Snow on the Ground

I’ve wanted to visit the Canyon since I was a child, and I took the opportunity to do it this trip. I think winter is a great time to visit, as the temperature was great and the crowds small. The snow on the ground did make driving exciting, with other drivers unused to the white stuff.

Inner space is what makes this building special. The environment was sealed off from the outside, and the habitats carefully controlled with a sophisticated HVAC system. The jungle is steamy. The desert is dry. The ocean is clammy. It is a huge machine.

Climbing the Mountain

Camelback Mountain rises in the center of the Valley of the Sun. Visible from all around the city of Phoenix, the park and trail are major attractions for visitors and locals alike. We parked on the road near the trail head and began our climb, two miles and 2700 feet..

Reaching the Top

Prepare for a long climb when you come to Camelback Mountain. We started the trail in the middle of winter wearing our ski jackets. By the time we stopped our shirts were more than sufficient against the cold. Those who try for the summit in the summer must be crazy and dehydrated. Often the path becomes a climb with foot and hand holds.