Fifty Things to See & Do In Arizona Before I Turn 50: Climb Every Mountain... ...Till You Find Your Dream

The night before I hiked Camelback mountain I watched the Sound of Music on TV. I found a bit of irony in this. If you remember the end of the movie, you recall that the von Trapp family climbs the Swiss alps to escape pursuing Nazi solders. Motivation like that might have helped me climb Camelback -- a helping hand from a young Christopher Plummer would have helped too.

If you've never hiked Camelback, let me warn you, the Summit Trail out of Echo Canyon is know to be strenuous and difficult. The elevation gain is 1,264 feet (the summit is 2,704 feet) and the trail is 1.2 miles -- one way. This, however, didn't deter me.

I had originally planned this hike for New Years Day, but some wise friends warned me against this. The trail is quite popular on weekends and holidays, and if you don't like to have another hiker on your heals -- literally -- it's best to pick another day. I did and was off to a good start. I had a hiking stick to help me up the stair-like trail and to steady my steps in the rocky areas. There were quite a few other hikers on the trail, but no one was in a rush and there was plenty of time to stop and check out the spectacular view of the Valley.

I had gone 3/4 of a mile up the trail and was feeling really good. All was going well -- until I found this. A steep rock incline that you literally had to pull yourself up, hand-over-hand, along a guide rail.

Here's something you may not know about me. I have a fear of heights. Well, more like a fear of falling hundred of feet to my death. While I considered going up the rock wall, I was sure there was no way I would make it back down without help from the Phoenix Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue Team. Although it's not a bad way to meet a cute fireman, I decided it was better to turn around and find a new trail.

Luckily there are a few other hiking options at Camelback and my trip was not a total loss. For less adventurous types there are the Ramada and Bobby's Rock trails, the latter of which takes you towards the camel's head. Both offer the opportunity to explore the urban mountain park -- without scaling a sheer rock wall.

Since my visit to Camelback didn't quite turn out as planned, I'm not ready to cross this one off my list. I'm willing to give the trip to the top one more try, but I'll take a different path -- the Cholla Trail. It starts at the back side (butt end) of Camelback. It's a little bit longer -- 1.5 miles each way -- and is still recommenced only for experienced hikers. As long as it doesn't require ropes, a harness, anchor chains and rappelling rings I might be able to make it.