Camelback Mountain Preserve

Camelback Mountain, with granite rock and sandstone dating back millions of years, is an Arizona landmark that serves at the icon of the Arcadia area. Now more than a City Park, the additional protection that Mountain Preserve status provides will benefit current Phoenicians and future generations.

Camelback Mountain gets its name from the unique silhouette it casts on the Valley skyline. It is considered one of the nation's top hiking destinations and attracts visitors from around the world.  However, the two main trails that comprise the vast majority of hiking opportunities are rated Extremely Difficult; subjecting hikers to steep elevation gains, very uneven terrain, and a traverse that is unprotected from the elements. Only experienced hikers, whom are following "Take a Hike. Do it Right" guidelines, during optimal weather conditions, should attempt to hike to the summit that sits 2,704 feet above sea level and provides exceptional views of the valley.  [more information]

Cholla Trail

The Cholla Trailhead is accessed by hiking up a residential street [Cholla lane]. As popularity of this access point to the Camelback Mountain Preserve has grown significantly in the past few years, the problems for the neighbors living on this stre…

The Cholla Trailhead is accessed by hiking up a residential street [Cholla lane]. As popularity of this access point to the Camelback Mountain Preserve has grown significantly in the past few years, the problems for the neighbors living on this street have now become alarming.

“If the trail cannot be relocated immediately, then close the Cholla Trail until the relocation of the easement can occur. Hikers can still hike Camelback Mountain through Echo Canyon where there are restroom facilities, water, parking and Rangers to close the trail at night.”

While there is a ready solution to the problems, the Phoenician Resort is “stonewalling” progress on a new trailhead away from any residences. The ACMNA has resolved to help these neighbors by bearing on City officials to expedite the relocation of the trailhead to an existing easement on the north end of the Phoenician Resort. [read The ACMNA position letter here]

 More information regarding the location of the new trailhead can be found [here]

October 2021, Cholla Trail Renovation Update

​​The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to provide this update on the current status of the Cholla Trail project. We intend to begin construction this winter on a new trail route for the popular Cholla Trail that services the east side of Camelback Mountain. The new, improved route will provide a much better trail experience for hikers and neighbors. The alignment is now moved away from Cholla Lane and will include a small restroom as well as drinking water. Special attention was given to providing a Sonoran Desert plant palette that will be used to buffer the surrounding neighbors from the trail. Below you will find additional information and background as well as a rendering of the improvements. 

 Background Information

  • Since 1997, the City of Phoenix has utilized an easement on Phoenician land which provides hikers with access to the popular Cholla Trail on the east side of Camelback Mountain. From 1997 until March 2020, hikers were permitted to park only on Invergordon Road, then walk up Cholla Lane to access the trail. This condition created several undesirable hiking conditions. 

  • Due to the volume of hikers, which often reached over 10,000 per month, people frequently walked on the street rather than the trail alongside Cholla Lane. Hikers on the street created obvious safety concerns which led the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department (Parks) to begin planning a safer trail alignment. 

Trail Realignment

  • Recent efforts by Parks have focused on finding a solution that allows hikers to access Cholla Trail without walking up Cholla Lane. In the past several years, the redevelopment of the Phoenician golf course property has provided the opportunity to consider an alternative trail alignment. 

  • An alternative route has now been designed that reroutes the trail off of Invergordon, south of Cholla Lane, thereby avoiding Cholla Lane. 

  • The new alignment will also provide a more natural hiking experience, away from City streets. 

  • Special consideration will also be given to provide visual screening with plant material between the trail and adjacent residences.

  • Drinking water and restroom facilities will now be provided at the existing restroom building that had been part of the golf course.

 Cholla Trail Relocation - Illustrative Plan

​

Design and Construction Timeline

  • The construction drawings are complete and are being reviewed by the Planning and Development Department.  

  • Permits are expected by the end of November and construction is expected to take approximately 7 months. 

Trail Improvements Already Completed

  • Since the closure of Cholla Trail in 2020, Park Rangers, Park Stewards and a trail contractor have completed hundreds of hours of trail work to improve the upper reaches of the trail.  They have removed unstable boulders, greatly improved the trail tread and incorporated additional trail posts and wayfinding efforts which has resulted in a much safer trail. 

Letter of Intent with Host Properties

  • The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department has been working diligently with the property owner, Host Properties, to come to satisfactory terms to allow Parks to use a portion of the previous golf course land for the purposes laid out above. 

  • To the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department's understanding all terms with Host Properties are now mutually agreeable. 

  • The City has delivered a letter of intent to Host Properties for their signature, which is required prior to the start of the trail construction. To date, Host Properties has not signed the agreement.

Questions or Comments

  • If you have questions or would like to receive future information about this or other preserve projects, email us at pks.nrd.projects@phoenix.gov