One of our favorite activities to do with our family is hiking and, as Arizonans in Phoenix, we hike mainly in the desert. Desert hiking is a great way to get outside into nature, breathe in some fresh air, enjoy the sunshine, learn about the world around us, and step away from the pressures of daily life. In Phoenix, we are very blessed to have one of the best urban park systems in the country. Maricopa County Parks and Recreation is made up of more than 120,000 acres of desert mountain preserves, regional parks, and trails, many located in the heart of the city. It’s always astonishing to hike through one of the city parks in the middle of Phoenix and completely escape urban life and traffic just a short distance away!
Here are a few things we have learned first hand over many years of hiking that can help make your next desert hike a good one.
Arizona rule number one: in the summer hike early or head north
While desert hiking has perfect temperatures and almost no humidity during the winter months, it defintely presents unique challenges during the summer. Every summer there are dozens of reports of hikers ending up in dangerous, and often fatal, situations by hiking in the desert in the middle of the day. Our advice is just don’t do it. If you really must hike in the summer in Phoenix, hit the trail as early as possible (which means BEFORE 6:30 am when the sun comes up).
A better option is to take a short trip north to some of the cooler summer climates in Arizona that have great hiking, like Prescott or Flagstaff. There are also many great places to visit for weekend or longer road trips in Northern Arizona, if you are looking for hiking and camping vacations during the summer months. We recommend you leave summertime day hikes in the Phoenix area to advanced hikers who exercise caution, are in good shape, and most importantly are accustomed to hiking in summer heat in the Sonoran Desert. The daytime summer heat is definitely no place for young kids or hiking newbies.
Water, water, water
This is the most important rule for all hikers, especially in the desert. Realize that even higher elevations and tall pines in Arizona are still desert, which means the climate is very dry. Experts recommend drinking 1 gallon of water per person, per day. When we hike we fill our water packs to the top, no matter how far we’re going, and we refill at every water station we see. Make sure to also hydrate before you head out, since dehydration can hit suddenly. Experts advise that many people don’t feel thirsty until they’re dehydrated, which is why it’s important to increase water intake, even before you are out in the heat. The effects of dehydration are headaches, naseau, vomiting… well, you get the picture. It’s no fun and takes a while to recover, as many of our visitors and friends have learned the hard way.
Everyone carries their own pack (unless the child is the pack)
This is a good rule for everyone to follow for all hiking and backpacking trips. Don’t let one person carry all of the food, water or supplies, even if they are the “strongest” person, or the most knowledgable. You never know when an accident will happen to you or someone else, so it’s it’s best for everyone to be prepared to take care of themselves. This applies to kids, too, to a certain degree. We have our kid carry her own water pack (an absolute must) so she can drink as she needs it. The pack includes her own snacks, sunscreen, lip balm, hat, and small first aid kit. You don’t need to carry a lot, but be sure to have the basics on hand for each person on your hiking adventure.
Wear the right gear
This is important advice for the happiness and comfort of everyone in your hiking party. There are shirts, pants, shoes and socks made specifically for hiking and other outdoor activities – I highly recommend you use them! You don’t have to spend a fortune of new clothes (you can purchase the right gear at local discount stores and most outdoor outfitter stores have frequent sales), and our experience has taught us that you will be miserable if your gear is not up to the task.
Specifically, we do not recommend wearing jeans. They are heavy and chafing, and we think they are just a bad idea all around for hiking. A good pair of hiking pants, shorts, or other athletic weight bottoms are worth every penny. Wear clothing that is made to breath, wick away sweat, dry quickly, and be comfortable. Also be careful with your footwear; hiking shoes are made to be comfortable with soles meant for tackling tough, rugged terrain.
Ladybug Tip!
Pickles and peanut butter. An odd combination to be sure, but this is one do-it-yourself suggestion that we received from a local hiking expert in Prescott (a shout out to the staff at Arizona Hike Shack in Prescott – they are awesome!). When we asked what kinds of food to give our kid on a 2-3 mile day hike to keep up her energy, he said you don’t always need to buy pre-packaged solutions. Our kid had very few fat reserves to keep her moving during even what we considered a short hike. She would go from full steam running down the trail to “Mommy carry me” in about 2 minutes flat. The trick, we learned, is to make sure that your kids eat plenty of small snacks along the way so they keep up their energy.
There are some great pre-packaged power bars, protein bars, beef sticks, and granola options out there that work well. But the pickles and peanut butter recommendation is a great idea because pickles provide quick-acting electrolytes that regulate nerve and muscle function and hydration, and peanut butter provides a good source of healthy monounsaturated fat and protein. Our Ladybug tried this weird-sounding combination and really liked it! It tastes a little like peanutty sauces used in a lot of Thai food. Wrap the pickles in aluminum foil, store them in a plastic baggie, and bring some on the go peanut butter for a quick pick me up while you are out on the trail. And guess what? We actually found pre-packaged pickle juice in the freezer section of our local grocery store, in case you don’t want to wrap up your own.
Pace yourselves and be prepared to stop frequently with kids
Kids not only have short attention spans and small bladders, they also wear out quickly. Make the hike fun for your youngsters by making stops along the path. Look for wildlife, use the binoculars to see birds and far away sites, tell them about special plants and flowers, or find big sticks and funny rocks. Here in the Sonoran Desert, we look for weird and funny cactus shapes, petroglyphs on rocks, seasonal flowers and plants, and try to guess what kind of animal (or insect!) lives in the holes you find along the trail.
Take a breath and smell the desert air, because it’s like no other scent in the world and is one of the best things about living in the Sonoran Desert. And be sure to prepare for possible potty breaks along the trail. Have everyone go before you leave, but don’t be surprised if you need to have a quick lesson about squatting behind a tree or bush (and we highly recommend taking plenty of tissues and wet wipes, just in case)!
Desert Hiking Resources
There are tons of great resources out on the internet that can help you plan for your next hike, in the desert or elsewhere, with your favorite youngsters and adults. Here are a few of our favorites to get you started with your research and planning:
- Desert Hiking Skills, by Hike Desert
- 25 Tips for Hiking with Kids, by Family Can Travel
- Best kid-friendly trails in Phoenix, by AllTrails
- 25 Summer Safety Series, by the American Hiking Society
- Take your kids hiking: 10 tips to make the adventure fun for the whole family, by the Wilderness Society
- 22 Easy Tips For Hiking With Kids (From Avid Family Hikers), by Y Travel
- Backpacking with a Toddler: What You Must Know, by Adventure Travel Family
- Hiking with Infants, Toddlers and Kids, by REI Expert Advice
- How to Backpack with a Toddler, by Montem Life
Last, but not least – Have Fun!
Our biggest tip for you is don’t overthink it! Hiking is fun. Nature is beautiful. Exercise is healthy. Just get out and go and have a blast while you’re there. Keep an eye on the kiddos, bring snacks and water, and head back for naps when you think they need to stop. Your kid is only this age once, so take time to appreciate who they are and what they can do right now. Before we had our child, a friend of mine gave me the best advice about parenting that I’ve ever heard. She said, “just enjoy every minute of it.” Boy was she right!
– mamabug
This article was originally published in the November 2017 edition of the Deer Valley Times.
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