Headed to Scottsdale AZ for the first time.

I've never been to AZ and I'm going to stay at a place called "The Sanctuary on Camelback mountain", and I'm looking for adivise for places to shoot. My GF has to work the first part of the week, so I will have a lot of free time. I am definitely going to hike the Camelback mountains (Very early morning). Should I bring both 70-200 and 24-70mm when hiking camelback? (not sure how hard the trail is or if it's worth bringing both lenses since they can be heavy)

What about Sedona? Is it worth the 2 hour ride?


Thanks!

This time of year it's going to be warm even early in the morning, so stay very well hydrated when you hike Camelback. I'd recommend just taking the 24-70, but I don't know your fitness level...I'm not an avid hiker but less weight is always better, and the wide shots are going to be what you're mostly after I think. Save the weight for more water. There are a few trails you can take. Google should turn up a bunch of hits for hiking on Camelback and in other parts of Phoenix.

Sedona has some truly epic scenery so if you can spare the drive to get up there, I wholeheartedly recommend going. Lots of hiking and photography opportunities there. Try a Jeep tour, corny as they sound, they're totally worth it for a quick trip into the side canyons. If you're unaccustomed to off-roading it'll be pretty exciting. Slide rock is a popular spot as well. If you go during the week you can avoid weekend tourists.

Hope this was helpful!

I can't help much with the Phoenix area, since I usually avoid it due to it being a huge metropolis. If you go to Sedona, there are lots of red rock formations. I second the suggestion to take a Jeep tour. Also, there are many great hikes, with West Fork of Oak Creek being my favorite. Red Rock Crossing State Park at sunset is iconic, and Chapel of the Holy Cross is becoming so. There are Indian ruins, rock art and ghost towns (Jerome) near Sedona.

It's getting pretty hot in PHX now. 90 degrees at 8 a.m. Camelback is a pretty tough hike, actually. I'm in pretty good shape, and it takes me about 45 minutes to get to the top (a few stops to rest along the way). As mentioned, bring LOTS of water at this time of year. If you are into Landscape photography, Sedona is worth the trip -- plus is will be about 10 degrees cooler. Definately try to see slide rock. Good, fun photo opps there. Within Phoenix, check out the Botanical Garden -- great Macro photography opportunities. Old Town Scottsdale for the nightlife/street photography. Where you are staying, actually, is an extremely beautiful, 5-star resort. Lots on photo opps on property. Hope this helps!

I live in Scottsdale and Tempe... it's miserable right now. Go up to Sedona.

I live in this area too. Monring at the Botannical Gardens would be fine, but hiking up on Camelback. Forget it. My vote is also for Sedona, Prescott, Jerome.

My brother texted me this evening at 630 pm saying it was still 111 degrees...

It's hitting 115 during the day this time of year. I really like Phoenix, but I absolutely hate the summer here.

Thanks everyone for the advise. I'm back in Chicago and wow was it hot. We woke up a later than we should (after 730) so we only made it about half way up the mountain. it was already over 100 degrees and the time we were there it was between 108-116. Didn't make Sedona, but the resort was amazing and I got some decent shots. Going to head back for new years.

Prepare for the opposite weather then. Last year it was 29 degrees at night during New Years Day. lol.