A breathtaking view of Camelback Mountain with towering saguaros on a lush golf course in Phoenix, Arizona. A perfect example of the beauty of the desert oasis.
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This is the view of the south face of Camelback Mountain from the north part of Papago Park just south of McDowell Road. I believe the vacant land north of McDowell Road is all part of the National Guard Armory. I am so glad Phoenix secured and preserved the higher elevations or else there would probably be huge mansions on top.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camelback_Mountain
"Camelback Mountain (O'odham: Cew S-wegiom) is a mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. The English name is derived from its shape, which resembles the hump and head of a kneeling camel.[3] The mountain, a prominent landmark of the Phoenix metropolitan area, is located in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area between the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix and the town of Paradise Valley. It is a popular recreation destination for hiking and rock climbing.
"Efforts to protect Camelback Mountain as a natural preserve began in the early 1910s. However, by the 1960s, nearly all of the area had been sold to private interests. Federal and state authorities attempted to stop development above the one thousand and six hundred feet level. They failed to halt development and in 1963 efforts to arrange a land exchange failed in the Arizona State legislature. In 1965, United States Senator Barry Goldwater took up the cause and helped to secure the higher elevations against development. The area became a Phoenix city park in 1968.[7]
Geology
"The mountain is composed of a geologic unconformity between two separate rock formations. The higher part of the peak is Precambrian granite (ca. 1.5 billion years old). The head of the camel is predominantly red sedimentary sandstone from the Chattian stage of the Oligocene epoch (ca. 25 million years old).[9]"
I hiked the Double Butte Trail at Papago Park. I've used Papago Butte for climbing and rappeling training, but I considered these trails too easy. I'm getting back into hiking after C.A.B.G. surgery, so easy was good today. I had no idea what to expect today. I used to hike "over and backs" from the Cholla Trailhead to the Echo Canyon Trailhead and back. The Echo Canyon Trailhead is on the north side of the Camel's head. The Cholla Trailhead is on Cholla and Invergordon on the right just out of the frame.