Technical rescue crews with the Phoenix Fire Department fanned out across Camelback Mountain’s Cholla Trailhead on Tuesday afternoon as they worked to reach a patient in steep, rocky terrain, the agency said. Crews staged at the base while teams moved higher up the mountain, and authorities asked hikers to avoid the area until the extraction was finished.
Technical rescue crews are currently working on a mountain rescue at Cholla Trailhead on Camelback Mountain. https://x.com/i/status/2051757645875556446
— Phoenix Fire Dept. (@PHXFire) May 5, 2026
What Phoenix Fire posted
In a brief update on X, the Phoenix Fire Dept. said its technical rescue crews were “working on a mountain rescue at Cholla Trailhead” and noted that a public information officer was on scene. The department did not release details about the patient’s condition or the exact extraction plan and said more information would be shared when it is available.
Where crews are operating
The Cholla Trailhead is located on the east side of Camelback Mountain and is accessed from Invergordon Road. The route climbs steep, exposed rock that can make evacuations complicated. It is one of Camelback’s most heavily used and most hazardous trails, according to the City of Phoenix.
How rescues typically proceed
Phoenix technical rescue teams often build rope systems and then use a single-wheeled “big wheel” litter to guide patients along tight trail sections. They may call in helicopters when the terrain or a patient’s injuries make ground extrication unsafe, as described by ABC15. These operations can take hours and usually require multiple specialists to keep both rescuers and patients safe.
Trail safety and closures
The City of Phoenix’s Trail Heat Safety Program restricts access to Echo Canyon and Cholla trails during National Weather Service extreme heat warnings to cut down on heat-related emergencies and reduce risks to first responders, the city says. Officials urged anyone planning to hike Camelback to confirm trail status before heading out and to steer clear of Cholla until Tuesday’s rescue is complete…