Cholla Trail Camelback: The North Side Route to the Summit

The reason most people choose Echo Canyon over Cholla Trail has nothing to do with the hike itself. It’s the parking lot. Echo Canyon has one. Cholla Lane doesn’t.

That single fact shapes everything. On a cold January Saturday, Echo Canyon’s lot fills before 6am. Cholla Lane’s 10 to 15 street spots go even faster. If you show up at 7am expecting to start your hike, you may spend 20 minutes circling a residential neighborhood first.

But if you get there early enough, Cholla Trail rewards you. Fewer people. A quieter approach through open desert. And a slightly different perspective on a mountain that most Phoenix hikers think they already know.

Trail Overview

Cholla Trail starts on the north side of Camelback Mountain, at the end of Cholla Lane in Paradise Valley. The trailhead sits at about 1,480 feet elevation. The summit is at 2,704 feet. You gain those 1,420 feet across 1.5 miles, which means an average grade of roughly 18 percent, but the trail is uneven rather than consistently steep.

The first 0.7 miles is a desert walk through open Sonoran terrain. Saguaros line the slope. Cholla cacti crowd the trail edges, and this is not a casual observation. The trail is named for a reason. Wear long pants or gaiters on this section. Cholla segments detach easily and lodge in skin and shoelaces. Watch where you step.

At mile 0.7, the packed dirt transitions to rock. The trail steepens and the footing changes. From here to the summit, you’re on granite and volcanic rock, some of it loose, most of it exposed. Use your hands when the terrain requires it. Don’t try to stay upright with trekking poles when the route calls for scrambling.

The final push to the summit merges with the Echo Canyon route. Both trails share the upper section. On a busy day, you’ll see traffic coming up from both directions. The summit itself is a wide rocky plateau with two interpretive signs and unobstructed views in every direction.

The round trip is 3 miles. Plan for 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on your pace and how long you stay at the top.

Getting There

The trailhead address is 5801 E Cholla Lane, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253. From central Phoenix, take Camelback Road east to 64th Street, turn north, then right on Invergordon Road, then left on Cholla Lane. The street dead-ends at the trailhead.

Park legally on Cholla Lane. There are roughly 10 to 15 legal street spots. On winter weekdays, you’ll have no trouble finding one if you arrive by 7am. On winter weekends, you need to be there by 5:30 to 6am to guarantee a spot near the trailhead.

A few things to know about parking here. The surrounding streets are residential. Do not block driveways. Do not park in front of mail boxes. Phoenix Police ticket this neighborhood actively on weekend mornings, and the residents have made the parking situation a recurring issue with the city. Respect the neighborhood. Park legally or find the hike elsewhere.

There’s no entry fee and no permit required for the trail itself.

Trail Description

The trailhead is obvious. A brown sign marks it at the end of Cholla Lane. The trail begins wide and well-packed, heading south-southeast toward the mountain.

The first quarter mile is flat and easy, warm-up territory. You’re walking through classic lower Sonoran desert. Saguaros at this elevation tend to be mid-sized rather than the giants you’d see further south. The cholla cacti here are teddy bear cholla and jumping cholla, both notorious for their barbed spines. “Jumping cholla” is a slight misnomer, they don’t jump. But their spines catch on anything that brushes them and pull the segment free. Walk the center of the trail.

From the quarter-mile point, the trail starts gaining elevation more consistently. You pass a few concrete water catchment structures on the left, built to capture runoff for desert wildlife. Good place to pause and look north toward Scottsdale and the McDowell Mountains. On a clear winter morning, Four Peaks is visible to the northeast.

The 0.7-mile rock transition is a clear landmark. The trail goes from dirt to granite. There’s usually a cluster of hikers here catching their breath or pulling on gloves. The next 0.8 miles is the technical section.

The middle portion of the rocky upper trail has several established rest spots cut into ledges on the right side of the route. They’re obvious, flat, and well-used. Stop and look north. This view, looking out over Paradise Valley toward the McDowells, is arguably better than the summit view for Scottsdale. The valley spread below and the mountain range behind it make a clean landscape shot in morning light.

The true summit scramble starts when you see the metal cable handholds bolted into the rock. Use them. They’re there because the footing here demands it, not as decoration. The cable sections are short but steep. Grip them, step deliberately, and don’t look down if heights bother you.

At the summit, turn north. You’re looking at the Phoenix metro from a mountain that sits inside it. Scottsdale in the foreground, Mesa and Tempe beyond, the McDowell Mountains behind everything. On a dry winter morning with low humidity, you can see well past the McDowells.

The descent on Cholla Trail requires full attention. Loose rock on the upper section moves underfoot going down. Many ankle injuries on Camelback happen on the descent from tired legs and rushed footing. Take your time.

What to Bring

Water is the first priority. Bring at least 2 liters for a morning hike in cool weather. 3 liters if temperatures are above 70°F. There’s no water source on the trail. None.

Footwear matters here. Trail runners or hiking boots with grip work well on the lower trail. For the upper rock section, you want a shoe with a sticky rubber sole. Smooth-soled sneakers are a bad idea on the upper granite.

Gloves are worth bringing for the scrambling section, especially in winter when the rock is cold. Trekking poles help on the lower trail but get in the way during the hand-over-hand sections. Retract them when the scrambling starts.

Sun protection is non-negotiable. The trail faces south above mile 0.7 and offers almost no shade. A sun hoodie and a hat outperform sunscreen alone because they cover skin without requiring reapplication.

A basic first aid kit including blister supplies is worth the few ounces. The cholla spines are the other wildcard. Bring a comb or two stiff sticks to remove segments without touching them directly.

Safety Notes

Camelback Mountain has a serious rescue history. The City of Phoenix fire department responds to multiple technical rescues here per year. Most involve hikers who underestimated the upper section or overestimated their fitness.

The heat is the main risk from May through September. Phoenix has initiated a heat emergency protocol that can restrict Camelback access on extreme heat days. Check Phoenix Parks and Recreation before a summer visit. The mountain closes to new hikers after a certain temperature threshold is reached.

In cool months, the main risks are falls and twisted ankles on the rocky upper section. Start early even in October, the sun hits the south-facing upper trail hard by 9am and it heats up quickly.

Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Cell service is generally good on Camelback since you’re on a mountain inside a metro area, but a twisted ankle in the upper section is a real emergency even with a working phone.

Related Trails

If you want the most efficient route to the Camelback summit, Echo Canyon Trail on the south side covers 1.2 miles one-way with 1,280 feet of gain. It’s shorter and steeper in spots. On a weekday, Echo Canyon’s parking lot is easier to use.

For a less crowded Phoenix scramble with a quieter approach, Tom’s Thumb in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is worth your time. It involves a longer hike to reach the technical section but the trail is better signed and has more room to spread out.

The Cholla Trail experience is specific: a residential neighborhood trailhead, a quiet desert approach, a serious summit scramble, and a panoramic payoff. If you can get there early, it’s the better Camelback experience on a winter weekend.