ARIZONA TRAIL: RULES OF THE ROAD FROM THE GET-GO

An Arizona trail gets hot fast. That’s news for those who don’t get outside often enough.

A heat warning is what you need if you never open a window.

It’s Arizona after all, a place famous for the heat, the sort of heat that will take you down and choke you out.

Which explains the overdone safety signs at trailheads.

“Turn around before 1/2 your water is gone,” is great advice. Especially on a loop trail. How many times have you heard, “We’re halfway there?”

Even better advice? BRING WATER. Drink up before starting, and bring a full bottle at the beginning.

I’m not very water conscious, which can be a problem.

Why turn a recreational event into an emergency event. Arizona trails are an emergency waiting to happen, especially one the goes over a mountain top.

Hiking Reminders

I met a guy who hits the same trail several times a week.

“No water for you?”

“This is my training trail. I time myself every hike up and back.”

“Without water?”

“I know. All of the signs say bring water, but I live here. I’m used to the heat.”

This was a man in his forties, or late thirties, if I had to guess. He was a trail boss from the sound of things.

Out of towners need water. Old folks with their heads on straight need water. So do young people. He was in the window of no water.

Healthy and strong and confident were his calling cards. It’s a condition worthy of celebration. We all want that. Not everyone has it.

Be more cautious than he was. Be smart and stick around.

Arizona Trail Reminders

Hiking an Arizona trail isn’t a death march, so don’t turn it into one.

If you read the reminders at the trailhead it might sound a little naggy. Maps? Clothing? Food? Water? Tell someone where you’re going?

The reason it was the Lewis and Clark Expedition and not Lewis OR Clark, is because hiking with a buddy is always a better idea.

Sure, tell someone where you’re going. Will they be able to find you? Or remember you told them so they can call for rescue when you don’t return?

Who is this someone you’ll tell? Your mom, wife, husband, friend? Why not take them with you? Imagine how they’d feel if you didn’t make it back. How would you feel as the trusted confidant who forgot?

Tell Someone You Trust

Safety is the key issue here, along with a little discovery.

The discovery parts won’t matter much if you can’t tell anyone about it.

Don’t do this: Park the car and walk a trail in sandals with no water and no idea of where you are.

You may survive, but only if you follow this one rule: Don’t go far.

Sure, check it out so you can come back with better shoes and supplies. Just don’t get trail fever after talking to a local who uses it for training. Don’t get all fired up and head for the top because it’s only a half hour away. That’s on his clock, not yours.

If you collapse and die on a trail, it may be closed down. Think of others ready for adventure but can’t go because of you. Stop before it’s too late. This isn’t ‘Show Off Time.’

Pick An Arizona Trail

I know it’s hard to read. And don’t bother enlarging the image. It’s still blurry.

The image shows many trails and how they link to others.

None of them are named Rattlesnake Trail, but there are as many snakes as trails.

If you like snakes, you’ll love desert trails. There’s a creepy crawler around every corner. Arizona is snake central.

I met a young mother on the trail and asked her about snakes.

“We hear about therm, but I’ve only seen one or two.”

I also asked her about leaving my car unlocked in the parking lot.

“This is a very safe place.”

This twenty-something with a baby in her arms was out on a trail to help clear her mind. She looked like an Arizona angel, totally unexpected and reassuring.

But I still went back to check my car, keeping my snake eye on high alert.

Just do the right thing: Put on a pair of boots, add a set of snake gaiters, and head out.

Tell someone where you’re going, when you’ll be back. Take water and food and shelter.

Sound fun? It will be with proper preparation to prevent piss poor performance.