Climbing Near Scottsdale, Arizona

This is the Camel's Hump, the highest summit of Camelback Mountain. The two routes here are both on the NE face immediately below the summit. This is the relatively clean face of rock near the summit that is visible from the ground. Follow the swarms of people to the summit via Echo Canyon trail, which climbs about 1,200' in a mile of class 2-3. Plan about 45 min.

Perched pretty much square in the middle of the Phoenix metro area is this mountain that sort of looks like a camel. It is the closest climbing to Phoenix, located centrally in the City. The rock is mostly granite on the East side or Camel's hump and the Camel's head on the west side is a sedimentary rock, described as petrified mud. There is only one rule when climbing here, climb like a cat. Be agile, step lightly and wear a helmet.The routes in Camelback Mountain are fun and convenient but can be seriously dangerous given the wrong conditions. Rescue is available but try to self rescue if possible. The folks on the Fire Department are busy out here already. Be especially careful not to disturb or climb near bees; they are all Africanized.The City of Phoenix Camelback Mountain Preserve is open to climbing in designated areas. New routes are no longer allowed as of this year, 2020. Existing routes will remain and be maintained by the Phoenix climbing community. Please obey the Preserve rules and we will enjoy this gem for generations to come.Please consider contacting the first ascension party if you wish to suggest changes to the routes, bolts or anchors. Camelback Mountain is located at approximately 44th Street and McDonald Streets in Phoenix. The Echo Canyon parking lot is accessed off McDonald Street, just east of Tatum (N Echo Canyon Parkway). Parking is very limited in the neighborhoods around Echo Canyon too. 

The Praying Monk has probably been climbed by more Phoenix beginners than any other formation in central Arizona, although the advent of gyms and sport climbing has lessened this absolute somewhat over the last ten years. The East Face route, first climbed in 1951 by Phoenix pioneer climber and ex-mayor, Gary Driggs, is the usual route of ascent. If you wonder how the Monk got it's name, climb it late some sunny afternoon, and look down to the east to see the "praying monks" shadow. This squat tower of petrified mud perches quite obviously on a northern shoulder of Camelback Mountain to the east of the Echo Canyon parking lot. Take the standard hiking trail up to the Headwall, then you'll have to ascend one of the Headwall routes to get up onto the plateau where the Monk resides.