I have been up there 6 times. it is a great hike and not too long. It is rated extremely difficult but as long as you are doing it in cooler weather it is not that hard. I live in Minnesota, it's about 1000 feet ASL here in the Twin Cities area which is about the same as Phoenix, the top of Piestewa is 2612 feet ASL. I've done a lot of hiking in AZ and never really experienced any problems with the elevation. I've done both routes up Camelback, that's a great hike also. The most challenging and rewarding hike I have ever done in the Phoenix area is Flatiron, it is more difficult but the views are worth it, I highly recommend it, just bring gloves and plenty of water.
I have been up there 6 times. it is a great hike and not too long. It is rated extremely difficult but as long as you are doing it in cooler weather it is not that hard. I live in Minnesota, it's about 1000 feet ASL here in the Twin Cities area which is about the same as Phoenix, the top of Piestewa is 2612 feet ASL. I've done a lot of hiking in AZ and never really experienced any problems with the elevation. I've done both routes up Camelback, that's a great hike also. The most challenging and rewarding hike I have ever done in the Phoenix area is Flatiron, it is more difficult but the views are worth it, I highly recommend it, just bring gloves and plenty of water.