Hiking Camelback Mountain

We decided to hike Camelback Mountain on New Year's Day. We got there around 2 p.m.-ish. We were definitely not alone on the mountain. Brian was kind enough to get in line to park and let the rest of us start hiking. We went in two groups: Jon-Erik, Benjamin, Adam and then Emma and me. It was a perfect afternoon for some local hiking! 

Here we are, just starting out.

Do you notice the tiny people towards the bottom left of this photo? Just to give you some perspective. The entire hike is only about 1 1/4 mile up to the top and takes anywhere from 45-60 minutes if you are in average shape. The boys made it up in less time.

Don't let this scare you. There are handrails to help you climb.

You get rewarded along the way with the views and interesting things to look at, people to greet. ("Mom, stop talking to strangers!")

Does anyone else see a dog here? Or a nose, or something? 

This is a really ancient looking cactus about halfway up. It looks so hammered and yet there it stands, stoically marking the path. Since I'm taking a photoshop class this semester, I've decided to start collecting textures and this cactus has the most "tree-like" looking trunk texture. I think this is what a wrinkled cactus looks like.

We also ran into Jon-Erik and the boys around here on their way down.

(A little bright, but it was the only picture I had of them and poor Brian got nothing!)

Emma and I finally made it. Waiting for us up at the top were 24 people, 5 butterflies and another festively decorated tree (really a bush).

I know this is smog, but it made for a beautiful additiont to the sun skimming across this section of Phoenix in the late afternoon.

I should mention that Emma and I met Brian just as we were leaving the top. We waited for him to touch the top and then we hiked down together. I just love this hike! I'm up for it any time, just give me a call and 'Let's Go!' :-)