Cholla Trail is open: Here's where to park and how hard it is - The Arizona Republic

One of the most popular trails in Phoenix is reopening.

Cholla Trail, on the east side of Camelback Mountain, reopens on Friday, Sept. 30, after a 2½-year closure. The trail was closed for construction, safety improvements and a trailhead realignment. 

Since the closure, many hikers have instead trekked Camelback's other trail, Echo Canyon,, also wildly popular.

Hikes on the improved Cholla Trail can expect to see new amenities including a designated drop-off and pick-up area, bathrooms and a water fountain. 

Want to try the improved Cholla Trail? Here's what hikers need to know. 

Exclusive: Camelback Mountain trailhead to reopen in new location as controversy lingers

Why is Cholla Trail closed?

Phoenix closed the Cholla Trail in March 2020 to make safety improvements after a boulder fell onto a hiker's legs, causing severe injuries.

The closure was extended to address the traffic congestion caused by large numbers of hikers using Cholla Lane to get to the trailhead. The city has since secured an easement along the neighboring Phoenician property for a new trailhead and parking spots. 

More: Best desert hikes to try in metro Phoenix now that it's finally cooling off

What's new at Cholla Trail? 

According to Adam Waltz, public information officer for the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, over $1.2 million was spent on the trailhead realignment, trail modifications and hiker amenities. 

There are new stone steps at the beginning of the trail and additional sign posts along the trail.

Unstable boulders have been removed. 

These changes and the relocation of the trailhead are intended to improve safety and the hiking experience, Waltz said.  

"We always want to stress hiker safety," Waltz said. "That's a big win for hikers' safety to have water there and bathrooms there. As you move up toward the trail, there's some nice stone steps that were added that are really nice.

"I just hiked half of it the other day. And it's a well put together trail, a new trail, and then it picks up with the old trail, maybe a quarter mile up before it reconnects and it goes back to Camelback Mountain." 

Where is Cholla Trail parking?

The trailhead was moved from Cholla Lane to Invergordon Road. There is no designated parking lot.

There are more than 70 street parking spots along the west side of Invergordon Road, Waltz said.

There also are three designated rideshare areas that are away from traffic where  passengers can get picked up or dropped off. 

How hard is Cholla Trail? 

Cholla Trail is rated extremely difficult, according to the parks department. The trail is 1.5 miles one way with over 1,400 feet of elevation change.

Waltz said the trail now has less scrambling on its lower portion. Hikers can expect a more asphalt-like trail in the beginning. It becomes extremely steep and requires some bouldering in the upper third section on the way to the summit.

Dogs are prohibited on the Cholla Trail. 

Cholla Trail on Camelback Mountain

When: The trail reopens Friday, Sept. 30.  Hours are sunrise to sunset daily.

Where: 5150 N. Invergordon Road, Paradise Valley.

Admission: Free. 

Details: https://www.phoenix.gov.

You can connect with Arizona Republic Culture and Outdoors Reporter Shanti Lerner through email at shanti.lerner@gannett.com  or you can also follow her on Twitter. 

Support local journalism like this story by subscribing today.

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