This wasn’t the best week on the books. There was a lot of putting myself out there for one thing or another, not having any of it work out and being left feeling completely defeated. Not really the best feeling.
Want to know what was though?
Climbing this biatch.
As my coworker and I sat at a social hour that never really materialized for the conference we were at we were trying to decide between being lame and pretty much going back to our rooms or doing something in the area for our last night in Phoenix.
Why not climb the mountain that was 2 miles from our hotel?
Don’t mind my “oh, shit I have to climb this thing” face. The picture doesn’t do the incline justice. At all. When railings are needed, you know it’s steep.
We made it about 10 minutes from the top when the sun set and figured rather than risk getting stuck on the side of this thing in the dark we should probably head down.
The views from the “almost top” were still amazing.
Equally as amazing was this blood orange spritzer type drink from True Food Kitchen to end the day.
Kind of sad I’m on my way home to 50 degree temps and rain. Really, why DO people live in the northeast? It just doesn’t make sense.
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It was 75 here all week, picked the wrong week to go away!
What a gorgeous hike! My friend was in Phoenix not too long ago and went on a hike while she was there – could have been the very same trail. I love AZ…so nice in the winter time, although I have to admit the 90-degree weather at night there is a big much.
Hope you enjoyed your trip and just remember it will be summer on the east coast soon enough 
Too bad the sun set before you could get to the top! I have a couple friends who live near Phoenix, and love hiking there. We live in CO, and with gorgeous weather this weekend we will be headed up into the mountains for some hikes!
glad you got to hike camelback! it is certainly quite the bitch to climb! i grew up in AZ, and my volleyball team would have to hike/run up camelback for conditioning practices. it pretty much sucked. it sure is a pretty view when you get to the top though!
We saw people running it and I was like “WTH?! how is that even possible” Although, I had so much energy coming down at the end I kinda wanted to run too!
I recently moved to Phoenix and hiked Camelback this week for the first time! Love your pictures – my phone/camera was in someone else’s backpack so I didn’t get any and can’t wait to show these to my hubby! P.S. Love your Butterfinger Dough Balls. They are my go-to pre and post-run snack!
I almost didn’t bring my phone b/c I had no pockets but then I just decided to stick it in my sports bra and roll with it. So glad I did! Although, the phone was slightly sweaty and disgusting by the end
Enjoy that area, I’m kinda jealous. Wish I had time to do some other hikes!
I lived in Scottsdale for 9 mos and had a view of Camelback and you’re right, that hike is no joke! Glad you were able to get out and explore..beats a hotel room!
If that area had water, I’d move in a heartbeat. All that hiking and scenery is just gorgeous.
That’s amazing that places like that actually exist! As a native south Floridian, flat land is pretty much all I know. Granted, I do have the weather on my side (I’m sorry!)
I know, as much as I want to move back to Florida, the lack of elevation can definitely make things boring! Although, I just saw your instagram pic on the beach so I don’t have much sympathy for you right now!
That climb must have been rough but its beautiful. I instead get to go to Virginia. Sorry the conference was a bummer.
Why? Because the weather always keeps us on our toes
I miss hiking! With all the crappy weather here, I’m lucky if I can get out of the house!! The photo’s a are beautiful!!!
Wow – gorgeous! I love hiking, but I never make the time for it. (I also love True Food Kitchen but don’t live near one. Waaahhhh)
That was smart to not go all the way to the top when it’s almost dark, unless you want some ankle sprains or something like that. Going on that hike was a great choice, it looks fun! If I climbed that though, I would constantly be looking down to keep my footing and watch for snakes?
Yeah, we both really wanted to get to the top but too risky. Although, there were people still ascending when we were going down. I hope they had head lamps or something b/c it was dark when we reached the bottom!
Geez that’s one intense climb!!
Found this post interesting! I’ll be pinning this on pinterest today!
You made it to Phoenix at just the right time of year! The weather is perfect right now…and Camelback is such an intense mountain (but with a gorgeous view!)
That looks like an amazing place!!!!
Not as fun as going to Cabela’s in Texas, but still looks like fun
I hiked that mountain two years ago and it was SO HARD! The steepness slightly terrified me-but the views were incredible. I actually saw people RUNNING up and down which seemed so crazy dangerous to me!
Yeah, I was baffled by those runners!