Wanted: Hot Weather Hike Suggestions

Kelli Pearl · Post by **Kelli Pearl** » Apr 05 2002 8:26 pm

Being kinda new, mostly hiking the beautiful Superstitions, I need ideas on hikes that won't disappoint me when the weather heats up. Can anyone recommend trails in the high country that aren't terribly far drive from the Phoenix area? Also, how hot does it have to get before it becomes insane to be out there?

Cakewalk · Post by **Cakewalk** » Apr 05 2002 8:59 pm

Hi Kelli....

Welcome!

I cant answer your high country questions, but i will address the heat:

I like it, I crave it... But I do know my limit. Thats the key. When its 105 degrees out, I go on short hikes, I take enough water. I live on the north-west side, so I usually stay local. My limit is about an hour in the severe heat.

You can enjoy the sport in the heat, but remember to play it safe and let people know where you are going.

evenstarx3 · Post by **evenstarx3** » Apr 05 2002 9:45 pm

Kelli, check out the hikes in the Sedona area. One of the first hikes on my list is Boynton Canyon; and just bought a jeep so I can do places like Secret Canyon. Like you, I don't want to quit hiking just because it's summer. I'll hike the valley hikes during the heat, but start out very, very early. (Hell, my dogs don't let me sleep past five a.m. so might as well get up and get going.) GTG, Fritzski and I are considering doing Roger's Canyon sometime this month. If it comes about, one of us will post a note in 'Hiking Partners.'

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Apr 05 2002 9:54 pm

Hi Kelli - I concur with Evenstarx. I teach, which means I have summer off. So May 25th till August 15th (approx) is my prime hiking time. You just need to be smart in the heat. Water, which is always a concern, is even moreso of one. For example...during the winter I can carry my 128oz water bladder up and down Siphon Draw and not use but half of it...when I do the same hike in June, I usually drain it with a 1/4 mile to go...I tend to hike early, but I have been known to do all day hikes in the sups, you just need to dress appropriately and know when to take a shade break, oh, and sunscreen is key.

It's never too hot to hike for me.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Apr 05 2002 10:43 pm

Wow, I'm suprised by some of the answers. I thought I was the only year 'round hiker.

The heat is dangerous but it's extremely soothing too. A cloudy day in the summer out of the humid monsoon season is rare, but a real gift for local hikers. Most of the locals just hit Squaw or Camelback at sunbreak. You'll even see a fair amount out until 9am. But if you hit Camelback around 1pm in July you'll likely only see myself or the tri-athletes. It's easy to tell the difference... I'm the one not running...lol

Probably the coolest phenomenon is too hit Squaw or Camelback during a monsoon.(usually 4:30 to 5:30) Yes I know this is an idiotic safety decision. Just don't tear up the trail. The clouds fly right through you. On Squaw the trail turns into a river. Camelback flaunts some eye pleasing waterfalls.

My two cents for the question at hand...........

If you wanna chance to shiver in the summer... do Humphreys Peak
It's an all day affair out & back from the valley.

The White Mountains would be a great escape... but just a little too far for a day trip.

Apsen/Marshall atop the Catalinas in Tucson is pure heaven. Seems like there has been lots of road constuction in the foothills so it's best to loop down through the city.

------------
Evenstarx3 - Secret Canyon is accessible to cars(during dry conditions) unless you're planning on taking the back roads around back. Which I only wish I had time to do!!! Man that's a great place!

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Apr 05 2002 11:43 pm

Some good stuff here! I'm another summer hiker. When I was in living in Tempe a few years ago, I would ride my bike a couple of miles to the 48th St (Pima Canyon) end of South Mtn Park, then hike up past Marcos de Niza rock, and across the ridgeline. I usually dropped down somewhere in Hidden Valley and looped back to my waiting bike. One scorching hot July day a couple of years ago, a friend of mine & I hiked along the ridgeline, dropped down, eventually all the way over to Telegraph Pass, and down the main park road a mile or so to meet up with his wife, who drove up to meet us. We started pretty early, but by the time we finished, it was triple digits!! I've also done Camelback, Usery Pass, Picacho, Peralta, and more, in the summer months. If you go early enough, and follow all the tips everyone has already mentioned, summer hiking isn't that bad at all.

Now, let's not forget the Rim Country. It's not that far to places like See Canyon, Horton Creek, or places on top like the Cabin Loop trails, such as the Houston Brothers. All great hikes.

BTW, if you're able, go with Hoolie & the Gang (sounds like a 70's band, hmmm) to Rogers Canyon. It's a great hike, but don't stop at the ruins, Angel Basin, is a great spot, too! I'm keeping my eye out for news on that one, too!

BoyNhisDog · Post by **BoyNhisDog** » Apr 06 2002 7:32 am

I don't hike in really hot weather. My limit is 120 degrees and after that I think that it is hot. 120 degrees and lower are cool enough for me.

My 120 degree hike was in Laughlin a few years back. I was stuck there with an alternator problem and don't do casinos. I went out into the desert and amazingly, I was the only one out there.

I am going to reiterate a few things that have already been brought up because they are so important. Water, water and more water. Just bring it. Drink it. Protective clothing: Long sleeves, light colored fabric and lots of sunscreen. Acclimate slowly. Don't go out on the first hot day and try to set a record.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Apr 06 2002 7:45 am

Oh that reminds me...

Did anybody hike the 122 of... 1991(I think that was it?)

Anyhow, I distinctively remember where I was

Mountain biked South Mountain to the radio towers.
Whew, thought I was gonna die & probably nearly did!

I have a photo somewhere if I can find it.

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Apr 07 2002 1:10 am

Joe, you'll appreciate this one...my 1st summer here two years ago, I spent a day riding at McDowell Park, aside from Pemberton there are 3 loop rides, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about...so...being a 1st timer, I do the shortest 'fast loop' first...it was getting pretty hot, as it was around 1pm...I then do the technical loop (walking a few sections)...and then finish the day with the long loop, I think it is about 8 miles...it took a while and I managed to pull an endo, but only skinned an elbow...I return to the truck and head into Fountain hills for a big gulp for the ride home and hear on the radio that it was the warmest day so far that summer...something like 115...dam, it was hot.

Nighthiker · Post by **Nighthiker** » Apr 07 2002 2:09 pm

Get up early and hit the trailheads just before sunrise or night hike (am in the summer, it is cooler) and limit you hikes to several miles. For summer time hikes, try the north side of the Pinal's (located south of Globe) offers some hiking trails, The area east of Payson, Horton Creek, Tonto Creek, the area above the rim north east of Payson, General Springs Cabin, Pinchot Cabin and Buck Springs Cabin have trails linking them (not well marked), the area around Sedona (already mentioned in this link) would provide good opportunities for summer time hikes.

Lizard · Post by **Lizard** » Apr 07 2002 10:55 pm

I agree with everyone on the Rim country trails. Any of the trails that connect to the Highline are great. With a little bit more driving, you can head out east to the Mt. Baldy or Escudilla Wildernesses, or the Blue Range Primitive Area. The higher areas of the sky island mountains in Southern AZ make for good summer hiking. Check out the Aspen loop and the Wilderness of Rocks in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness and the Crest Trails in the Chiricahuas and Huachucas. The higher mountains around Flagstaff are nice as well. The Kachina Peaks and Kendrick Mountain Wildernesses are both well suited to summer hiking.

For something completely different, consider doing a trip that takes you within a canyon. The necessity of swimming on some of these trips means that they are summer-only ventures. Wet Beaver, Tonto, Cibique, and Arivapia creeks are all great destinations in hot weather. (forgive my spelling in that last sentence) For the adventure of a lifetime, try heading into the Paria Canyon/Buckskin Gulch area.

Chris

Kelli Pearl · Post by **Kelli Pearl** » Apr 07 2002 11:39 pm

Wow! Thanks for all the GREAT responses!!! Keep em coming! And hey, I even got a new nickname!

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Apr 08 2002 9:08 am

Add Salome to the list of great canyon hike/swims...

Fritzski · Post by **Fritzski** » Apr 09 2002 7:47 pm

Hi Kelli,

If you're already a Superstition hiker (which is the best kind by me!!;), then my formula has been - at the first heat up move from the western Supes up to the eastern end out of Woodbury, Rogers Trough, Miles, Haunted, Reavis, and Campaign. This will put you up between @3 to 5000+' elevation. When it gets up around a 100F in the valley I move up to the Mazatzals south of Payson out of Barnhardt, Deer Creek, Four Peaks to name a few. Up there you pick up at least another 1000' in elevation on average.

MaryPhyl · Post by **MaryPhyl** » May 11 2002 8:54 am

Walk in Beauty in Navajo: Shikekeh hozhoogo naasha. The shi in the first word means I. The second word means something like in the direction of beauty and the last word translates to I walk around. There should be a bunch of phonetic marks on several of the vowels but I can't make them.

Walk in Beauty with the Navajo and English is what we have on the coffee cups we sell at our grocery store in Cameron and I copied that off of my cup. Mary :P

jhende2 · Post by **jhende2** » May 12 2002 3:02 am

Kelli, whereas the summer heat can sometimes seem to be a problem (especially if you hate to get up early like me) I think you should give night hiking a try. When it gets hot, desert creatures tend towards the nocturnal. The sound of the coyotes howling on a moonlit desert night is positively mesmerizing! Of course, one should take care for snakes as they and their fellow creepy brethren are also on the move, so beware! Anyway, find a friend and one of your favorite Superstition hikes, one with a well-marked trail, and give it a try. There is something positively mystical about it!

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » May 12 2002 9:44 am

jhende2 - Welcome to HAZ!

I bet Nighthiker will second that statement!
(on second look, he already did!!!)

Personally, I've only given it a try once. Attempted the Spanish Hiero juant. Didn't even make it to Parker Pass. It was unbelievably DARK. Probably low to mid nineties. I think we started at about ten thirty. We went on the hottest, darkest night we could find last August. Seriously, on purpose. I really wanted to see the flip side. Did the same thing at West Fork in Dec-Jan years ago, just to see what the REAL off season is like. Anyhow, we got spooked by a close encounter with a rattler. It wasn't real smart being out there two days after a monsoon rain in the pitch dark...lol

I look forward to some good opportunities this summer. Should be a good seven day span around the full moons. Three days before and after each.

chihiggs · Post by **chihiggs** » May 12 2002 10:35 am

All this talk about moons got me to thinkin'.....yeah, watch out for the smoke

Anyone know where to find a lunar cycle chart on line?

Thanx--Higgs

mlgtrust · Post by **mlgtrust** » May 13 2002 9:37 am

I just hiked the west clear creek wilderness near Camp Verde, AZ. The hike was sponsored and well-planned by Arizona Highways Magazine.

It was mostly rough and rocky, but classed as moderate.

There are four creek crossings each way for a total of 8. There are spots for swimming. There is a waterfall near the top, but few make it that far; a natural slide near the bottom. Your feet are going to get wet, and the water is clear and refreshing; rocks slippery. Need a change of socks and extra pair of boots or shoes. Wear a bathing suit underneath and a walking stick helps in the water crossings.

Remember...have fun.

Wanted: Hot Weather Hike Suggestions

Wanted: Hot Weather Hike Suggestions

Great topic Kelli!

Moon cycle talk

Cool off in hot weather