HikeArizona.COM

Im new to hiking, and because of my schedule (bartender) I want to go during the late morning, but summer is here and I was wondering if there are any trails in the phx. area that have any shade(trees, ect..). :

Hi Vanessa,
You have it all wrong ... you are supposed to hike in the morning ... and go to the lake in the afternoon
My only suggestion is to bite the sleep bullet, get up early, hike, then take a late morning/early afternoon nap That is the only way you will be able to get the hike in.
The more you hike, you will get used to the heat, but I would suggest you get a hydration pack, at least 70 to 100 oz, and fill it with ice and water. That will make a summer hiker happy

Kenny

Got the water thing down. I have two camelbacks, m.u.l.e. and the fanny pack.
I guess I just started at the wrong time of year.

I have been hiking out here all my life and even I'm not used to the heat of midday in july yet. Early in the morning or later in the afternoon/evening are about the only time to go hiking.
If you are willing to make the drive up north or east then there are plenty of shaded options. You could try the mogollon rim area or around globe. But those will both be an hours drive (at least) both ways.

Good luck and happy hiking

Hey Nessa,
Like Kenny said hiking in the morning is really the best option when the weather gets warm. If your like me and stay up til 2 or 3am, a couple hours sleep just has to do. I have found that Four Peaks is a great summer alternative. And its pretty close.

AK

I've done a lot of summer hiking. As everyone else has said, you get used to it. Start with short hikes to learn how much water you'll need and get your body used to it before you try to tackle something bigger.
Check out http://www.sonoransar.org and read the desert survival stuff on heat related illness. Heat stroke can kill you in just a few hours, but is very easy to prevent.
Also, if you are hiking alone, let someone know where you are going and when you'll be back and make sure you know where you are going (don't get lost). Getting lost, even for a few hours, can be fatal in the summer.

Good Luck!

How do you get to 4 peaks from scottsdale (south), and how long does it take to get there?
Thank all of you for the tips. I love this site, everyone seems so nice and helpful. Every time I visit it I want to get out there and hike. It has kept me motivated.

Hi Nails
Well, 4 Peaks would be about 2 hr drive to the parking area from Scottsdale, you can do it in a regular car, but higher ground clearance vehicle is better, just in case. It is a nice drive up to the top and you can take a cooler for lunch if you want. You head up the B line highway to mile post 211 (4 Peaks turnoff) it is 18 miles of dirt road from there (2hrs & 20 mins on a mtn bike)but that is another story. That is a great drive, just to see all the flowers and trees going from desert up to the pine trees at the top.
I intend to hike up there within the next month and a half, with your training schedule you might be ready for Browns Peak (read hike summaries for info).

See ya

K

Hi There
If you are new to hiking, then you may not be ready for this oncoming blasted heat. If you are looking to travel within a 2 hour drive then you may consider the Prescott area for hiking, the temps are a heck of a lot cooler and there are wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy less snakes!!!! I hate snakes.....well I don't hate them, I just don't like going vertical when a rattler sounds off.......

I dont mind snakes too much. I almost leaned on one. you can see that pict. in my cholla photoset.

wow......that's a nice looking king snake!! I don't mind snakes either really, I can jump pretty high when it comes to rattlers. I once had a bull snake which I put on top of my pack, sure got some funny looks from the hikers I passed, returned it to the same spot which I found it, made a pretty good rider actually......

Is that what kind of snake that was? Is it harmless?

Yes....it is a king snake.........there is a rhyme you should be familiar with.........
Red Next to black is a friend of Jack...........King Snake
Red next to yellow will kill a fellow.................coral snake......
this refers to the banding colors on the snake.....coral snakes are extremely deadly....they are also usually a lot smaller.

Oh....sorry........yes it is harmless

thanks, I'll rember that. I just bought a snake bite kit, just incase.

You are not supposed to "cut" and withdraw the venom anymore.........you can use the suction cup part of it, no tourniquet either. They say stay calm, yea right......I always carry one of those cold packs, the kind where it is 2 parts and you squeeze it to break the sections and they combine, those are wonderful for all kinds of small mishaps......hopefully nobody will have to use it on a snake bite tho!!!!

Four Peaks is my favorite. Its close to home, lots of tall cool pines and has some fairly easy trails. Check out the amethyst mine via browns trail. I've done this easy day hike and have found alot of low grade amethyst just below the mine where the trail ends. Like Kenny, I'm also hoping to tackle Brown's Peak soon. Hmm... Do I hear a group hike here?

AK

Hi AK
Are there some good camping places there? How about dogs? (beagle and a mini dachsund, both major hikers)

A group hike sounds fun, but Im not sure a beginer like me can keep up with you ole' timers.

There are a few existing spots along browns trail to camp Hoppy. I've seen dogs up there before. shouldn't be a problem.