SAFETY FIRST
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Although Arizona is home to more rattlesnakes than any other state, snakes are not the only thing you should learn about when you travel to, vacation or live in the desert. Our specific part of the desert, the foothills of the Superstition Mountains, is also home to a few other deadly things you could easily encounter while out on a hike. Looks can be deceiving. Camelback, Piestewa, Flat Iron, may not be the "hardest" hikes or the "tallest" of the mountains you could climb by some standards, but they have proven to be deadly, nonetheless.
The Desert Nature Alliance is committed first and foremost to keeping you safe and aware while enjoying everything the desert is. We are here to answer any questions you may have. If you simply need to share some of your experiences or fears about being in the desert for the first time, please feel free to share with us! Tell us all about it! Sharing what we know, what we have seen or are afraid to see is how we truly learn and ease fears and lets us grow and connect. There are tons of misconceptions and even complete lies/falsehoods surrounding some of our native desert animals, plants and how to care for yourself if you do get hurt. Let us help set the record straight.
The wilderness area that bumps up to the Superstition Mountains is home to a diverse ecosystem. The plants and animals that have adapted and thrive in this extreme climate are themselves unique, often dangerous and sometimes deadly. Quite a few are protected species and require a "hands off" approach at all times.
Time, Trail and Temperature are the three T's we want you to think about anytime you are planning on going out into the desert, even if you are only planning a "short, local, day hike". Things could still go wrong. So, let's break it down:
TIME
The Time of day and even the Time of year you choose to go can make a big difference to how much fun and how safe your hike into the desert can be!
*Plan on leaving early in the morning, as the sun comes up, and the weather typically is milder, giving you the most daylight.
*Check for what TIME the sun sets so you can make sure you are back before dark! A little easy math will help you figure out how long you can keep exploring before you will have to turn around before being faced with hiking in the dark! If you ignore what time it is and how long it actually took you to get to where you are, you might not have enough time to make it back safely.
*Bring a flashlight anyways. Yes, you left early, yes you only went for a short trip, yes you had a sunshining day, but stranger things have happened like a trip and fall or a slight veer off the trail that left folks stranded, hurt and alone in the dark. You should always have a mini safety kit* with you.
*Your phone may not stay charged. Using it as your only light source or clock could be a problem. Hiking on a desert trail in the dark is extremely dangerous. Cactus, rocks and bumpy trails can cause you to stumble into pain. The nocturnal wildlife will be watching. Oh and speaking of! Time of year also includes what time of day or night and season our wildlife is active! When are you most likely to see reptiles? When it is warm...
TEMPERATURE
It is no secret that is gets VERY HOT in the desert especially during certain TIMES of the year like the SUMMER! High heat combined with very dry air can quickly lead to getting sick, especially if you are new to this type of heat. Staying hydrated is very important when you are doing physical activities outside in the desert.
Watch our local news weather reports. If they are forecasting extreme heat, find other fun things to do instead like head to the pool or watch a movie.
Hiking on trails is dangerous above 100 degrees. Do not take your dog or small children out on a desert trail when the temperatures are high.
Spend time letting your body aclimate just like they do on Mt. Everest! Ok maybe not as long but you get the idea! Understand how your body reacts to the intense heat before spending a lot of time in it.
Heat sickness can take over quickly leaving you little time to get back to help. Dizziness, headache, vomiting can prevent you from safely navigating a rocky trail. Call for help immediately is you are feeling sick.
Trail
The best advice we could give you when choosing where to explore in Arizona and around our Superstition Mountains is know yourself. Know why you are going and what you expect to find. If you are wanting open views or looking for wildlife. Know how active you normally are and how much hiking you have done previous to coming to Arizona. Is this a challenge for you or is it part of your normal activites?
Not all trails are created equal! What might be "easy" to one person might be very hard to another. Stop when you need to and don't feel pressured to go higher or faster than is safe for you. Do some online research about popular local trails before you go. Try ones suggested by many that have had fun experiences.
In our immediate area we have Silly Mountain, the Hieroglyphics Trail and the Wave Cave. All three trails offer beautiful views, possibility of seeing wildlife, are close to town and have places to safely park with high enough daily traffic that you won't be alone for long.
These trails will give you an idea of your skill level and endurance before you head off into the Peralta Trail or attempt Siphon Draw and Flat Iron.
Safety First
The Desert Nature Alliance believes it is our duty and responsibility to help keep ALL of us safe here in the desert.
Knowing some of the desert basics like the 3 Ts of safety Time, Temperature and Trail can help you enjoy our desert even more! Time Temperature and Trail. Sounds simple right?
Time: The time of day and even the time of year you plan on heading out into the desert to explore matters. Temperature: believe it or not people still head out on to the trails when it is dangerously HOT. Over 100 degrees is not the best time to hike for your dogs or small children. Trail: knowing a little about the trail before you go is a good idea. Never hike alone. Bring plenty of water with you. A small safety kit is needed that includes things like a comb to pull cholla off of your arm or leg!
Some of the very first videos Stacy (dNa Founder and spokesperson) ever made and posted were about Cholla. The infamous "jumping" cactus often found in Arizona hikers hands and shoes. Nasty, painful stuff, Cholla is hard to remove and at times requires pliers. Found in abundance here surrounding the Superstition Mountain, the local trails can easily become dangerous with high winds blowing clumps of Cholla directly into the path or dried pieces blending in closely with the roads.
Since then, Stacy's (the dNa's) videos have talked about the importance of proper shoes, bringing enough water, knowing your limits and so much more! Stacy takes her viewers onto popular local trails and hikes to show what they should know or be aware of before they come out to visit and exactly what they should expect. The dNa's Safety videos can be found on YouTube Channel oh so stace or on Instagram @desert_nature_alliance.
If would like to hear Stacy in person head over to the DNA 6268 S Kings Ranch Road here in Gold Canyon and I am sure she will hand you a "box of bad".
Donations and Support for our "Safety First" and "The 3T's of Safety" program goes to continuing spreading desert safety messages on multiple platforms (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube) by developing fun, informative, relatable and easily accessible content and posts.
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