Hiking Safety for Beginners

How to stay safe and enjoy your hike!

As a follow-up to my previous post about the best hiking trails in the Phoenix Valley, I wanted to share the best advice on how to have a safe and have an enjoyable day hiking in the mountains or desert.

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I am a firm believer in being as prepared as possible whenever you are going to attempt something new, so I always want to pass along the most accurate information possible. Thankfully for this post, I had some help!

My very sweet neighbor Sarah and her husband are outdoors and exploring nature at every opportunity they get-which are most days. Together they have conquered every trail in Phoenix (and beyond!) So she knows a thing or two about the subject.

Earlier this week she was kind enough to sit down with me and share some of the unwritten rules about hiking etiquette and safety everyone should know before they go.

Be Respectful

This one is a biggie for Phoenix.

Many of our trails are considered heritage sites. Do your part to be respectful by not touching, rubbing altering with graffiti, or adding chalk to make them more visible. You also need to clean up after yourself. Bring along garbage bags for any wrappers, empty water bottles, and pet waste you collect along the way.

Know the right time to go

Late October through late May are the best months to spend time in the desert. The extreme heat of the summer months can make anything but an early morning outing potentially dangerous. If you do decide to hike in summer, get started before the sun comes up to avoid possible heat-related illness and injury.

Make a plan

If you decide to take a solo hike, be sure to plan ahead.

Minor injuries are commonplace when doing any outdoor activity. Scrapes, bruises, and even sunburn can be expected.

In Sarah’s words: “you need to be prepared to rescue yourself. Yes, you can be air-lifted out in case of an extreme emergency, but that can take several hours.” Keep basic supplies on you at all times and know how to use them.

A basic first aid kit should include these essentials:

• Salt Tablets-for dehydration
• Ace Bandages for sprains and injuries. *Can also be used for cuts that need to be covered.
• Alcohol Cleaning Pads.
• Extra socks-useful on longer trails to avoid blisters.

As an extra layer of safety, you also need to let someone who will not be with you know where you are going and how long you expect to be gone. Have a call or text schedule in place so they know when and where to send help.

Headphones, please!

The middle of the desert may be the peaceful place you have been waiting for to listen to your favorite podcast or playlist, but not everyone shares your same taste. Be mindful of others and wear earbuds when using public trails.

Sarah recommends leaving one earbud free so you can keep an ear out for signs of snakes, another hiker who may need help, and so you can converse with others on the trail and in your group.

Be Courteous to others

Hikers are generally a friendly and welcoming group, so don’t be afraid to offer a greeting!

Be observant and considerate to other hikers. The general rule is people going uphill have the right-of-way. Step aside and allow them to pass. It’s also considered polite to step aside for newer hikers, anyone with a disability, and groups with kids.

Hydration

Okay. This one is pretty obvious, especially in the desert climate. Every bit of hiking advice you come across tells you to “bring more water than you think you will need.” This is absolutely good advice and should be followed.

However.

While you will need ample water, you can still face dehydration issues if your body is not used to processing the extra fluid. Increasing your water intake starting 2–3 days before hitting the trail will get your body accustomed to the change. This is especially important for hikers who are just starting out and may not realize how easily they can get dehydrated.

Last-minute reminders:

• DO NOT attempt to hike wearing new shoes. That is the fastest way to get blisters.
• If you are hiking in the evening, bring headlamps or flashlights with red light. You will still be able to see, but you will not have to deal with swarms of bugs.
• Bring snacks! Go with a mixture of sweet and salty. Some of Sarah’s favorites are dried fruit, nuts, veggies, jerky, and frozen Crustables. Yes! Those little frozen sandwich pockets every kid loves. “They are small enough to fit in a hiking pack, and they are the perfect mix of sweet and salty.”
• Use the bathroom before you leave. No one wants to have to relieve themselves out in public, so it’s a good idea to get up a bit early and do your business beforehand.

*If you do need to go, your best option is to find a secluded spot and be quick! Be extra mindful to either bury your waste or bag it and throw it away when you get a chance.

Above all else, Sarah encourages everyone to use common sense, and don’t forget to enjoy yourself. Hiking is the ultimate activity when you want to get up close and personal with nature. It’s important to not dwell too much on how far you have to go to get to the top. Focus instead on enjoying the company and how spectacular the view will be.