Phoenix Park Rangers Continue Heat Safety Outreach, “Take a Hike: Do it Right”

Flickr Creative Commons/Andy Eick

With an excessive heat warning in effect, park rangers with the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department are continuing their “Take a Hike. Do It Right” safety outreach at two high-traffic desert preserve “trailheads” in the city.

For the past several weeks, park rangers have been stationed at the two hiking areas — Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak — to hand out ice and water, check to ensure hikers have sufficient water and share safety tips with visitors.

The city of Phoenix is reminding hikers to Take a Hike. Do It Right by following essential desert hiking safety precautions: 

• Watch the Weather: Yes, “it’s a dry heat” – but Arizona’s temperature can be deceiving and deadly. “Wait for the shade” by hiking in early morning and evening when there’s more shade and less threat from direct sun. Temperatures in full sun can be 15 or more degrees higher than the official shade temperature. 
   
• Stay on Established Trails: Enjoy the Sonoran Desert’s beautiful and undeveloped landscape, but please stay on designated trails. If you leave the trail and need help, rescuers may lose valuable time locating you; staying on established trails ensures hikers in need can get help quickly. 
   
• Dress Appropriately: Wear proper shoes, clothing, hat and sunscreen.
   
• Bring Water:  Hydrate before you go.  Have plenty of water, more than you think you need.
   
• Keep in Contact: Carry a mobile phone. 
   
• Team Up: Hike with others. If hiking solo, tell someone your start and end times, and location.
   
• Be Honest: Do you have a medical condition? Asthma, heart problems, diabetes, knee or back problems? Don’t push yourself!  (Even trained athletes have been caught off guard by getting dehydrated on Arizona trails.)
   
• Take Responsibility: Don’t be “that person” – the one who wasn’t prepared, shouldn’t have been there for health reasons or ignored safety guidelines. Be the responsible hiker, who takes a hike and does it right!

 Additional safety and hiking information is available online at phoenix.gov/parks.