Boulder Challenges on the Back of the Camel

Starting at 9am, the temperature for hiking the trail was perfect and it was just getting a bit hot as we finished. The trail was in excellent condition, but since it was Sunday morning, it was quite crowded. Everyone on the trail was very friendly and respectful, even when people needed to slow down for more challenging sections. Coming from the Willamette Valley in Oregon, all of the scrambling up and over rocks was a bit of a surprise, but none of the scrambles were overly challenging or felt unsafe. You just need to take your time, watch for small amounts of loose sand, and enjoy the challenges that getting over and around the boulders provide. Often you can spot a bit easier line to get through a section, and other hikers will give you friendly tips for getting through the more difficult sections. The hike was very enjoyable and beautiful, and for someone new to the area, it was a fantastic way to see the entire metro area and get a sense of how Phoenix has developed as a city and metro area.