Phoenix firefighters were hustling on both sides of Camelback Mountain late Sunday night, juggling two separate rescues in the dark along the Cholla and Echo Canyon trails. One hiker was reported lost near the top of the Cholla side, while two people on Echo Canyon ended up with minor injuries. Crews stayed on the mountain into the night as technical-rescue teams picked their way up steep, exposed rock to reach everyone who needed help.
Fire officials confirmed the twin responses in early updates, saying one person had become lost near the Cholla summit and that two hikers on Echo Canyon were being treated for minor injuries, according to ABC15. The outlet reported that the situation was still developing at the time and that firefighters were remaining on scene as more information came in.
What technical rescues look like
Phoenix's technical-rescue teams train for exactly this kind of call, working with ropes, specialized stretchers and, when needed, helicopter hoists to deal with Camelback's steeper upper sections, according to KJZZ. Crews may haul heavy gear up rocky slopes or request the Firebird hoist ship when a carryout on foot would be unsafe. Those operations can run for hours and require multiple specialists, which can put a serious dent in available rescue resources on already busy days.
Where crews were operating and why the trails are risky
The Cholla route is accessed from Invergordon Road, while Echo Canyon's trailhead sits off McDonald Drive. Both trails are listed as “Extremely Difficult” on the city’s official trail pages, which flag exposed rock and limited shade as key hazards, according to City of Phoenix.
A review of mountain-rescue data shows Camelback and nearby Piestewa Peak accounted for dozens of rescues in recent years, with combined totals of 58 in 2021, 45 in 2022, 30 in 2023 and 35 in 2024. The same review concluded that the Trail Heat Safety Program, which restricts access on Extreme Heat Warning days to cut heat-related calls, has reduced rescues at sites where closures are enforced, according to a City of Phoenix report.
What officials are urging
Officials and first responders keep repeating the same checklist for anyone eyeing Camelback: start before sunrise, carry plenty of water, wear solid hiking shoes and check both trail status and weather conditions before heading out. Local coverage has hammered home those basics after several days this spring where crews were sent to multiple desert rescues in a single day. Reporters note that small mistakes, like running out of water, choosing bad footwear or letting a phone battery die, routinely turn an ordinary hike into a long, technical extraction.
Anyone planning to take on Camelback is urged to watch official trail pages and Phoenix Fire’s social media for real-time updates, advice reinforced after six desert rescues in 24 hours were reported in the region.
