Camelback Mountain: Echo Canyon VS Cholla Trailhead

Camelback Mountain is arguably the most popular mountain in Phoenix.  Given its close proximity to downtown, it is a popular hiking destination among locals and visitors.  The first time I hiked Camelback, I remember thinking, “Its not that big of a mountain.  It looks like an easy hike to do”.

Well… I was wrong.

Camelback Mountain may not look that big, but the trails are very steep and tiring.  Use this as your guide to help determine whether you should do the Echo Canyon trail or the Cholla trail.

• Parking

• • Echo Canyon
    • The parking lot at Echo Canyon is much nicer than the parking situation at Cholla Trailhead.  It features plenty of parking spots, water fountains, and bathrooms.  However, the parking lot is rather small for the amount of guests who want to hike.  You may find that this parking lot fills up extremely fast during peak months (February-April).

• • Cholla
    • There is no parking lot at Cholla Trailhead.  Instead the trail starts off of N Invergorden Rd, which is also where you will need to find a parking spot.  The biggest downside to parking here is that you may need to park a 1/4 mile down the road or more, especially during the peak months.
  • Winner
    • Echo Canyon has the best parking situation.  Since I have no preference on what trail to do, I always start with the Echo Canyon trail head, and if it is full I then drive to the Cholla trail.

• Difficulty

I hear a lot of dispute over which trail is more difficult, so let me put in my two cents.

Note: Both trails are rated extremely difficult

• • Echo Canyon
    • Echo Canyon trail is difficult the ENTIRE way.  You start off with a few switchbacks; think, this isn’t so bad.  Then you turn the corner, and see a rock face that requires you to scramble for roughly 100 yards.  The rest of the hike is rocks and boulders knee to hip height, which always fatigues my legs.
  • Cholla
    • Cholla is a moderate hike for about 75% of it– smooth gravel and rocks with no steps higher than your shin.  But the last 25% is all scramble and no clear indication of the trail (even with the markers).
  • Winner
    • Echo Canyon wins overall diffculty, but do NOT underestimate how technical Cholla trail is near the top.
    • I have seen more people turn around on Cholla (near the top) than I have on Echo Canyon.
• View
  • Echo Canyon
    • There are beautiful views to the north for most of the trail.  As you near the top, there are some views to the south.  If you stop for a break during the hike, you will also see some stunning rock formations along the trail.
  • Cholla
    • Cholla trail has some amazing views to the North, East, and South for almost the entire trail.  There is also a beautiful lookout spot 3/4 of the way up which also happens to be right before the trail becomes incredibly difficult.

• • Winner
    • Even though the trails meet at the top and share the same, beautiful 360° view, Cholla trail offers better views throughout the trail.

Overall

Overall Echo Canyon is more difficult and will destroy your legs, but Cholla is fun if you enjoy a more technical hike.

If you are hiking with someone who isn’t confident, or isn’t in good shape, I strongly recommend the Cholla trail.  It has a great view point 3/4 of the way up right before you have to scramble, but understand that they will likely not make it to the top.