Epic Camelback Mountain Guided Hiking Adventure in Phoenix, Arizona

This hike was truly one of the best experiences of my life. Being completely brand new to hiking, I did not know what to expect going into it. Fortunately, I was paired with the best Hiking guide in the world Curtis Whipple. He truly made the experience even better. With his uplifting personality, his patience and his motivation to reach the top I was able to conquer the hike and reach the top. Curtis does an amazing job of explaining how to navigate the hike to make sure we are prepared for what’s to come as we got closer to the top. He truly has a big heart and cares a lot about people, throughout the hike when we passed several people that looked like they were struggling a little bit or maybe just taking a break. He would always ask if they were okay, if they needed any water, or even if they needed a bandanna to cool down. He was also extremely prepared for the hike. He had a backpack filled with many different things to make sure that the extreme heat and weather conditions did not affect me in any way. This experience is truly something I will never forget and I look forward to my next trip to Arizona so that I can plan another hike with Curtis. I fell in love with Hiking on this trip and I hope to make it a new hobby of mine for the rest of my life. Thanks again Curtis, you truly are one of a kind!

I booked the tour as I was scared to climb Camelback Mountain with my 13 year old son by myself. Mad Desert Trekking was the perfect answer to my dilemma. I booked the tour and called the phone number listed to ask questions. The owner Matt Kalina answer all my questions. Matt actually was our tour guide for the climb and he was excellent. He explained all the sections of the climb, encourage us as we climbed, pointed out local plants, took wonderful pictures at the summit and pointed out local scenery I would have never been able to know about not being from Arizona. I wouldn't hesitate to book with Mad Desert Trekking if I was in Arizona again. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would!

I had an amazing experience hiking Camelback with Mad Desert Trekking! As a solo woman hiker, I felt completely comfortable and supported the entire time thanks to the guide, Doug. He was incredibly skilled, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout the hike, sharing great information while making sure I felt safe and encouraged. What really stood out was how mindful he was of everyone on the trail. On the trail, another hiker started cramping badly, and Doug immediately stepped in to help. As a medic, he handled the situation calmly and professionally. His experience and care made a huge impression on me. Highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting a challenging but rewarding Camelback experience with a truly exceptional guide!

Curtis led us on the tour of Camelback Mountain. He was extremely knowledgeable, light-hearted, and was friends with everyone on the mountain. Took the time to care for others on our journey, wonderful picture and action shots, and amazing service. The hike itself is difficult and contains breathtaking views. Would recommend Curtis, and this to anyone!

We had the BEST experience hiking thanks to our guide, Curtis! 🙌 From the very beginning, he went above and beyond—reaching out the day before with helpful tips on parking and what to expect, which made everything so smooth and stress-free. During the hike, he was incredibly patient and made sure everyone was comfortable and having a great time. Curtis truly made the experience unforgettable. He knew all the best photo spots, shared so much interesting history and information about Arizona, and even took photos and put together a video of our hike for us—such a special touch! If we’re ever back, we will 100% be requesting Curtis again. Highly recommend him to anyone looking for an amazing, fun, and memorable hike! Thank you, Curtis, for making our adventure so special! 🌄✨

We had an incredible hike on Camelback with Doug, truly couldn’t have asked for a better guide. From the start, we felt completely safe in his hands. He’s extremely knowledgeable, clearly highly trained, and knows the mountain inside and out, which gave us so much confidence throughout the hike. One of the highlights was a spontaneous side adventure into a cave—such a unique and fun experience we never would have found on our own! Doug was also incredibly encouraging, keeping the energy positive and helping us push ourselves just the right amount. He made everything feel easy by coming fully prepared with water, snacks, and all the gear we needed, so we could just focus on enjoying the experience. This was our second time booking with Mad Desert Trekking, and once again, they delivered an outstanding experience. We’ve had nothing but amazing guides and seamless trips - highly recommend both Doug and the company. It truly couldn’t have been better!

Wonderful hike and amazing guide Doug! He is very experienced and has been doing this for years. I would 100% recommend him as a guide for any hikes.

I did the Cholla trail. It is a Grade 1 scramble- limited exposure, no ropes or even poles needed. Sandstone is grippy and makes the scramble very doable. What made this possible for me to do solo, was my guide Doug! Doug was patient and very supportive. His “You got this!” got through some spicy bits laughing and with a smile on my face. He had water which I definitely needed after finishing the contents of my 1l water bottle at the summit. The descent is much easier than the climb up. I had a great time! Thanks Doug- for the encouragement and the numerous photos!

Hiking Camelback Mountain with Curtis was easily one of the highlights of my trip. He was exceptional - funny, engaging, and incredibly motivating throughout the entire hike. He set a perfect pace that made the experience both enjoyable and manageable, and the thoughtful touches like bringing snacks made a big difference. Curtis was the ultimate accountability partner, keeping me encouraged every step of the way while making the whole experience feel relaxed and fun. We had such a wonderful morning, and I couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Highly recommend!

On March 14th I hiked with guide Curtis Whipple for 3 hours in the Sonoran Desert and had a great time. He knew a lot about the desert and had some great stories to share along the way - along with snacks and extra water. He kept me safe and we had a good time. I can't recommend him highly enough. I'll look him up next time we're in the area!