inclinations

Camel Trail - Tuwaiq, Saudi Arabia

Photographs

Be warned, the pictures do not tell you how hot it is!

Somewhere near the bottom of the escarpment.

Somewhere near the bottom of the escarpment.

Camels waiting

Us go up there ... ... you've got to be joking. We are racing camels, you know, not pack animals!

Camel trail start

But one really needs a camel for that authentic touch. You can just make out parked cars at the start of the trail, about one-third from the top on the left.

Camel trail uphill

Some of the retaining walls can be seen here, lower right.

Usher Hoppers

Here is a mating pair of venomous Usher Hopper grasshoppers (Poekilocerus bufonius). Note the male is quite a bit smaller than his missus! Apparently this is a rare sighting of these grasshoppers.

Camel trail walkers

It's best to go with friends, they can pose for the camera, even though not as good-looking as the grasshoppers.

Camel trail landscape

In the photo, the road to Makkah can be seen as a line right to left at the bottom of the scree slopes.

Camel trail halfway

The climb just gets worse and worse ...

Camel trail halfway

and worse, but the views are superb.

Camel trail near top

Just about there now.

At last ...

Camel trail panorama

“Now guys, Makkah is away on the right somewhere.”