You know, in all the years I lived in Colorado I never had the pleasure of greeting the Rocky Mountain rattlesnake. And in the two years here in Arizona, I still have not been welcomed by one here! Make no doubt, I am ever cognizant of the threat they pose in the parks and desert of Phoenix, Arizona. Reports abound of their potent bite.

Yet, rattlesnakes are not the greatest threat to we residents or the visitors. Based on the statistics, I would suggest taking a hike in one of the beautiful city preserves poses a greater threat to you than the rattler.

It has been reported that emergency calls for rescue on Phoenix camelback mountains have significantly increased this year, up over 40 percent from 2008 and that year was a record. The Arizona Republic reported that on the second Sunday of this month, there were seven emergency rescue calls on that day alone, one sadly ending in a death from an apparent heart attack.

I now take these walks in the park seriously. Even though they are no Colorado 14ner, they are challenging and dangerous. Authorities speculate that people, visitors in particular, believe that since these hikes/trails are found within the city limits and are classified as city parks, there is a belief they are easy.

Here’s a few recommendations I have if you have not hiked one of these peaks nor in the Phoenix desert:

  • MOST IMPORTANT — TAKE PLENTY OF WATER. A good rule of thumb is once you have drunk half your supply, turn around.
  • If you have a sedate lifestyle or are over 35, take your time, or better yet, start with easier climbs first.
  • Don’t hike if the temperatures are going above 80. I would NOT recommend hiking these mountains if the temps go into the 80s, let alone the 90s and above. You probably don’t mow the grass where you are from at those temps, so don’t even think about climbing a mountain with a thousand foot elevation gain in the desert. It has taken me two years to start feeling comfortable with the temperatures in Phoenix. That means 60 feels cool to me! So 80 isn’t too bad a heat now, but I still avoid hiking on days where the temps are hitting 80 or higher.
  • Wear good soled shoes. I will admit, I hiked some with sandals when I first arrived. That was STUPID. Falls account for a good portion of the emergency calls. I now wear a shoe made for hiking and it makes a difference.
  • Don’t try these on an empty stomach. Take an energy bar. One of the problems encountered is hiking up a good portion of the mountain and suffering from a degree of heat exhaustion and not being able to walk back down.

I still find myself thinking that the rattlesnake is my biggest threat on the trails in Phoenix. Yes, they are dangerous and I hope my inevitable meeting with one will provide me with a picture rather than a bite. The reality, though, is acknowledging the danger of the desert environment. In the 70s there was an admonishment that we would be wise to adhere, do not mess with Mother Nature.