[nessanails]

I just cant get use to the heat.
How do you handle local hiking without waking up at 4 am.
Is there any place close by that has morning shade (7ish)
I know im a wimp, but I just started hiking. (my excuse, and im sticking with it)

[Daryl]

Unfortunately there in not much shade after 7am on most of the local hikes. Have you considered hiking with an umbrella? Don't laugh, it works!

There are several short hikes at Lost dutchman state park that are on the west side of superstition mountain that may have shade (jacobs crosscut, treasure loop, prospectors trail...) about an hour after sunrise, but they will still be in the sun by 7am.

It's either deal with the heat, hike in the dark, or drive to higher altititude.

[azhiker96]

Hi Vanessa,
Getting used to the heat takes time and learning to avoid it. Most folks avoid the afternoon sun. Many do not hike in the valley during the summer months. There's lots of great hiking on the rim and it's generally 20 degrees cooler with trees for shade. Take it slow, rest often, drink lots, remember snacks and electrolyte replacement. For summer hiking in the valley you have to get up early. Also protect yourself from the sun with light weight clothing and sunscreen.
Good luck and have fun!

[nessanails]

Well it sounds like Im going to have to suck it up and deal with it.
What about in the afternoon, before the sun goes down?

[AK]

Hey Vanessa,

I don't think anyone really gets used to the heat here. We just learn to bare with it. I've lived here most of my life and still cringe when it hit 105+. But you do learn to deal with it. Take it from me, my job requires me to work outside during the hotest part of the day, eveyday. Just drink LOTS of water!

Aaron

[ellehcim]

I havent used A/C yet this summer.... Not in the car, not in the house.

I used to clean and repair pools out here all year round, if you dont mind sweating then the heat is nothing. My cat's are not too happy about it though... Right now it is pegging about 90 inside.

As far as the hiking goes, a nice cowboy hat might help keep the sun off ya... Umbrella is a good idea as well. Unfortunately, 4-5 months out of the year it is just something you have to deal with here the best that you can ;]

[nessanails]

Maybe I'll get one of those hats that have a mister on it.

[tom-krznarich]

Embrace, enjoy it. Hydrate your body hours before so dehydration is not an issue. the water is better in you than on you. If fair skinned, cover up.

[pfredricks]

Most desert creatures are nocturnal for a reason though

[nessanails]

Most desert creatures are nocturnal for a reason though

I hear that!

[Nighthiker]

Nighthike. Now if I can just get you folks to pester the Maricopa County Parks folks to open the parks to nighthikers.

[Glitter]

During the hottest part of the summer I just hit the gym during the week and then head out of town on the weekend, maybe to Sedona or Fossil Springs. Flagstaff is great almost year round.

[matt gilbert]

I was born and raised here in Phx so I might have an advantage but I think, like several others, that you just have to learn to embrace it

I don't have a/c in my truck or in my house, and really I don't miss it. Not having it gives me no basis for comparison, its just hot all the time. I think the reason everyone feels so hot out here is because they spend most of there time in a 65 degree office or house and in-between they are in 65 degree cars, the only time most people out here experience the heat is when they dash from one air-conditioned place to another.

If you're going to hike in the heat just make sure you drink lots of water, start early in the morning, take brakes, and, know your own limits, don't try to push too far or too fast.

besides, its a dry heat!

[hoppy47m]

It won't be long and it will be 100 degrees no matter what time of day....or night it is.....the only way to escape is to head north!!!! Prescott, Flagstaff, Payson...are all good spots, Payson you will still need to get out of town aways to beat the heat. Flagstaff is good all the time but a pretty good drive. Prescott city limits will hit 100 but 5 minutes out of town it will be 80. Those "Pith" helmets are good, they look funny but they are actually great!! You soak them in water and they keep your noggin' cool for hours, you don't think those mail carriers wear them for a fashion item do ya?? Misters can work for awhile but they can also turn into a sauna......Me...I cheat....I always hike near water in the summer time so I can take a leap in and cool off.....yep....I'm a wimp too......

[karrowack2003]

I am heat training now. 3X a week for 120 minutes each Mon, Wed & Fri. Camelback or Squaw Peak around 1430(2:30pm). I go through about 100oz of water on the hike. Hat and sunscreen of course.
One mistake I have made was to eat to close to hike time. Give your body time after you eat or the cramps will get ya.

[joe bartels]

I enjoyed the comment on the radio this afternoon

oven mitts are great for the drive home

[mjmann]

Always wear sunscreen of course and also wear a hat and soak the hell out of it before you start...you'd be surprised how much that helps. When we did the Flume Trail a couple years back, we would stop and dip our hats on the running water of the flume and it made a big difference.

The heat is here to stay for a while...just have to work with it best we can...

Have fun!

[Sredfield]

Don't fight it, hit the rim country. Baldy, Escudilla, Blue Range, all great summer get aways. And then there are the Chiricahua's, but don't go there, that's my personal retreat, and I don't need any more crowds there.

[AK]

And don't forget the "sky island" Four Peaks.

Aaron

[Steven]

I've been trying to figure out how to deal with the heat myself. I am in training to go to Colorado in August to do a few mountains. I just did Camelback twice on Monday. The first time up was not so bad, i started at 6:00am. By the time I was heading up the second time, on the other side of the mountain it was about 7:30 and the heat was starting to kill me. I brought 2.5 liters of water and ran out. I dont have time to go to flagstaff every week, and that costs gas money. Next week I plan on starting at 5:00 am, bringing an extra bottle of ice water to dowse myself with durring the hike and only do the mountain once. Twice it to much in the heat. Then go and hit the gym afterwards. I have a few activities I plan on doing in the gym.
As this is my second year down here, I do not know how to deal with the heat.