If you must hike in this heat, take appropriate precautions

Kevin Robinson

Submitted photo/City of Phoenix

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What’s the best way to safely manage Phoenix’s harsh summer heat? Tell us in 300 words or less at yourvalley.net/letters, or email your comments, name, address and contact number to AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

OPINION — We have already seen many days of extreme heat in Phoenix. When that happens, hiking trails at Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak and three trails at South Mountain — Holbert Trail, Hau’pal Loop Trail and access to the National Trail from Pima Canyon Trailhead — are closed.

Arizona heat can be deceiving and deadly. Hike when it’s cool outside, for example early mornings and evenings when there’s more shade.

Don’t be “that person” who wasn’t prepared or who ignored safety guidelines. Be a responsible hiker.

Hydrate before you go. Have more water than you think you need. Turn around and head back to the trailhead before you drink all of your water

Carry a mobile phone and make sure it’s charged.

Wear proper shoes, clothing, hat and sunscreen.

Do you have a medical condition? Don’t push yourself.

Hike with others or tell someone where you will be, and the times you plan to go and return. More than 200 hikers annually are rescued from city desert and mountain parks and preserves.

By closing the hardest trails on the hottest days, we are keeping hikers and first responders safe. During a rescue, critical resources are pulled from our fire stations. These resources could be better used to help others in need.

In District 6, we care deeply about the health and well-being of our pets in summer heat. That’s why I voted in support of the city’s updated animal cruelty ordinance. Dogs cannot be tethered without direct supervision, and tethers must be at least 6 feet long, allowing dogs to move around.

During this period of excessive heat, the city’s Water Services Department is beginning the Cholla Sewer Diversion and Abandonment Project. Work began recently, but Cholla Trail will be closed Aug.17-28.

To access Camelback Mountain, please use Echo Canyon Trailhead at 4925 E. McDonald Drive in Paradise Valley.

For questions, please call 602-235-2488. Find more information at phoenix.gov/parks/trails.

Kevin Robinson represents District 6 on the Phoenix City Council. This was distributed as part of his newsletter. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.