Over the Hump!!! (The camel hump!)

Today we ventured down south to Phoenix to hike and enjoy 70 degree weather. We hiked the Echo Canyon Trail up to the summit of Camel Back Mountain, the highest point in Phoenix proper. This is a bucket-list hike for many in Arizona.  It was a short 2.4 mile hike with 1,300 feet of elevation gain yo the summit over 1.2 miles. Lots of climbing! Lots of fun! (Notice that the trail is rated double diamond!  We are badass! - this trail was challenging, but tame compared to those we have done at Lost Dutchman State park and the Grand Canyon!) 

The views of Phoenix snd surrounding communities from the summit were great! 











Hiking down was just as challenging as hiking up! 

After our hike, we drove to Piestewa Park for a picnic lunch with the locals! 

Lots of Gambel’s Quail running around. They would not stand still for portraits!!! 

Lots of great desert scenery. We will have to come back to this park for future hiking opportunities!!

I forgot to add that we saw about 10 hot air balloons in the sky over the Phoenix area as we were driving in early morning. Way cool!