Running the Camel's Back

I never spent any time at Camelback Mountain when I actually lived in the Phoenix area. It is only when I became a tourist that this mountain came into view, so to speak, and last year I managed to run or hike on several occasions partial climbs up the mountain.

For 2020 my goal was to enter at Echo Canyon and exit at Cholla Trailhead having run up, across and down the entire thing. But with just two hours left of daylight, I’d have to catch a break.

I did. It came in the form of the Wheels scooter app. Once downloaded and personal info added, I was able to scoot my way at 20mph to Echo Canyon Trail. I had to find an appropriate place to park it since the parking lot was off limits (geofenced), but once settled it was a challenging run up. But I loved every one of the 26 minutes it took to reach the peak, then the 14 it took to make it to the Cholla Trailhead!

Once back down the other side, I half hoped I would find another scooter but it was not meant to be. With enough pep still left, I jogged on incredibly flat surface for a further 20 minutes back to the retreat center.

I paid for it the next few days with sore ankles and tendons, and it wasn’t until Wednesday that I felt ready for another outdoor adventure, though a much less crazy one.