The sometimes-controversial Camelback Christmas tree is back on the mountain, although organizers are taking extreme measures to keep it safe.
In past years, some people have tried to prevent the tree from being placed at the top. The issue was brought up before the Phoenix Parks Board, which did not grant an exception to its policies and allow the tree the go up.
But the tree has kept coming—"mysteriously," if you ask "Camelback Santa," who prefers to keep his name a secret.
"Last year, unfortunately, someone threw it off the top in the middle of the night," Camelback Santa said. "The year before, they cut the tree in half."
So instead of having a tree that may not make it through the night, Camelback Santa and his "elves" are bringing the tree up the mountain every morning and bringing it down every night.
"It's only between a six- or seven-foot tree, so it's not all that heavy," Camelback Santa said.
But so far, Camelback Santa said, people are abiding by his rules when it comes to the tree: birdseed ornaments, no trash or glass, and leave no trace on the trail when you leave.
And, surprisingly, he said there have been no complaints either ... yet.
"You can't please all the people all the time," he said. "I'm here to put people in the Christmas spirit as best I can."