Head for the Hills But Follow Trail Safety

During the spring and summer months, many Arizonans love to hike on our many scenic trails throughout the state. Be wise and beware before you go to maximize your enjoyment. Consider these helpful tips offered by the Southwest Region of the U. S. Forest Service:

Know your Route. Know as much as possible about the area and the trail prior to venturing out. At the very minimum, print out and bring the maps. Check with forest rangers for advice on trials, campsites and potential problems. Also check for fire restrictions and closure notices that may affect your planned route. Allow about one hour for each two miles covered, plus an additional hour for each 1,000 feet of altitude gained.

Know Your Limits. All trail users need to be aware of their physical abilities and limitations, and those of their hiking partners. Realize that when you push beyond your limits, you can start making bad decisions. If you are not a regular exerciser, check with your doctor before embarking on a challenging hike.

Check the Weather. Know the weather forecast and be prepared for changes in the weather. Extreme heat, cold, and lightening are particular threats in Arizona. 

Travel in a Group. Do not hike alone. Unless you are very experienced and prefer solitude, a party of at least four persons is recommended because you should try never to leave an injured person alone. He or she may wander off while in shock.

Tell Someone Where You’re Going. Make sure you tell someone, in writing, exactly where you are going and when you expect to be back. In the event that you are not going to be very late returning but you are OK, be sure to let that person know. Trails are often located in remote areas. Therefore, injuries can present a potentially dangerous, frustrating, and even expensive experience. In most cases, with trails outside of a municipality, the county sheriff's department will be responsible for search and rescue operations (with the exception of National Park Service units that typically conduct their own).

Bring the Right Stuff. Some essential items that are useful in challenging and/or survival situations include the following:

• One gallon of water or sports drinks
• Sunblock
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Sunglasses
• Map and compass (and the knowledge of how to use them)
• Trail guide
• Signal mirror
• Whistle
• Two-way radio or cellular phone
• Space blanket for warmth and weather protection.
• Waterproof matches or lighter
• Candle or lightweight flashlight
• Firestarters
• Nylon cord
• First aid kit
• Tube tent
• High energy food
• Instant soup or bouillon cubes
• Sierra cup
• Water purification (iodine) tablets and/or filter system. Water sources along trails are almost always polluted.
• Raingear, windgear, gloves, and warm hat for any mountain hike and any winter hike.
• Dry shirt, dry socks
• Sturdy footwear
• Pocket knife
• Toilet paper

Hiking in Arizona offers some unique hazards for which hikers must be prepared:

Snakes, Scorpions, and Spiders. Avoidance is the best policy. Avoid putting your hand in any cracks or reaching up into areas that you cannot see. Keep tents zipped and shoes on. Check shoes and sleeping bags before entering. Avoid getting too close to snakes. We refer you to other web pages for more information on these venomous creatures, such as DesertUSA's wildlife page. DesertUSA also maintains a list of poison control centers.

Bears. Although there are no grizzly bears in Arizona, black bears inhabit the higher mountain ranges, and do on occasion attack people. Adults range in weight from 125 to 400 lbs, can stand 5 feet tall on their hind legs, can run 35 mph, and can swim, and climb trees. Avoidance is the best policy. In camp, hang your food from a high limb in bear country, and avoid bringing smelly items into your tent. On the trail, make noise coming around blind corners so you won't surprise them. If you encounter a bear, stay calm and make noises to allow the bear to become aware of your presence. Never approach a cub, keep dogs leashed, and never, ever feed the bears. Stay calm, back away slowly, and if the bear is on the trail, get off the trail. Give it room to escape. Do not run or make any sudden movements. If you can safely get to a vehicle or other secure structure, it is advisable to do so. In the event that you surprise a bear and it charges you, it is best to play dead, but if it actually attacks you, fight back.

Mountain Lions. Many of these hikes are in mountain lion habitat. For information on what to do if you see one, and to learn more about them, view: Arizona Game and Fish Department's "Mountain Lions in Arizona" brochure (PDF).

Heat and Sun. The heat and sun are your worst enemies in Arizona. Therefore, it is important to drink a lot of water before you set off on hot hikes. Sunblock and hats are essential for Arizona hiking, especially at high elevations. Taking 250 mg of vitamin C can hasten acclimatization to heat. Among the various heat stress disorders are heat cramps, heat exhaustion, dehydration exhaustion, and heat stroke. The Southwestern Region of the USFS offers the following guidelines for recognizing and treating heat stress disorders:

Adapted from the Arizona State Trails Guide, 3ed., State Trails Program and Arizona State Committee on Trails, 2008.