Echo Canyon Trail at Camelback Mountain remains closed due to unstable boulders

PHOENIX — Phoenix officials said Monday that the mid-October closure of Camelback Mountain’s Echo Canyon Trail will remain in place because of unstable boulders discovered after recent storms.

Geotechnical and civil engineers who conducted the original erosion investigation have finalized a plan to stabilize the slope and remove three loose boulders.

Work began Monday. Crews will restore the site to its natural state and drill multiple holes into each boulder to inject non-explosive expanding grout, allowing the boulders to be split safely for removal.

City officials said the plan prioritizes public safety and will be carried out in a way that is as efficient and minimally invasive as possible.

While Echo Canyon Trail is closed, the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is installing additional trailhead improvements alongside the safety work:

• Restroom renovations.
• Parking lot maintenance.

Doing this work concurrently will prevent additional closures and ensure the Echo Canyon Trail is ready to reopen as swiftly as possible, officials said.

There is no scheduled date for the end of the Echo Canyon Trail closure. In the meantime, Arizonans are encouraged to hike at other Phoenix trails, including Piestewa Peak, North Mountain, Dreamy Draw and the South Mountain Park and Preserve.

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