Not withstanding, many desert plants and creatures eke out a living here and provide opportunities to observe ecology and behavior. There are two entry points to this recreation area. The parking at the Echo Canyon trail head is limited - so much so that if the weather is nice the lot will always be full. The drive into Echo Canyon is just west of 44th Street and Tatum. The City of Phoenix has responded to the demand by adding a larger parking lot at Cholla Ln.
Many hikers are very fit and use the trail for fitness training.
The geology of Camelback is entirely different than nearby Squaw Peak, being composed almost entirely of sedimentary rock. An aggregate of stones and smaller gravel is cemented together with an appealing rust colored silt stone. The rock is pretty soft having allowed for the formation of wind caves and grottos. Moisture is readily absorbed by this material and released slowly allowing for a surprisingly diverse flora. The near record rains of October and the intervening mild weather have brought out an array of wildflowers.