Which popular Phoenix-area hiking trails close during excessive heat days?

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Even as triple-digit temperatures persist around the Valley, many area residents and visitors still enjoy hiking popular trails and mountains.

However, be cautious this summer, especially on days when Excessive Heat Warnings have been issued. Also, be aware if you begin experiencing signs of overheating.

On Tuesday, a 10-year-old boy sadly died after he was rescued off South Mountain. Firefighters say the boy and family members were on the trail for several hours when he became overheated.

In 2021, the Phoenix Fire Department made a recommendation to the Parks & Recreation Board to close trails on Camelback and Piestewa Mountains to reduce any risk of heat-related injuries or deaths on the trials for both hikers and rescue crews. But, it has people wondering why these closures aren’t more expansive.

“It’s different from our Piestewa Peak trail and Camelback Mountain. Those are considered double diamonds, which means they’re very steep. This is more of a horizontal trail, there’s a lot of access points and it’s longer and bigger. You can be on the Desert Foothills side, which is the south part of South Mountain. You can be on the north part of South Mountain, which is that central location, central access point,” said Phoenix Fire Capt. Todd Keller.

Currently, there are no closures set for South Mountain or any of the other mountains around the Valley.

“Some of our trails, like Piestewa and Camelback for example, we do have a gate that easy to close and maintain to make sure nobody is getting on the trail. Some of the trails in the south and up north are in more residential areas where there is different access points that are a little bit more difficult to manage,” said Jana Benson, a Phoenix Park Ranger.

“When it’s extremely hot out, not only are hikers putting themselves in danger by being on the trail, they’re also putting in danger rescue crews,” Benson said.

Which trails are closed during excessive heat warning days?

The following trails are shut down on days when the National Weather Service issues an Excessive Heat Warning.

Camelback Mountain’s Echo and Cholla Trails
All trails at Piestewa Peak Trailhead in Phoenix Mountains Preserve

All trails will be closed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from July 4 to July 9.

In addition, when temperatures reach 100 degrees, dogs are not allowed on any city trails.

During the Valley’s warm weather months, regardless of whether an Excessive Heat Watch is in effect, it’s recommended that hikers hit the trails during the early morning or evening hours when it is cooler and there is more shade.

Is South Mountain closed for Excessive Heat Warnings?

According to officials, trail closure recommendations come from the Phoenix Fire Department. Firefighters present and request the closures to the parks board, which then approves the closures.

Currently, no closures are set for South Mountain on days when Excessive Heat Warnings are issued. However, the mountain has hiking safety signs along the trails.

Camelback and Piestewa mountains are included due to the dangers firefighters face while attempting rescues. According to officials, other parks and preserves are typically easier for first responders to handle.

Public comment is welcome at Parks and Recreation Board meetings, which are held at 5 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of every month.

Signs of overheating

According to Mayo Clinic, heat exhaustion is one of three heat-related illnesses, with heat cramps being the mildest and heatstroke being the most serious.

If you happen to be on a trail during the summertime, here are some heat exhaustion symptoms you should watch for:

Pale, clammy skin or cool, moist skin with goosebumps
Heavy sweating
Fast and weak pulse
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness
Fatigue, weakness
Muscle cramps
Fainting

If you believe you are experiencing heat exhaustion, move to a cool place, loosen your clothes, sip water and put cool, wet cloths on your body. Seek medical help if you are throwing up, symptoms worsen or last longer than an hour.

If symptoms escalate to a heatstroke, call 911 right away and move the person to a cool place. The CDC advises you to not give the person anything to drink; rather lower their temperature by using cool cloths.

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