"I've hiked sections of this before, but never to the summit. This was the time, on a warm but not too brutal day. I had remembered this as an easier hike so when we saw the "extremely difficult" sign I kind of dismissed it. It did get tough at the end! My friend Marcia decided to stop when, as she says, we got to a sheer rock wall (it wasn't quite that bad) but I really wanted to finish so she said to go ahead and she'd wait. I had such a good time taking on the last part to summit. I put some of my rock climbing skills from the gym. I wished I had my trail shoes on, because regular running shoes were not great under these conditions. But I made it and it felt great. I hustled down the best I could because Marcia was waiting and it was getting late in the day. She screamed "I thought you were dead!" when I finally got back to her :) She was like a mountain goat on the way down and we got back in plenty of time before the sun started to set. I loved this hike - I don't know if I would have been brave enough to do it especially on my own, before and I'm so glad I did." — kvander • Mar 6, 2020

"Finished Cholla Peak on Jan 1, it was very busy with so many large family groups. I think a lot of people were also dehydrated from drinking on New Years Eve and then trying to hike the next day. There were helicopter pick ups all day long. This trail is gorgeous but you're not going to be alone." — nikkirogers • Jan 1, 2020

"My first time up this Phoenix classic. Set off a couple minutes before sunrise (6am). A bit chilly but after running for 2 min was already warmed up. After first section of the climb didn't get why the trail is described as rough. Quickly discovered what they meant and gave up on running it. Spent 5 min on top taking some shots of the horizon. Piestewa Peak looked interesting from up here; hope to hit it tomorrow. Car to car in 59 min." — scott • Apr 10, 2019

"Climbed while in Scottsdale for a conference. Was just recovering from hurting my back falling on the ice in my driveway a couple of weeks before (no running for 10 days), and the Arizona sun was very restorative. I did this hike many years ago too but I didn't remember much about it other than I bought brand new "hiking" boots (not good ones) right before. I didn't hike all the way to summit (made it to the bottom of the head part) because of time constraints, but I'm not sure I could have or should have anyway." — kvander • Feb 28, 2019

"3 Brothers reached the summit with "The Little One" reaching first. Summit race ended in reverse chronological order. Are you trying to start an argument? It's a GREAT day." — michaelpietrowski • Aug 25, 2014

"4th summit I've climbed. A fun, rocky scramble up the infamous summit in Phoenix. Overall rating 7/10, worth a visit in non crowded conditions, and would highly recommend if in the area" — MountainQuest • Apr 4, 2014

"Thanksgiving morning we went for a walk to build up the appetite. Apparently we weren't the only hikers with this idea, as the mountain was packed! At least 60 people at the summit, we didn't hang around too long." — jeffhubatka • Nov 24, 2011

"Took the slightly longer Cholla Trail since I got shut out of the parking lot at Echo Canyon. Seems odd that people will sit with their car idling for 20 minutes so they can get out and go do something healthy." — jeffhubatka • Oct 29, 2010

"I’ve hiked up Camelback a few times over the years. I think the first was the time I was in Scottsdale for Kendra Tasker’s 40th birthday. Another time was when Brian and I were in Scottsdale for his employee’s wedding. I will find my peak journal and update the specific years and add photos. " — 40in40 • Dec 10, 2005

"Hiked this mountain with the woman that would later become my wife on her birthday while i still lived in flagstaff. After moving to phoenix this mountain became my workout mountain for the next two years. Hiked it over 100 times. Durring the cooler months i would hike up Echo canyon, down the Cholla trail then back up then back down Echo Canyon. " — MtnGeek • Jan 13, 2002