"Strenuous"

After hiking Peralta in the morning,
we went back to the hotel where we lounged in the pool
through the mid-day hours.
We hadn't planned on doing anything else that day,
but by 4:00 we had lost interest in the pool
and decided to go on another hike.
I picked a really easy 1/2 mile loop, but as soon as we pulled
up and saw the mountain looming over us in its full glory,
my chosen loop went out the window
for the longer hike... Camelback Mountain.
Camelback was labeled as a "strenuous" hike,
which might be the biggest understatement of all time.
It should have been called the Trail of Doom
or Death Mountain.
It started off innocently enough,
with stairs leading up at a 90 degree angle.
After a 1/4 mile, though, we came around a bend and
were met by a sheer rock face with a hand rail running up the side.
Orin, who had been walking until that point, was stuck in the
backpack where he remained (quite patiently I should add)
for the duration of the hike.
Two hours later, after climbing with hands and feet
up boulders, we reached the top just as the sun was setting.
Orin hopped out of the pack for this picture,
and then immediately got back in again for the decent,
which we were forced to do in almost complete darkness.
It took us an hour and a half to get down.
Our hands, feet, knees, and thighs were sore the next day,
but it was well worth it...
Casey and I agreed that it was one of the most beautiful hikes
we have ever been on.
If you ever find yourself in Arizona with 4 hours to spare,
a couple gallons of water, and a need for pain,
we highly recommend this hike.
Rest assured, it will change the way you feel about the word
"strenuous."