Camelback at Sunrise

Photo by Susan Pollack

Camelback Mountain rises over Scottsdale with its purple majesty.  The sunrise glow colors the mountain pink, lavender, orange and red, depending on atmospheric conditions.  Camelback Mountain was set aside as an Indian Reservation by the federal government in the 1800's.  However, by the 1940's, most of the mountain was privately owned.  Early efforts to stop the building in the early sixties was ineffective, until Barry Goldwater got involved in 1965, helping to set the building limit at the 1600 foot elevation.  The remaining 1,100 feet should remain pristine, except for hiking trails.  President LBJ and Secretary of Interior Stewart Udall attended a land exchange ceremony in 1968.  Preservation efforts still exist, with groups trying to maintain the mountains and deserts that bring natural beauty to the Valley of the Sun.