Phoenix Fire Department technical rescue crews were called out to Camelback Mountain’s Cholla Trailhead on Saturday afternoon for a mountain rescue, the agency said. Specialized rescue teams were seen staging near the trailhead as firefighters moved into the steep terrain. The department’s initial update did not include details about injuries or whether anyone had been transported.
Technical rescue crews are currently working a mountain rescue at cholla trailhead.
— Phoenix Fire Dept. (@PHXFire) February 7, 2026
In a brief post on X, the Phoenix Fire Department said that “technical rescue crews are currently working a mountain rescue at Cholla Trailhead.” The message did not say how many people were involved or describe the nature of any injuries, and officials have not released additional details.
Where it happened
The Cholla Trailhead sits on the eastern flank of Camelback Mountain at 5150 N. Invergordon Road, according to the City of Phoenix. The trail is rated “Extremely Difficult” and is exposed with limited shade and parking, conditions that can complicate rescues and make quick exits tough once hikers are committed to the climb.
How crews operate
Phoenix’s technical rescue teams often rely on specialized gear such as the single-wheeled “big wheel” stretcher and helicopter shorthaul evacuations, depending on terrain and the patient’s condition, local coverage has shown. In previous Camelback incidents, AZ Family documented crews using a “big wheel” device to escort an overheated hiker down the trail, and KJZZ notes the department handles more than 200 rescues a year across city preserves.
Trail closures and safety
Under the city’s Trail Heat Safety Program, Camelback’s Echo and Cholla trails are closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on days when the National Weather Service issues an Extreme Heat Warning, the City of Phoenix says. The program has helped reduce heat-related rescues and reminds hikers to start early, carry extra water and tell someone their route before attempting steep, exposed climbs…