The beauty never ends in the southwestern US, with its magnificent canyons and red rock formations along with surreal lakes and hidden desert waterfalls. But travelers often make a big mistake when hiking in this part of the country: failing to understand the risks that come along with all these wonders. First and foremost, hikers must be informed and prepared for the extreme weather conditions — not just heat and dryness but potentially cold and rain, too.
In summer, the desert southwest becomes a giant, deadly sauna. The ground can get so hot that flip flops can become fondue in minutes. Even lizards have been known to cry out for Gatorade in the dead of summer. Consider yourself warned: in the hottest months, venture out into the desert only in the wee morning hours or early in the evening, when the air is considerably cooler.
Furthermore — and we can’t stress this enough—bring enough water, no matter what time you start the trail. When temps are in the 90s, this is about one liter of water for each hour you’ll be hiking. To safe space and make staying hydrated on your hike a little more convenient, consider carrying a hydration pack instead of a bunch of water bottles. This is a plastic water container that you can slip into your backpack, which has a long tube connected to a mouthpiece that you can clip to your shoulder strap for easy access. Then all you have to do is turn your head to reach the mouthpiece and suck on the tube, which acts like a giant straw to deliver the cold, welcome liquid directly into your mouth.
Weather patterns to know about in the desert southwest
