text: A lot of people call this an easy hike though I find it to be rigorous I am reasonably in shape and regularly exercise but really unless you HIKECLIMB regularly you will find this to be challenging nnMy first attempt at Camelback was last August We did the Cholla Trail side Yeah I am a dummy But we started just before sunrise and had plenty of water But I was not mentally prepared I had heard it was easy for it and it was just too hot About onethird of the way I tapped out since I was getting dizzy and lightheaded and refused to push it and end up being that hiker who comes out of Camelback via helicopter because I passed out and fell off I have since been back three more times never in that kind of heat again I do NOT recommend it and summited each time always Cholla considered the easier trailnnThe terrain is easy at the start for the novice hiker with rock or wood block steps and a welltraveled roomy dirt trail But once you hit about onethird mark it narrows and you start using all fours like a monkey to scramble over the big rocks By the time you get to the final third you are straight up rock climbing I have trouble following the spray painted dots to stay on track If there are not people around to follow I inevitably end up at a dead end and have to go back and try again nnI have no fear of heights but there are times that you are negotiating around and over rocks with a dropoff waiting for you if you misstep Kind of freaks me out each time The summit area is large and offers fantastic views Bring a sandwich in your bag your ipod or a book and hang out a while it is quite nice nnIve seen small children as young as six and I have seen small dogs including a puppy Chihuahua who literally rolled down most of the big rocks poor dog but I would not want to be responsible for either and up is more appropriate and mediumsized dogs used to climbingtrails Thanksgiving weekend I saw a lot of elderly family members kids and others obviously from out of town and not at all prepared for a hike flip flops no water Do not drag your poor parents visiting from Michigan up Camelback please Unless they are used to somewhat rigorous hikes you are going to end up with a hospital visit on your hands at worst angry tired dirty dehydrated and sore family members at best nnHikers range from serious you will see them running up and down the mountain to novice to everywhere in between Everyone is friendly and says hi as they pass by And everyone offered water or asked if I was ok as I hung out in the shade to cool down when I attempted to climb in August As long as you come prepared water water water and know what you are in for you will have a good time