Originally Posted by
Franz Free-Frost
Thank you so much guys for the detailed input.
LOST: I will be there in early April. One last question: would it be feasible and safe to hike to and from Camelback mountain / Piestewa Peak from my hotel?
I would say hiking the mountain is ok as long as you do it early (meaning start right at sunrise. Both mountains take about two hours to hike round trip if you're in decent shape). April is a transition month where high temps can vary between 80F-100F and overnight lows between 60-70. As far as personal safety both Piestewa and Camelback are in safe areas and I would not have an issue walking those neighborhoods at any time of day or night.
If you're coming from a cooler or more humid climate beware that you'll need 2x-3x more water (start hydrating before you arrive). And sunscreen. Lots of sunscreen.
I think the
Phoenix Sonoran Preserve,
McDowell Mountains, and
Camelback (from Echo Canyon TH) /
Piestewa Peaks would be the best areas to get a taste of the desert and aren't too far away.