Hike Up Camelback Mountain

on January 20, 2011
in All Posts, Arizona Trip for GOTR Summit

There was one last thing I wanted to do in Scottsdale – hike up the famous Camelback Mountain, which rises up from the middle of the city.

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I set my alarm and woke up early, grabbing a banana and Clif bar on my way out.  The Husband opted to sleep in, so I got to enjoy some meditative alone time.  🙂

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I had heard rumors that the hike was “strenuous and difficult” but I didn’t really believe it until a Girls on the Run conference attendee dislocated her shoulder on Tuesday by falling off a ledge! Yikes.

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Therefore, to be extra safe, I brought my cell phone.  There were lots of other hikers on the trail, so I felt pretty comfortable.   I saw lots of people in Vibrams and running with their big dogs!

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WOAH – this hike was killer hard.  It took 45 minutes for me to hike 1.2 miles to the top of the mountain.  Most of the climb, I was using my upper body to help pull myself up and over rocks.  I took my heart rate at one point and it was 190 BPM!  Can you believe it?  It was just as hard as going for a run, if not harder.

 

The summit was beautiful – I could see all over Phoenix! 

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It took 30 minutes to get back down, and honestly – it was almost harder than going up!  I had to pay lots of attention to make sure I didn’t slip on gravel and fall.  I used lots of stabilization muscles!

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All in all – so glad I woke up early to climb Camelback!  It was outrageously pretty and I’ve never experienced anything like it.

 

Got back to the hotel room and dashed into the shower.  Then we packed up, drove to the airport, returned the car, and went through security.

 

I was starving by the time we reached out gate.  My only dining option was a burrito!

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I had a bean, cheese, and veggie burrito with a side of sour cream (my favorite).  Unfortunately, the burrito wasn’t as filling as I would’ve liked after such a hard workout, but we had to board!

 

I’m up in the air (wahoo for in-flight Internet!) and tackling some work projects.  I’m sad to go home but excited to see Maggie and James tomorrow when my mom returns them.  We Skyped earlier and they said they miss me, too.  🙂

 

Are you a hiker?

{ 128 comments }

 

  • jen @ taste life January 20, 2011, 3:09 pm

    I am much more a hiker than a runner, that’s for sure! I love to hike, and living in the mountains of NC, everything is up, up, up! I love gorgeous views, and the one you had today was great!

    And YAY for in-flight internet!!

  • Ashley (The Vegetable Life) January 20, 2011, 3:09 pm

    I love to hike, but I have trouble finding people to go with me. I planed like 3 hikes this past winter with my hubby but he bailed all the time…..

    The view is gorgeous for Arizona!

  • Allison @ Happy Tales January 20, 2011, 3:15 pm

    That hike looks like SO MUCH FUN! Have you ever hiked Crowders Mtn (or maybe it’s Kings mtn? I’ll look it up…) here in Charlotte?! It’s over near/in Gastonia… and it’s quite the trek! Very fun and the top is a gorgeous view!!! I highly recommend it if you haven’t done it. Takes a bit of time, too!

    PS… LOVE your nailpolish color!

    • Caitlin January 20, 2011, 3:41 pm

      No I havent – we need to do it together!

      • Whitney January 20, 2011, 3:46 pm

        I live ten minutes from Crowder’s Mountain and have hiked it plenty of times! You must do being as you are so close 🙂

      • Allison @ Happy Tales January 20, 2011, 6:32 pm

        yesssss!! Once the weather is consistently better we’ll go for sure! Gah, the weather in Charlotte these past few days has given me spring fever. Too bad it’s supposed to ice on Monday.

  • Leanne (For Health's Sake) January 20, 2011, 3:16 pm

    I love to hike! In the summertime, my family & I go to a spot about 45 minutes away from home and it’s beautiful! There’s even people riding horses on the trails!

  • Lauren January 20, 2011, 3:16 pm

    I love hiking!!! Unfortunately I moved to one of the flatest parts of the country so I don’t get to do much hiking unless I travel to it 🙁

  • Stacy @ Every Little Thing January 20, 2011, 3:19 pm

    We did some hiking when I lived in New Mexico and it was so beautiful. I have the best photos, but it’s impossible to take a bad picture when everything is that gorgeous!

  • Annette January 20, 2011, 3:20 pm

    I LOVE hiking and that looks beautiful, fun, and seriously hard! Glad you could do that 🙂

  • Michelle January 20, 2011, 3:20 pm

    Camelback Mountain is one of the best parts about Phoenix. I used to climb it a few times a week when I lived in Tempe. Seeing all of your pictures from Arizona has brought back so many memories of my early college years!! And yeah, airplane internet = awesome.

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine January 20, 2011, 3:20 pm

    My parents go to AZ solely to hike and say it’s beautiful. I can see why!! Glad you got one last hike in before your flight!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) January 20, 2011, 3:20 pm

    Great job on the hike! I am sure it felt great to do it! Have a safe trip home Caitlin!

  • Ameena January 20, 2011, 3:22 pm

    I’ve hiked through the hills of Los Angeles but they are nowhere near as challenging as what Camelback has to offer. I do love it though!

    Safe travels back home!

  • Jeni @ stepping out January 20, 2011, 3:24 pm

    I don’t get to hike often but I love it! Over Thanksgiving I went camping with my cousins in the foothills of the Appalatian mountains (Table Rock state park). We hiked to the top and boy was that strenuous and difficult. It was just over 3.25 miles each way. Then I ran an 8k the next day. Wow…I was definitely walking like an old lady for the next couple days. 😀
    I would love to climb Camelback! Have a safe trip!

  • Kara January 20, 2011, 3:24 pm

    I love hiking! I’ve done a bunch of mountains because I love that feeling you get when you get to the top!

    In fact, I love hiking so much it’s inspired me to branch out to trail running…because what would be more fun than hiking up a mountain? Running up a mountain! 🙂

  • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations January 20, 2011, 3:24 pm

    Oh wow!! Your hike sounds incredible! I’ve learned that those descriptions (easy, moderate, strenuous) generally are accurate. The view from the top is great. And glad you got some meditative alone time… that is so important.

  • Tonyne @ Unlikely Success Story January 20, 2011, 3:25 pm

    I would *love* to be a hiker but I live on the coast, we don’t even have hills really. 🙂 Looks like your hike was absolutely beautiful!

  • Mo January 20, 2011, 3:25 pm

    Wow, that’s an impressive time for getting to the top on your first Camelback hike! I have friends that hike Camelback a couple times per week and barely get up in 45 minutes. I agree, coming down is almost harder…I’ve sprained my ankle there, coming down.

  • Kiran January 20, 2011, 3:25 pm

    What a view!!! Splendid 😀 I want to hike now! It’s been a long time since we last hiked. Have a safe and enjoying flight, though the flight attendant refuse to stop talking (saw your tweet!)!

  • Liz January 20, 2011, 3:27 pm

    I was in Phoenix for work last year and my hotel was ~3 miles from Camelback. I made sure I took my run RIGHT by the mountain! I wanted to go up it badly, but due to work my runs were at 6am, so I opted for safety. Glad you shared your experience though, makes me want to go back!

  • Hannah January 20, 2011, 3:28 pm

    Once my injury is healed I hope to join my outdoor club at school and hike! That mountain view is so amazing. The thing about hiking is that it feels more spiritual and connected with nature than other sports.

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) January 20, 2011, 3:29 pm

    I love to hike! It’s deceptively hard.

  • JenRD January 20, 2011, 3:30 pm

    Wow, that does look like a hard hike! I LOVE hiking! Lately, whenever we travel, my husband and I seek out hiking routes and plan our trips around them. Actually, not too far from Charlotte, the Asheville area has some beautiful hikes. We have also been hiking in the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps, which are breathtaking. It is amazing that the hus and I were huffing and puffing (and praying not to fall) on those hikes, yet we saw tons of Europeans with their dogs, walking sticks, and even babies slung in front of them. It is just second nature to them!

  • skinnyrunner January 20, 2011, 3:30 pm

    i did that hike a couple years ago, it was tough, theres some really steep parts!

  • Ella January 20, 2011, 3:30 pm

    Mmmmm burritos. My favorite.
    My college is at the base of a mountain and my hometown is pretty much smack dab in the middle of the woods so I’ve always been a big hiker. Great workout and a good way to connect with nature!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey January 20, 2011, 3:31 pm

    That looks like a great hike. I’ve never climbed a mountain before – I deifnitely would like to!

  • Lisa January 20, 2011, 3:31 pm

    That looks like a GREAT hike! I love hiking by myself. Time for contemplation and enjoying nature. It’s quiet time.

  • Laura @ Starting Out Fit January 20, 2011, 3:33 pm

    I used to hike a lot when I was younger, but not so much in my adult years. That view is UNREAL! Views like that totally make it the tough hike worth it!

  • Hope January 20, 2011, 3:34 pm

    That hike looks beautiful! I’ve never done a hike before but I’ve always wanted! Definitely on my list of things to do. That burrito looks so good! They are my favorite. I like sour cream too 🙂

  • Kelly January 20, 2011, 3:35 pm

    Hiking is intense! That’s beautiful though!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat January 20, 2011, 3:36 pm

    Looks like a beautiful hike Caitlin! I love hiking, but don’t get a chance to do enough of it. I’m really hoping to do more this coming spring/summer. Lovely photos!

  • Kristina @ Life as Kristina January 20, 2011, 3:38 pm

    I would love that hike! A burrito as the only option-not a bad option! haha…too bad it wasn’t that filling! It’ll be nice to come home to the pups-i’m sure they’re excited!!!!

  • Maria @ Oh Healthy Day January 20, 2011, 3:44 pm

    Hiking is my favorite form of exercise! You must have been booking it to get a HR like that!

    I alway too feel that they downhill is worse than uphill. At some points, I’ve had to sit down and slid down “trails” that were just too steep to walk. Always a bit scary, but definitely worth the work!

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) January 20, 2011, 3:51 pm

    Hiking is my favorite form of exercise — I can’t wait until it’s warm enough to get back outside. It’s a workout that doesn’t feel like a workout — until the next day when your legs are killing you — and a great way to socialize without spending money.

  • Kelly January 20, 2011, 3:52 pm

    Brad and I hiked a lot when we first started dating. We mostly went through the Smokies in Tennessee and also did Grandfather Mountain and the Pisgah Forest. I really want to get back out there this spring! The NC/TN mountains are beautiful!

    • Cindi January 20, 2011, 3:58 pm

      My husband did Mount Mitchell last summer – I really wanted to do it this year – as his pictures and the views were beautiful! We should go – I bet it’ll be beautiful this autumn when the leaves are changing!

  • Haley January 20, 2011, 3:52 pm

    I LOVE hiking! There’s so much to be seen, plus I feel like nature always has something to teach me 🙂

    Gorgeous hike!

  • Lily's Health Pad January 20, 2011, 3:53 pm

    Yes, I love hiking. Hiking up mountains is a killer workout too! There’s a 7 mile out and back course I LOVE in my parents’ hometown.

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday January 20, 2011, 3:53 pm

    I’m a big time hiker. I went hiking in the White Mountains in NH this summer. (and blogged about it: http://gamereviewwiki.com/bikinibirthday/2010/07/07/new-hampshire-hikes-and-eats/ )

    I’ve also hiked in BC, Italy, and Switzerland.

  • Ann @ Day by Day January 20, 2011, 3:54 pm

    I’ve only had a few chances to go hiking but I wish I could do it more often! Your hike sounded really cool (and a little scary). On the hike you took I’d probably be terrified until it was over and then I’d want to do it again!

  • Cindi January 20, 2011, 3:54 pm

    YES! And I miss it badly! The only place to hike close to Charlotte is Crowder’s Mountain – wanna go there soon???

    • Caitlin January 20, 2011, 3:58 pm

      yes!!!

  • Baking 'n' Books January 20, 2011, 3:58 pm

    I would LOVE to be a hiker…God – if only!

    That is so amazing – so glad you got to do that! Psshw – hubby missed out 🙂

    I’m amazed there were people running in Vibrams – their feet! Eeeps.

  • Kate @ Walking in the RAin January 20, 2011, 3:59 pm

    I do in the Summer (when it isn’t pouring rain). My husband loves it, but I can take it or leave it.

    You should come to Alaska to go hiking, we have some steep hikes with views that would blow you away!

  • Sam January 20, 2011, 3:59 pm

    camelback is my FAVORITE place hike! i try to hike it once a week. i love getting to the top and being able to see the whole valley. so beautiful. plus it is such a good workout!

  • The Chick January 20, 2011, 4:01 pm

    Somehow I only end up hiking when I am in AZ even though there are a ton of goregous trails in WA.

    I hiked Pinnacle Peak (also in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area) with my mom and grandmother the day after Christmas this year. It was a lot of fun! Pics in my blog

  • Jen January 20, 2011, 4:03 pm

    Congrats for making it up Camelback! It is a super-hard hike. I couldn’t make it to the top because I got too many bugs in my eyes. Jeff hated me that day. True story.

  • Kari @ Human, MD January 20, 2011, 4:03 pm

    I love hiking! I’ve never been to Scottsdale, but I have hiked in Tucson quite a bit! It’s definitely a totally different kind of work out! Much more technical and you’ve gotta pay attention! I love doing long hikes with destinations (like the top of a mountain)… such a great sense of accomplishment!

  • Eleonora January 20, 2011, 4:05 pm

    Second-nature hiker, I’d say. I’ve got a 3000-something feet mountain right on the back door 🙂
    Probably living in the Italian Alps helps, too, as someone mentioned it is extremely popular. I cannot think of any of my local friends who does not own a pair of mountain boots. Although not all of them are passionate about it, it’s definitely an activity that happens!

  • Paige @ Moxie & Marmalade January 20, 2011, 4:09 pm

    I’m not much of a hiker, but I totally know what you mean — going down is so much harder. I’m always afraid I’ll fall and face plant into the rocks!

  • Julie (A Case of the Runs) January 20, 2011, 4:14 pm

    I’m not much of a hiker… I hate getting cut up (though I was willing to get some through a mud run, go figure).

    Speaking of which, is that cut on your leg from the hike or shaving??

    • Caitlin January 20, 2011, 4:27 pm

      Shaving. I am approx 15 years old.

  • Balanced Healthy Life January 20, 2011, 4:15 pm

    I live in AZ and still have never hiked Camelback! I always hear great things about it though! I love hiking in northern AZ a lot, anywhere from Sedona to Flagstaff!

  • Laine at Beets, Butter and Mountaintops January 20, 2011, 4:15 pm

    I’m a hiker. I love it! Going down is often more difficult. I hiked Mt. Washington (Highest peak in the east) with my dad this summer. It took us 11 hours! We were pokey but it was so awesome to spend the day doing what we loved (and the trail we took was practically straight up, so it was slow going both ways).

    I have hiking poles which make it so much better. And you extend them on the way down so they act like 2 more legs. Basically I look like a giant spider coming down the mountains. But my knees are happy!

  • Valerie from Love and Running January 20, 2011, 4:18 pm

    I love hiking and I def want to to hike Camelback mountain once I get a chance 🙂

    your burrito looks absolutely delicious 🙂

  • Ashley @ Ashley's Adventures in Alaska January 20, 2011, 4:23 pm

    I loooooove to hike! There are really great trails here in Anchorage, and even more in the surrounding areas. My favorite is Flat Top- you get a great view of ANC and the inlet, and can pick blueberries when they’re ripe! Alaska at it’s best. 🙂

  • Josephine @ Creating a Positive Life January 20, 2011, 4:24 pm

    That looks so beautiful. I may be going to Phoenix in April so I will have to check that trail out if I do go! I do love to hike but don’t do it as much as I’d like. Living in Alaska there are all sorts of places to go, but I’m strictly a summer (or maybe spring or fall) hiker – no snow hiking for me.

    • Caitlin January 20, 2011, 8:53 pm

      Def do the hike and the Arizona Food Tour!

  • Rachel January 20, 2011, 4:30 pm

    I llllooovvve hiking!

    My fiance grew up on a 110 acres out in West Texas and there is a small mountain range nearby. Every year his parents host a huge Labor Day cookout so we load up all of our local friends in Dallas and head out there for the weekend.

    This last time we were all there together we decided to go hike up the mountains! But they are not popular and there are no trails or anything so we just cut our way through. I wound up really scraped up and sweaty…but it was fun! The goal was to get to “blow out mountain” which was an old spot for miners. Anyone who makes it there carves their name into the stone (not very nature friendly but its also not a national park or anything)

  • Amanda January 20, 2011, 4:31 pm

    What a great view! I love hiking and I can’t wait to live somewhere with mountains again!

  • Lauren January 20, 2011, 4:34 pm

    I LOVE hiking, and there’s tons of mountains around me. This summer, my family & I hiked the highest mountain on the East Coast – Mt. Washington in NH, and it was a HARD but fun & beautiful hike. It’s so awesome to be in nature while hiking! I even saw a moose once.

  • nicole January 20, 2011, 4:39 pm

    I love to hike! There are plenty of places to hike by me, but the trouble is fitting in time to do them on the weekend, especially since it’s a little colder now. The hike looks beautiful, it reminds me of one I did in Palm Springs over Christmas!

  • Anna@ Newlywed, Newly Veg January 20, 2011, 4:39 pm

    Wow– what an amazing view!!! Very cool!

  • Heather January 20, 2011, 4:41 pm

    Living in British Columbia we have some world class hiking! My current favourite low level hike is the Juan de Fuca Trail. Other than that, summiting any mountain is pretty amazing!

  • Kimberly January 20, 2011, 4:42 pm

    I grew up in AZ, and now live near San Francisco. The one biggest thing I miss about Arizona (besides being near family) is the beautiful hiking. Especially during the winter…so, so nice!

  • Kelly January 20, 2011, 4:44 pm

    I agree Camelback is the hardest mountain in Pheonix and going down takes me almost as long as going up for sure! The Grand Canyon is a trip though…you go down first! So it is a little different. You go down, down, down and you don’t ever feel winded then you turn around and it is like uh oh! haha!

    • Caitlin January 20, 2011, 8:54 pm

      hahah good point! canyons are reverse hikes.

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) January 20, 2011, 4:46 pm

    I’ve never gone on a hike, but I would really love to! (You know that we don’t have mountains here in Florida!)

  • Natalia - a side of simple January 20, 2011, 4:46 pm

    Wow, what a stunning view! Totally worth getting up early for. Not only did you get in a workout but you had some lovely time to just reflect with some (strenuous) meditation 🙂

  • Tricia January 20, 2011, 4:52 pm

    I live in the Great Smoky mountains! I hike!

  • Amy January 20, 2011, 4:52 pm

    That sounds like so much fun! I don’t hike often – I’m not very outdoorsy – but I always really enjoy it when I do. Maybe I’ll make 2011 a year of more hikes!

  • Marina January 20, 2011, 4:54 pm

    Hiking alone is awesome. I know how hard can it be, I climbed a pretty steep hill this summer, but the satisfaction at the end was awesome!

  • Amy January 20, 2011, 4:58 pm

    ah camelback is so awesome. its easy to get to but definitely challenging. glad you enjoyed it!!

  • Brianna January 20, 2011, 5:05 pm

    I hiked camelback last year and absolutely love it. it is totally worth the early morning hours! So glad you enjoyed it!

  • Lacey @ Lake Life January 20, 2011, 5:06 pm

    I admire your independence Caitlin! I’m not a hiker to begin with but no way would I take that task on by myself. The views look totally worth it!

  • Kim January 20, 2011, 5:10 pm

    Really enjoyed your pics. My husband and I like to think we are light hikers. Always nice to get out of my element. Really enjoy your blog.

  • Camille January 20, 2011, 5:16 pm

    That sounds like an awesome hike! I hiked half dome in yosemite last summer and it was one of the coolest experiences ever!

  • Ashley January 20, 2011, 5:18 pm

    View looks amazing. I love to hike and explore anywhere I can. Have a good flight!

  • sarah January 20, 2011, 5:19 pm

    Sounds like a great hike, and now i really want to plan a vacation to Arizona 🙂

  • Janene @ One Run at a Time January 20, 2011, 5:21 pm

    I’ve been hiking & backpacking since I was little, and have spent the last 7 years teaching outdoor skills to people of all ages. As much as I find running challenging, hiking can be MUCH more of a workout, especially when you’re carrying your food & shelter on your back! It’s difficult, but the rewards are sometimes unparalleled.

    Also, great idea to take your cell phone – most serious trail accidents happen on day hikes, when people are a little more careless and think “oh, i’ll only be gone a couple hours!” It’s nice to see someone proactively preventing a bad situation!

  • Bronwyn Coyne January 20, 2011, 5:25 pm

    I love hiking, and I don’t think I do enough it, I should try and get some more done here; there’s probably lots!

  • Melissa January 20, 2011, 5:26 pm

    My husband and I had the same burritos the last time we were in the Phoenix airport! They were pretty good.

  • sarah k. @ the pajama chef January 20, 2011, 5:36 pm

    that looks beautiful! what a fun way to end your trip. 🙂

  • Jess@atasteofconfidence January 20, 2011, 5:37 pm

    I have been craving hiking lately. I love working out without really working out, you know?

  • Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun January 20, 2011, 5:43 pm

    Ah! How gorgeous!!! I love hiking. Can’t wait to go on one again this spring.

  • Kris January 20, 2011, 5:50 pm

    I wish FL weren’t so darn flat. The only hike I’ve done was w/ my sister somewhere east of San Diego. It was great and challenging! Next time DH and I go to visit MIL, I’m going to make him take me to Crowder’s Mountain.

  • Maddie (Healthy Maddie) January 20, 2011, 5:58 pm

    I love hiking! It’s one of my favorite things to do. Glad you enjoyed Camelback!

  • Kristen January 20, 2011, 6:09 pm

    I absolutely LOVE hiking! I fell in love a few summers ago on a trip to Breckenridge, Colorado. We did 3 different hikes, are last one being up 4 14,000-ft mountains at one time! Much harder going down than going up – and going up was HARD! I honestly think hiking mountains like that is much harder than running a marathon!

  • Gracie (complicated day) January 20, 2011, 6:13 pm

    I want to go hiking now! But I guess that’s tough luck since in live in New Orleans. Nothing even remotely mountain-y here.

  • Sarra January 20, 2011, 6:19 pm

    after seeing 127 hours, i will NEVER hike alone!

    • Caitlin January 20, 2011, 8:55 pm

      hahah good point. i didn’t even think about that.

  • Amanda (modernation) January 20, 2011, 6:30 pm

    So glad you got the chance to do the hike. I am still sore from it two days later! Love your shaving scar, too! 🙂

  • Heather January 20, 2011, 6:39 pm

    I love hiking Camelback, it’s so pretty and such a challenge. Next time you are in AZ you should hike Superstition Mountain – my first hike ever and a killer…I cried on the way back down when I realized how high up I was!

  • lindsay January 20, 2011, 6:45 pm

    I love hiking! We hike in Lake Tahoe in the sierra nevadas in CA/NV.

  • Amber K January 20, 2011, 6:54 pm

    Wow, that is exactly why I hate hiking! It’s always so hard. Which probably means I need to do it more, lol!

  • mary (what's cookin' with mary) January 20, 2011, 6:56 pm

    I love love love hiking! I’ve never done anything as hard as this one though. That’s awesome!!

  • Chelsey January 20, 2011, 6:59 pm

    That’s awesome! I actually have plans to hike Camelback in the morning with friends before class. It’s been a while since I’ve gone so I’m excited to get back up there!

    • Caitlin January 20, 2011, 8:55 pm

      have fun and be safe!

  • Rachel @ Grateful Girl Goes Gluten Free January 20, 2011, 7:21 pm

    That looked like an AWESOME hike. Seriously, I don’t even like hiking, but that made me want to go.

  • carolyn January 20, 2011, 7:22 pm

    Great job Caitlin! Camelback is brutal! My first time up Camelback was 51 minutes and my second time I didn’t reach the top because I didn’t want my hiking partner to have to wait for for too long since he does it in 25 minutes so I turned around hoping he’d pass me on the way down.

  • Katie @ peacebeme January 20, 2011, 7:33 pm

    Mmmm I love Chipotle-style burritoes and awesome hikes with a great view and feeling of accomplishment!

  • LauraJayne January 20, 2011, 7:42 pm

    I think in-flight wifi is probably one of the best inventions ever. I don’t need on-flight television, music, or sky mags (although I do enjoy those… since I could never rationalize purchasing anything so far…) since wifi is now available!

  • Coco January 20, 2011, 8:08 pm

    I love hiking. My dad and I go backpacking together 🙂

  • Steph! January 20, 2011, 8:09 pm

    I am not a hiker at all, but I wish I was. Maybe this summer I’ll give it a shot

  • Southen Sober Girl Runs January 20, 2011, 8:44 pm

    Isn’t it a FUN hike!!!!!!!! I love seeing your pics!

  • Southen Sober Girl Runs January 20, 2011, 8:44 pm

    Isn’t it a FUN hike!!!!!!!! I love seeing your pics!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit January 20, 2011, 8:48 pm

    I love hiking and do it as much as possible here in NH. You rock for going by yourself!

  • Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good January 20, 2011, 8:49 pm

    I like hiking. An uphill hike sure does get the heart beating and probably is harder work than a flat run.

  • Kathie @ Frugal, Fit and Fabulous January 20, 2011, 9:03 pm

    wow! so pretty!!! i would love to be able to hike on camelback. i love hiking. it’s a tough workout but also a very mentally cleansing. safe flight home

  • Krista @ Can't Survive on Yarn Alone January 20, 2011, 9:07 pm

    We have family friends who live close to Camelback Mt. I havent hiked it yet – always think of it too late in the day or was there to hike elsewhere.

    Highly recc hiking Havasupai if you ever have the chance. You camp within the reservation that is part of the Grand Canyon. Long hard hike at times but def worth it. It was our honeymoon.

  • Lana January 20, 2011, 9:20 pm

    What a gorgeous hike! Its sounds so peaceful and rejuvenating! Looks like you had a great trip!!!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin January 20, 2011, 9:22 pm

    I love to hike, but the trails around here are all pretty easy. I’d love to hike a challenging trail like that one!

  • Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} January 20, 2011, 9:28 pm

    When I lived in AZ I hiked Camelback a lot. I miss it. 🙁 Hiking is the best workout! I’ve loved seeing your AZ pictures.

  • Becky January 20, 2011, 9:32 pm

    I did the hike on Tuesday with the Girls on the Run group and I am still sore! BTW, your presentation at the summit rocked. We were posting notes all over the place through the Wednesday session.

    • Caitlin January 20, 2011, 9:36 pm

      Thank you SO much Becky!

  • foodandfarm January 20, 2011, 9:39 pm

    Your rlationship advice comes at the perfect time. Thanks 🙂

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss January 20, 2011, 9:56 pm

    I love hiking although I don’t get very often. It is a ton of fun though..and very beautiful!

  • Jessica January 20, 2011, 11:09 pm

    I’m pretty sure I hiked that same trail when my family and I visited Phoenix! We also did not expect it to be so difficult – 1.2 miles didn’t sound so bad. I was not in good shape at the time, and coming down was definitely harder than going up. My legs were shaking so bad! It’s definitely a beautiful view though.

  • Anya January 20, 2011, 11:29 pm

    Appalachian Trail 2009, Maine to Georgia. I commented on one of your posts about the “number” bumper stickers like the 26.2 when people run marathons. Mine is a “2,178” which is miles for through-hiking the AT) 🙂 … if you like the type of hiking you did, which sounds like what we call “non-technical climbing” you will enjoy the Whites and Maine and New Hampshire..

    • Caitlin January 21, 2011, 11:22 am

      2,178 is so much cooler than 26.2!

  • Michelle January 20, 2011, 11:39 pm

    I’m so happy to hear that you got to hike Camelback! It’s one of the best hikes you can do in the Phoenix area. The last time I hiked it, there was a man doing some sort of yoga position (he was practically on his head!) on the very ledge of the top of the mountain. Crazy! Glad to hear that you and your husband had a nice time in AZ. 🙂

  • Christine January 20, 2011, 11:49 pm

    All the way up Half Dome in Yosemite (14 miles there and back) last summer. I am not a hiker and decided to go big. I could barely move for a week after 🙂

  • Raya January 21, 2011, 1:15 am

    So, we are like one day behind each other in activities. Except that I don’t have to leave tomorrow to go home. Today my mom and I explored Old Town Scottsdale and tomorrow we’re planning to hike Camelback! We were just discussing which trail to take when I saw this post. So funny. Sorry I missed you while you were here!

  • Juli D. January 21, 2011, 8:39 am

    My husband and I (and our friends) have been backcountry hikers for about 5 years now. So we load up our backpacks with the food and supplies we need and head into a National Park and don’t emerge for 4-8 days. It takes a lot of planning and preparation but it’s so great to enjoy the peace and see the amazing sites. This summer we’re planning to hike around base of Mt. Rainier which would be our longest time in the backcountry (10 days – we’ll even need to do a food cache!) and we’ll have to do double digits mile days the whole time. I’m ready for the challenge though and it’s supposed to be gorgeous!

  • Betty January 21, 2011, 10:59 am

    Camelback is one of my favorite hikes in Arizona. I’m glad you decided to hike it 🙂

  • Dee January 22, 2011, 3:28 pm

    I think I would love to hike. Look at the view from the top! So gorgeous!

  • Courtney February 8, 2011, 10:29 am

    I’ve been twice in the last week! You inspired me to start going again and I love it. We made it up in about 40 minutes yesterday and ran down most of what we could.

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