Camelback at night

[Thoreau]

Does anyone know if it's possible to get clearance to be on top of Camelback after dark? Officially, the park is only open sunrise to sunset, but I'd really love to get some sunset and night photos of the valley from up there (Squaw Peak too eventaully) but I can't say that I'm too terribly interested in getting arrested for trespassing or such.

Any thoughts/suggestions/tips?

[joebartels]

It's definitely not legal in any of the Phx Preserves.

Personally I'd stay away from Camelback all together. The echo parking lot is surrounded by a close knit community, they'll call and have you towed. If you park on Invergorden you'll probably get towed too as it's patrolled every couple hours.

At Squaw a better option is to go in early like 2am. You can park in the auxiliary lot without much issue. There's so many thieves in there at night I think they stole sign warning about thieves

South Mountain they use search lights and megaphones to corral you down on the north side. Ahwatukee residents go up all the time from the South side, or so I've heard... :whistle:

Once again, definitely not legal!

[trekkin_gecko]

new year's eve several years ago, some friends and i hiked the cholla side of camelback during a full moon
parked on chapparal and just walked on up
our party of four had the whole place to ourselves
there was enough light that we didn't even turn on our flashlights

[Thoreau]

It's definitely not legal in any of the Phx Preserves.

Personally I'd stay away from Camelback all together. The echo parking lot is surrounded by a close knit community, they'll call and have you towed. If you park on Invergorden you'll probably get towed too as it's patrolled every couple hours.

At Squaw a better option is to go in early like 2am. You can park in the auxiliary lot without much issue. There's so many thieves in there at night I think they stole sign warning about thieves

South Mountain they use search lights and megaphones to corral you down on the north side. Ahwatukee residents go up all the time from the South side, or so I've heard... :whistle:

Once again, definitely not legal!

Considering how many idiots they have to rescue from the likes of these mountains, I'm not too surprised by the restrictions. It would be nice if there was some method for excemption though. Not that they have any reliable method for confirmation, but I have done numerous hikes far more strenuousand with a decent level of frequency that I'd consider myself more than qualified to handle Camelback even without the benefit of the sun (waterfall area after dark coming down from Flatiron anyone? Long story.. hehe.)

Gonna try Squaw peak out tonight with camera gear (and be out before the 11pm shutdown) just to see if its even worth the hassle for a more organized/risky venture =) Origianlly wanted to try for shots of the meteor shower from Flatiron tonight (and still make it to work at 8am tomorrow morning) but gave up on that idea since I'm too lazy to pull that one off. Probably wont see much of the meteor shower (if anything) from Squaw Peak, but at least I can get some nice cityscape shots.

[joebartels]

If you still have all your Nikon gear and are taking it up you might consider the ridge east of Squaw. I was hounded with onlookers questions on Squaw.
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=770

However it'll be anything but dark anywhere in the city. Personally I'd go out to Canyon Lake Massif or one of the easy peaks out there, if not a simple drive up to Lone Pine Saddle.

[chumley]

I'm not sure there's going to be much of a sky for perseids anywhere north or east of the valley tonight. At least not until after the storms die down. So being on Flatiron might result in you dodging lightning strikes!

[Thoreau]

If you still have all your Nikon gear and are taking it up you might consider the ridge east of Squaw. I was hounded with onlookers questions on Squaw.
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=770

However it'll be anything but dark anywhere in the city. Personally I'd go out to Canyon Lake Massif or one of the easy peaks out there, if not a simple drive up to Lone Pine Saddle.

*hurl* Nikon!? Ewwwwwww...... All Canon all the time here =)

Wow, very nice shots on the Canyon Lake spot... If I thought I could make it out there with enough daylight left, I'd definitely hit that spot up just to get it with the clouds still in the sky. (I'm a huge fan of clouds in AZ since they're so uncommon.) Didn't even realize that was a hikeable spot even though i've pointed to it a few times while doing La Barge.

Got some time coming up in Sedona on Saturday. If clouds are still hanging around on Sunday I may just have to hit this one up then.

[Thoreau]

I'm not sure there's going to be much of a sky for perseids anywhere north or east of the valley tonight. At least not until after the storms die down. So being on Flatiron might result in you dodging lightning strikes!

I'm bringing a friend who is 6ft 6in tall... AND he's carrying the tripod... I'm safe =)

[FreespiritAZ]

I have never hiked Camelback at night. However, I have hiked Squaw Peak past park hours many times and never had any trouble....knock on wood. I even spent the night there with just a sleeping back and some snacks so that I could get some good pictures of the sunrise. If you do go, and don't want to get caught, I suggest going during a full moon so you won't need a flashlight. Though I have hiked it before when there wasn't much moonlight without a flashlight and been just fine. Make sure to park outside the gates in the neighborhood so your car doesn't get locked in.

Oh, if you plan on going at night be careful and watch for rattlesnakes. I encountered one on the way down one time. The snake was in between two rocks that formed a step, so just keep your eyes peeled. You might be able to catch a picture of a few ringtails if you are quiet enough. Outside of Peppersauce Cave in Oracle is the only place I have ever seen the little guys other than Sqauw Peak...bring some sardines as bait, lol.

[Nighthiker]

Quite late one time leaving Spur Cross, just told them I took a nap and it was dark out when I awoke.

[Thoreau]

So after already sending a message off to nag The Man, I remembered this thread from many moons ago.

Just curious if things have changed at all with regards to late hikes on Camelback?

I've done a few recent Squaw Peak hikes, arriving at ~6:30 and not getting back to the car until after 8 (sunset/close being at about 7) and haven't run into any issues, but Camelback being the superhighway it is, and surrounded by the elite, kinda has me worried about doing the same.

Kinda hopeful that they've become a little more lax on late departures after the full remodel of the parking area, but Joe's previous warning about the locals and towing make pause for sure.

[joebartels]

check out my post two posts in this thread

After that I put it to the test on Aug 18th. Showed up with just enough time to finish by sunset. Rangers were friendly as always. I finished maybe two minutes after the sun dipped below the horizon. As I was leaving another couple just started. If I was going to hike Camelback regularly at sunset I'd email Parks & Rec.

[Thoreau]

Hehe, my emails to them probably get automatically routed to the legal department given my history of communication with them on their signs/guns. =)

But yeah, I'd agree.

Given your recent experience, I suspect it'll be not much different than the way they've been handling Squaw Peak. Or at least I hope so. I'm making my friend drive so at least it won't be my vehicle missing if things go south =)

Personally, Camelback isn't my first choice as I really don't expect any available parking when we get there (Squaw Peak is already a crapshoot that early... at least without heading to some of the more distant lots.) But I guess we'll see.

Wether my fatness can endure this on a frequent and routine basis has yet to be determined. But I'd sure like to keep it up. Saw the bathroom scale dip into a number that started with 1 instead of 2 today (barely) so there's some motivation for sure.

[joebartels]

For clarification: while the gate closes at 7pm, trails remain open until 11pm at Piestewa Peak/Dreamy Draw.

[RowdyandMe]

@joe bartels
You call still drive out after 7pm correct?

[Thoreau]

In the case of Squaw Peak, I've driven out past 8pm twice in the last week. The inbound gate is closed off of course, while the outbound is open with the 1-way-tire-shredders in place.

[RowdyandMe]

@Thoreau
I'm thinking that's the same for Camelback but I don't know for sure.

[joebartels]

Piestewa Peak / Dreamy Draw

Ranger Office Phone: (602) 261-8318
Hours: All gated roadways and trailhead parking areas are open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Trails remain open until 11 p.m.

Camelback

Parking lot and trail hours: sunrise to sunset

[chumley]

Phoenix Parks and Recreation Desert Mountains/Preserves Rules

Most trails open at 5 a.m. and most close at 11 p.m. daily, however trailhead parking areas close at 7 p.m. and hours for some areas vary. Link

The information listed below is printed exactly as it appears on the Phoenix Parks website as of 8/30/15. It may change over time.

Camelback Mountain: Link
Echo Canyon Trail: Parking lot and trail hours: sunrise to sunset
Cholla Trail: Trail hours: sunrise to sunset

Piestewa Peak / Dreamy Draw: Link
2701 E. Squaw Peak Drive
2421 E. Northern Ave.
Hours: All gated roadways and trailhead parking areas are open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Trails remain open until 11 p.m.

South Mountain: Link
Hours for all trailhead areas and entrances: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. (entrance gates close). Trails remain open until 11 p.m.

Lookout and Shadow Mountain Link
15800 N. 16th St. Parking lot hours: Sunrise to 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first.

North Mountain Link
10600 N. 7th St.: Parking lot hours: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
12950 N. 7th St.: Parking lot hours: sunrise to sunset or 7 p.m. (whichever comes first)

Deem Hills Park Link
51st Avenue and Deem Hills Parkway: Parking Lot Hours: 5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
27500 N. 39th Ave.: Parking Lot Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
All trails are open until 11 p.m.

Papago Park: Link
Gated roadways and parking areas east of Galvin Park open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Parking areas west of Galvin Parkway is sunrise to sunset or 7 p.m. whichever comes first. Though parking areas, restrooms and ramadas close earlier, trails remain open until 11 p.m.

Sonoran Preserve: Link
Hours are not specified on website.

Reach 11: Link
Trails are open from sunrise to sunset.

Rio Salado Restoration Area: Link
2439 S. Central Ave. (Northeast corner)
3212 S. 7th Ave. (Southwest corner)
2801 S. 7th Ave. (Equestrian Staging)
2875 S. 7th St. (Southeast corner)
3203 S. 16th St. (Southeast corner)
All trailhead parking areas are open from sunrise to sunset, or to 7 p.m.; whichever comes first seasonally.

*For areas where only parking lot hours are specified, PRESUMABLY trails are open until 11pm based on the main quote at the top of this post. When in doubt, always obey posted signs at each park.

[Thoreau]

Well, the ranger woman at the trailhead made no secret of their desire that people be GONE at sunset. Making it a point to mention that it's illegal, etc. to be there past close. Thinly veiled threats that we heed said warning.

Sooooo, up we went still fairly determined to hit the peak despite the 6:25 start. Ended up making a u-turn about 3/4 of the way up as clouds and rainfall were forming within view and moving in. (Actually got caught in some very awesome rain on the last stretch of smooth switchbacks... lovin it!)

We were hardly the only ones left up there (with probably a dozen more above us that didn't seem to be fazed by the weather or time) as a small herd of about a dozen people made their way back to their cars.

I find it somewhat comical (and idiotic) that the ranger's reason for the sudden 'enforcement' (or threat of it) is because of the recent rash of night time rescues. So their logic is to push people into the hotter parts of the day, and increase the chance of rescues during daylight as they all heatstroke out, vs. letting people hike when it's cooler (as has been done for years) and possibly avoiding ANY need for rescue.

Good old government.