Cholla Trail 1   Cholla Trail 2   Echo Canyon 1   Echo Canyon 2 (click on photo for larger, sharper image)

Having tried unsuccessfully to complete the Cholla Trail on the east side of Camelback Mountain earlier, this time I thought I d give the more popular, Echo Canyon Trail, a try. Leaving after work meant that once again, I didn't give myself enough to go to the top and back before darkness, but at least I got a taste of the trail. Getting back near sunset meant that I was treated to the mountain being colored red. If you look at the first shot compared the second, you can clearly see the color difference, although it always seems tough to truly capture the color in a photo

This trailhead has a parking lot, and despite it being a pretty busy time on the trail, there were still plenty of spots. I ve been told the parking lot was renovated relatively recently and not nearly as hit and miss as it was in the past. This trail has a bit of a different feel the Cholla, rather wide and smooth at the start, and a few handrails on the first few steep climbs.

On the one picture, I shot straight up the cliff face towards the sky. I always like different perspective shots. On the last one, I was trying to show the steepness of the second big climb (note handrail), but by trying to also get my two coworkers, I pretty much failed at that attempt.