This sunset photo cost $118

A hundred bucks, and it certainly didn’t go to the photographer!

I overstayed my welcome at Camelback Mountain, and for the first time ever got fined.

I figure, I’ve hiked Camelback more than a thousand times over the years (literally, I’ve counted), so $118 is a small price to pay for the joy and mental stability it provides me :)

If you pull into Camelback around 90 minutes before sunset, you’ll be greeted by a friendly Phoenix City Parks Ranger, who informs you: the parking lot closes at sunset.

There are signs posted at the trailhead, warning of tickets.

Especially with clouds in the sky, Arizona sunsets from Camelback are just amazing. They’re irresistible for photographers, who don’t want to let a moment of the reds, oranges, and purples go to waste.

Several nights, I’ve been up there past closing time, and it finally caught up with me.

We were about 10 minutes after the “official” sunset, and heading down. We could see from the first overlook (before the steps and railing) the ranger drive his truck up to my car, pause for a minute, and leave a ticket.

I thought it might be a warning?  Nope.  But after many verbal warnings, it was my time.  

Again, the $118 is worth it, for all of those sunset hikes over the years. 

They only started enforcing the “closed at sunset” rule in recent years. We used to do sunset hikes all the time. The influx of tourists and nighttime rescues undoubtedly put an end to them.

I do understand the reasoning, safety issues, and risk of having to send search crews of firefighters up looking for lost hikers.   

That being said, here are a few ways to get great hiking sunset photos.

You can ride your bike in and park it at Camelback, and ride out after sunset.

You can take a rideshare.

Piestewa Peak’s main lots close at sunset, too, but the first lot remains open (before the gate). Plus, there are parking spots in the dirt along the road in.  You’ll routinely see night hikers with headlamps up on the trails at Piestewa Peak. That’s probably the easiest option.

If you’re an early riser, you could always try for sun*rise.* During certain times of the year, you’ll have a line of cars waiting for the ranger to open up the gates to the lot before sunrise.

I can’t let a block about sunset hikes go without posting my favorite (below), courtesy of Matt Ehnes!