Arizona Summer Hiking

[PuraVidaMae]

I have become an avid hiker. Thanks to hiking I lost 75 pounds last winter. Im really worried about this summer though. Last summer when the heat came I was forced to stop hiking because it just got too hot and hikes became miserable and it was only like 95. I normally hike after work 2x per week from about 5:15 to 6:30 or so and also go for a longer hike on Saturday Mornings... I work from 7-4 so it would be hard for me to hike at sunrise and still have enougfh time to get ready for work.... I just wanted to pick your brains and see how you all handle the summers here and adjust your hiking routines... I know I can always get out of town on a Saturday and head North but I cant do that too often.

Thanks Fellow Hikers !

[rally_toad]

I hike in the desert during the summer constantly. The crowds are alot less, here's the deal, wake up early and hike then be back before 10, or go night hiking. Freeze water bottles, they will melt fast and keep cold during the hike. Summer is when I have time off, so I usually go on more hikes during that time, but you just have to take extra caution when the high is going to be 110 instead of 70 like in the winter. Basically use common sense, dont hike during the heat of the day, take advantage of the shade you find, take plenty of water.

[JoelHazelton]

Yeah, happened to me last summer. I lost 40 pounds hiking last winter and spring, then summer came and I got lazy, only being able to hike once a week. Then since I wasn't hiking that often my diet slipped and I gained a bunch of weight back.

I think a good way to do it is figure out which trails will be shaded in the evening and hike those. Or, just hike at night. I did that last spring when it started to warm up. I'd hike Shaw Butte in the dark. It'll just suck for a while as your body gets acclimated to hiking in the heat, but you'll eventually get used to it.

[te_wa]

seems like studies show a pre-workday workout makes you sharper for things like "work".
in the summer we get a sunrise at 4:45 am so i think its totally possible to get in some exercise... but where? you seem close to S. Mountain so is it easy to drive up, hit the National Trail and then get back down in time?
otherwise, and i dont know how far you live from work, but could you ride a bike? (riding a road bike up that hill to the top of S. Mountain looks like it would burn about 3000 calories..and kill me in the process)

[chumley]

First of all, congratulations on your weight loss! It must feel like a great accomplishment.

After a quick glance at your profile, I would recommend to work more on weightlifting and yoga in the hotter months unless the weather is comfortable for you. I'm guessing that you'll be a little bit more tolerant to the heat this year however, since you are probably in better shape than last summer.

I empathize with your general feeling however, as I don't care for hiking in the heat nearly as much as I do in cold. (In fact, I prefer hat and gloves cold, maybe even snowy cold, but that's another topic). With that said, there's something really special about cool summer mornings in the desert, especially pre-monsoon humidity. In June especially, you can get up before daybreak, and be on a trail just as dawn breaks. The sun rises around 5:20 then, so there's usually enough light to get started hiking by 5:00a. Depending on where you work and/or hike, that could be enough time to get that 1:15 of hiking you're used to doing after work right now.

And while its not my thing so much, there's always swimming as a healthy alternative that's not as rough in the heat. I also enjoy rowing/sculling and kayaking, but Tempe Town Lake is miserably hot for either except around dawn, so that still probably involves a trip somewhere makes weekdays impractical. (Though there are clubs based there you can join to gain access to the equipment if you'd like to try it out.) Rowing might be the single best complete body workout there is, right up there with XC skiing. You work muscles you never knew you had!

Mostly though, I just head north for hiking. Good luck, let us know how you do!

[Jeffshadows]

Start early, rest often, and make sure you are not just adequately re-hydrating but also replacing electrolytes, especially salt. Salty snacks along the trail help with this. Hiking in the heat is its own kind of rewarding...

[PuraVidaMae]

Thank you all so much for the info/advice. I think I will attempt to hike in the morning. I never realised the sun was up at 4:45 am during the summer (Partly cuz Im reallllllly not a morning person - but in the interest of my health and hiking - I can become one LOL) If I was able to do an hour hike in the morning - I should be home in time to get ready for work. Im also gonna try to find shady trails and hike after dark maybe (But I would want a hiking partner thats hiked at night before for that)

Thanks again Everyone !!!

[JoelHazelton]

As far as hiking at night in South Mountain, I know first hand that it is chock full of rattlesnakes. I hiked the mormon trail in the evening after a good monsoon rain last summer and encountered three of 'em in less than a mile stretch

I liked to hike Shaw Butte and Norht Mountain at night because they're both roads up to the top. I don't need a headlamp/flashlight on either and don't have to worry about snakes lunging out of the bushes to get me.

[rally_toad]

Yes, it is true that night hiking is when you are most likely to see Rattlers at least during the summer, but doesnt bother me too much I enjoy seeing them. I prefer to have a hiking partner when night hiking, otherwise I tend to freak myself out and imagine things.

[JoelHazelton]

In response to rally_toad: I like seeing rattlers during the day... The idea of hearing a rattle when it's dark and not knowing where it's coming from... that kinda freaks me out.

[dysfunction]

In response to azpride:
Most of the time I've encountered them, I've never seen them.. just heard them. I seem to run into them in grassland 90% of the time

[Al_HikesAZ]

Freeze water bottles, they will melt fast and keep cold during the hike.

Don't freeze a 100OZ Camelback bladder solid. It doesn't thaw out as fast as you need the water. I learned this the hard way. Put in ice cubes and then fill with cold water.

Basically use common sense, dont hike during the heat of the day, take advantage of the shade you find, take plenty of water.

Great advice. And you can carry your own shade. Some of us do. buy a lightweight umbrella. look at the Golite one.

[te_wa]

the sun wont rise at 4:45, but dang close. Its closer to 5:15 but there is usable light earlier, and you'd be amazed at how well the eye adjusts to dim/dark conditions.

btw, the umbrella idea is a winner. Golite, Mont-Bell, BirdiePal and even the cheapy from the Walmart Auto section are good bets.

[chumley]

Don't freeze a 100OZ Camelback bladder solid. It doesn't thaw out as fast as you need the water. I learned this the hard way. Put in ice cubes and then fill with cold water.

I usually fill the bladder about half full and freeze it overnight. Fill it the rest of the way when I head out. One "big ice cube" lasts a lot longer than a bunch of little ones, and it still melts so you can drink it.

[Al_HikesAZ]

There is a lot of hard earned wisdom here but I did not see a "Hot Weather Hiking" article yet.
Know about electrolytes and hyponatremia. If you don't know the signs of heat exhaustion - learn them. If you haven't read Cody Lundin's book "98.6 degrees - The Art of Keeping your pumpkin Alive" read it. Heat stress severely impacts your mental abilities. If you go from feeling hot to a slight chill and goosebumps - you are in severe heat stress and maybe in heat exhaustion. Not good - one step from Heat stroke and two steps from death. Find shade, evaluate your situation - especially your water. If you have extra water, use it on a bandana on your head for cooling your brain so that you can start thinking straight.

"An ounce of sweat lost, is an ounce of sweat wasted" Cody Lundin