloudy overcast days. Nice. Not too hot, no glaring sun. The beginning of the trail resembled a desert botanical garden, full of Paloverde and all kinds of cactus. It felt like we were walking though a neighbor’s backyard desert landscape - which, by the way, we kind of were. A short section of the trail passes through a wash between residences.

Headed towards the ridge.

Headed towards the ridge.

Once we got to the top of the initial ridge - Dave and Dota and I took a detour, on a lightly travelled trail that went up a small mountain off to the south. We wove our way to the top, stopping to look at emerging wildflowers, trails and the city below.

Purple wildflowers covering the mountainside.

Purple wildflowers covering the mountainside.

Just the beginning…..

Just the beginning…..

View of Phoenix Mountain Preserve.

View of Phoenix Mountain Preserve.

Little Dota, mountain dog.

Little Dota, mountain dog.

By the time we reached the Jeep, we could tell Dota was satisfied. Not a peep out of her on the short ride home. A long nap ensued. For a little dog of nine years, it’s nice for her to know that not every ride in the car means VETERINARIAN.


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