Whether you’re planning a trail run, simple afternoon hike, or week-long backpacking trip in the desert, being prepared is key. If you’re planning an outing in the southwest, stay safe with these desert trail tips.
Know where you’re going.
Like with any trail system, you should have a plan. Getting lost on a desert trail can be dangerous. I like to use AllTrails, and I take a screenshot of the directions in case I lose connection.
Bring a backpack with these items.
- Water: Bring more than you think you will need. Deserts are typically dry regardless of the season, and dehydration is dangerous. If you bring nothing else, always have water. It’s my number one desert trail tip.
- Snacks: Even if I’m planning a short hike, I usually have an energy bar with me. I’ve gotten lost on trails, and I’ve been out on some that took much longer than I planned for various reasons. Be prepared just in case.
- Light-colored sun hat: Dark colors absorb the heat. I know it’s dorky, but a light-colored sun hat will help keep your head, face, and neck cooler. If it’s winter, a hat can still be helpful on a sunny day!
- Sunscreen: Because sunburns and skin cancer suck. Yes, you can get burnt during the winter and on cloudy days.
- First Aid Kit: At the very least, have some bandaids and antibacterial cream on hand.
- Sunglasses: Obviously.
- Cell Phone: If you don’t have cell coverage, at least get photos along the way!
- Layers: If you’re hiking during the summer, you might find an UPF shirt helpful. If you’re out during the winter, keep in mind the desert can get extremely cold quickly. Either way, I always have either a lightweight sun shirt or a warm sweater ready.
- Headlamp: This desert trail tip is really only necessary if there’s a chance you’ll be on a trail before sunrise or after sunset. Nevertheless, I almost always have one with me.
If you see puffy white clouds forming over the mountains, quickly turn around and head back to your car.
This is especially true if you’re hiking during the summer months. Big, gorgeous, puffy cumulous clouds mean a storm is forming.
Thunderstorms and flash flooding are common in the desert, particularly during the summer months. Although those of us from the desert tend to love these storms, it’s risky to be out in them.
Caught in a thunderstorm?
Thunderstorms are amazing, but I cannot stress enough how dangerous they can be. Flash floods and lightning kill people every year.
Because they can form quickly and heavy rain can blow in with little warning, I’ve definitely been caught out in storms more times than I’d like to admit. With that in mind, though, here is what I’ve learned to do when I get caught in a dangerous storm.
- Seek shelter if it’s available. An enclosed shelter is ideal.
- Remember: Tall objects attract lightning. Stay away from tall trees, saguaros, metal antennas, or anything tall.
- If lightning is striking nearby, crouch down in a ball. Yes, it will suck, and you’re going to get wet and dirty. But getting struck by lightning will be worse. If it’s striking in your immediate area and you’re one of the tallest things around, you’re at a higher risk of getting hit.
- Stay away from pooling water. Water conducts electricity, so stay away from it.
Side note: This exact scenario happened to my dad last year during a monsoon storm. He was on a trail run at Saguaro National Park and a massive storm blew in before he could get back to the parking lot. Lightning struck so close he could see it hitting the area around him and there was no shelter available, so he dropped to all fours crouched on the ground until the storm passed.
Desert safety 101: Respect the snakes.
One of my most important desert trails tips is to be aware of and respect nature. The wildlife is native, and it’s afraid of you. This includes rattlesnakes.
Stay alert when hiking, and pay special attention to rocky areas, bushes, and cactus patches. When I see rattlesnakes, they are usually hiding in a shady area minding their own business.
If you see a rattlesnake or hear a rattling sound, identify the direction of the noise and back away. Remember: rattlesnakes do NOT want to strike or harm you – they are afraid and want you to leave them alone. Rattlesnakes will only strike if they feel threatened, so giving them space is critical. Really, this desert safety tip should be common sense.
If you must insist on getting a photo, use a zoom lens. But please give them the respect they deserve and get away quickly.
All of that said, please do not harm ANY snakes you may see on the trail. Most are harmless, and all of them want to get away from you.
Don’t touch the reptiles. Obviously.
In addition to snakes and lizards, you may see a Desert Tortoise or Gila Monster if you’re lucky.
Enjoy viewing them and snapping a photo while keeping your distance, but leave them alone. Tortoises can lose their water if you touch them, which is dangerous for them. And Gila Monsters are actually venomous.
I used to catch lizards all the time as a kid growing up running barefoot through the Arizona summers, but I taught my own kids to leave them alone. Even if the critters are not venomous or dangerous, handling them can harm them. The only time I pick up a lizard is if one makes its way into my house and I need to get it back outside.
Respect the big creatures.
The most common animals I see besides rabbits and squirrels are coyotes and javelinas. I have also seen bobcats in my yard and come across black bears at campgrounds. I have not yet ever come across a mountain lion while on a desert trail.
While they are dangerous, they’re also incredibly elusive. In fact, my family has lived in southern Arizona for decades, and only my brother has seen a mountain lion once while running on a trail. The mountain lion took off running in the opposite direction the second it realized a human was standing nearby.
Although it can be intimidating seeing large desert wildlife, please remember the creatures want nothing to do with you. Coyotes may have an eerie howl and look like a small wolf, but they are afraid of humans. Javelina might be curious to see a two-legged creature walking near them and stop to stare at you, but they are skittish and will scatter if you clap your hands and yell at them.
Are you seeing a theme here? Desert safety 101: Wildlife is afraid of you. Leave it alone.
Leave no trace.
I wish I didn’t have to say this, but I see horrible photos of idiots defacing rocks in national parks, and I pick up up other peoples’ trash every time I’m on a hike.
If you remember nothing else from my desert trail tips, let it be this: LEAVE NO TRACE.
I’m unclear where the disconnect is coming from. What are people misunderstanding? Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, and for God’s sake… PICK UP YOUR DOG’S POOP.
