Praying Monk, Echo Canyon, Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, Arizona

Looking southeast from the Echo Canyon Trailhead ramada offers a picturesque view of the wind-carved “praying monk” landmark rock outcropping, located high up on an imposing sandstone butte overlooking the ramada. The reason the trail is deserted is because it was 2 p.m. and 102° F when I snapped this pic. But don't worry, it was a dry heat --- like a pizza oven. In the summer, hikers climb the mountain at daybreak --- 5 a.m.