A group of homeowners who reside around Camelback Mountain’s Cholla Trail are hoping for a change. The hope is that some of the trail, and the trailhead itself, can be moved to another area in Phoenix, possibly even underground. Many believe this change will halt the issues of traffic and an excess of hikers in the vicinity.

Town councilman, Sal DiCiccio, recently held a town hall meeting a month ago, telling local residents that the trail could be moved, but, for now, the Phoenix New Times reported that the Phoenician, the resort that owns the trail, does not want to budge. 

Paul Gilbert, the attorney for the Phoenician, spoke to the claims of moving the trail: “Sal asked the Phoenician if they would be willing to do that. We had never agreed to it, and we didn’t offer.”

With the Phoenician recently purchased for $400 million, some wonder why the resort can’t fork out some of the money they have to help the community and its citizens, but this is a two-way battle with people on both sides.

Still, others don’t think that the Phoenician and its attorney are not being honest about what was said. Paul Berggreen, a local resident near the Phoenician, stated at the meeting it was discussed that the Phoenician was willing to move the trail, to clear up traffic in the area. Furthermore, the new trail would be created over an old golf course that the resort owns.

Time will tell what the state of Arizona will do to fix this problem. Will the city side with the wealthy residents who live on Cholla Lane, or will they agree with the people who love nature and come out to see the beauty of creation near Camelback Mountain?

While many believe that an immediate move of the trail could be a positive for the area, DiCiccio says that this process could take at least a year, even two, but many want the trail moved now. Stay tuned.