Spring showers bring new flowers!
February 26, 2010 by Take A Hike Arizona
Scottsdale and Phoenix hiking trails are starting to show off their colors! I did a quick scouting trip to see what is going on out in the desert as far as our spring flower season. The amount of rain we have had over the past month or so should definitely provide us with a much more colorful wildflower season than last year. Anyway, just to give you a real quick update on what we are seeing out there right now….
The Chuparosa, always an early bloomer, is hitting its full stride right about now. You will find the red blossoms on the plants especially abundant on the sunnier sides of the trail and along the warmer areas along the washes. In particular, you can see these plants in full bloom along the sides of the road as you drive around town as well. The Chuparosa further up the slopes and on northern sides of slopes have yet to blossom. For those of you who may not already know this, you can eat the blossoms of the Chuparosa. You will even find them mixed in for color in salads you order from select restaurants around the valley. So go find a blooming Chuparosa and pick a fresh red blossom and try tasting it (please make sure you know it is a Chuparosa before eating it!). Let me know what you think it tastes like.
Other plants not yet blooming quite as spectacularly as the Chuparosa are the Creosote and Brittlebush. Both of these bush-like plants produce pretty yellow flowers. The Creosote flowers are smaller and are accompanied by little white fuzz balls (I’m sure there is a technical name for those cute fuzz balls – if you know it – please tell me). The Brittlebush produces larger daisy-like flowers and can be found all over the desert in the Spring. I also noticed that the Buckhorn Cholla (not Staghorn which is not in this part of the desert) is starting to produce the very beginnings of its blossoms. As you hike along, check out the burgundy color shoots sprouting from the tips of the cholla branches on the Buckhorn.
We’ve also been seeing quite a few tiny little yellow and white flowers sprouting up here and there among the rocky slopes. I’ve yet to see any poppies, lupine, owl’s clover, desert marigolds or any other cactus blooming. As soon as those start popping up, I will be sure to let you know. If you’d like to see what these flowers look like, just go to our photo gallery and head to the Flower folder. We have photos of all kinds of desert flora. If you have any questions about anything you see during your desert wanderings, please give us a shout at info@takeahikearizona.com and we’ll try to help you out or find someone who can! Enjoy the Spring!
Geronimo’s Cave
January 19, 2010 by Take A Hike Arizona
As promised previously, here is an update about our hiking exploration to Geronimo’s Cave in the Superstitions. This particular route is one that I have not taken before so it was all new to me! Based on sound advice received from one of expert hiking pals, we started our day by heading up the Peralta Trail. First, I cannot say enough how beautiful the Peralta Trail is, which is why it is the most traveled trail in Arizona! As I’ve mentioned (probably many times) before, it is one of my favorites. With that said, I didn’t think heading over to Geronimo’s Cave was going to be that much different. But, boy was it!
So for those of you not familiar with the area, head up the Peralta Trail up to the Freemont Saddle that overlooks Weaver’s Needle. Do not try to hike up to the cave first. From the saddle, head up and over the rocks to your right where many people go to get an even better view of the Needle. If you look towards the Needle (twelve o’clock), a little to the right (about 1-2 o’clock) is a lone pine tree (a little one). You can’t miss it. As our friend told us, look for “the tree”. I was a little concerned at first until I saw that is is indeed the ONLY tree up there. That tree is actually on the trail that you want to pick up to head toward Geronimo’s Cave. However, the tree is in the opposite direction of where you want to head. So, start hiking on the trail to the right of the saddle that looks like it will take you toward the tree eventually, and you are on the right trail (just don’t bear left to head to the tree when that option appears).
Almost immediately you are in for a scenic treat. The minute you turn the corner and start heading back in the general direction of the trailhead, you have gorgeous views of the other side of the Superstitions that y0u don’t get to see while hiking up the Peralta Trail. It’s nothing but wilderness. At this point, I wish I could tell you to just follow the trail from here on out but it is not so easy. The “trail” is not a clear path or marked in any manner. You may see cairns once in a while that you hope point you in the right direction, but that is about it. The only thing I can tell you is stay parallel to the Peralta Canyon that you hiked up earlier and eventually you may find your way back to the trailhead. Seriously. This hike back via Geronimo’s Cave is not for the faint of heart nor the ill-prepared. You know the rule of thumb used at the Grand Canyon….it takes twice as long to hike a mile up than it does down? Well, reverse that for this hike.
Do not attempt to go back this way if you are running low on water or snacks. It takes some time to return by this route. You should also be concerned about returning this way if you have anyone in your group that has even a minimal fear of heights. There is quite a bit of scrambling over rocks and sliding down steep inclines – often close to the edge of large dropoffs. So take your time.
The cave itself will be off to the left side of the trail in the area where the landscape/rocks have a yellow tint. The cave is quite large and pretty open so you really can’t miss it. You have to leave the trail for a few yards to hike up to the actual cave entrance, but you should see some paths that are worn down a bit from others that have gone there before you. This is a great spot to hang out and enjoy the view for a bit and take lots of photos! After this point, the trail gets a bit scarce. You have to pick your way through the boulders – while staying parallel to Peralta Canyon. You will also have to scramble quite a bit to get back to an area that feels like an actual trail again.
With all that said, my best advice is if you are going to Geronimo Cave for the first time, go with someone who has been there before and can help guide you back to the Peralta Trailhead. Also, be sure to bring lots of water, snacks and really comfortable, sturdy shoes. Some of the descents are pretty steep and can be hard on your toes if you don’t have the right shoes on. I would not recommend bringing younger kids as some of the rock scrambling may be difficult for them to get up and it is a long hike for little legs.
If you are curious about the hike, please feel free to check out the photos we took. They are in our photo gallery on our website under the Superstitions hiking folder. If you would like more information about the hike or would like a guided hike out into the area, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@takeahikearizona.com. We love to share our experiences with you and keep you safe out in the desert!
Hiking in the Superstitions
January 19, 2010 by Take A Hike Arizona
One of our favorite hikes in the Superstitions is the ever popular Peralta Trail. It is so popular that parking can be a problem on the weekends. But even on a busy weekend, the area is so large that you are not competing for space on the trail like you would on Pinnacle Peak, Camelback or Piestewa Peak.
Right from the start, the Peralta Trail has beautiful scenery around every corner. The rock formations along the way are some of the most unique to be found in the valley and during the warmer months, we often see gorgeous collared lizards and blooming flowers of all kinds. From the Peralta Trail you can also find Geronimo’s Cave (if you know where to look). We are heading out there tomorrow for a fun (day off) hike. We’ll be sure to take some more photos – especially of the cave – and post them to our blog. So stay tuned for some more info about the hike and a few other trails that you can find starting from the same trailhead.
Take A Hike Arizona, LLC is one of the very few companies/organizations that holds a commercial permit to hike in this area of the Superstitions. If you’d like to learn more about the excursions we offer in the Superstitions Wilderness Area, just give us a holler at 480-634-8488 or email us at info@takeahikearizona.com. We’d love to take you out there and show you the beauty found in this special part of the Sonoran Desert.
Kids Camp Schedule
August 8, 2009 by Take A Hike Arizona
Heading into the desert!
Well, the summer has been fun so far. We’ve been keeping busy doing sunrise, sunset and night hikes during the hot desert season. Check out some of our beautiful photos from these excursions when you have a chance. The sunsets this summer have been amazing! One of the things we’ve really enjoyed this summer is our Parents’ Night Out kids camp. This is a night hiking camp for the kids which is about 4 hours long. During the summer it is a great opportunity for parents to get out for a night knowing their children are having a great evening themselves. This camp was so popular that we are offering several additional opportunities for parents to tell their kids to “Take A Hike“!
The next night hiking camp for kids will be held on Friday, August 28, 2009. The kids will love this night hiking camp made just for them! We will take the kids out on a desert scavenger hunt for fluorescent gems, go on a scorpion hunt (we don’t get that close to them!), look for small desert critters that come out at night and we will get them actively involved in lots of fun desert themed activities and games!
For only $30 ($25 for each additional sibling) the Camp Adventure includes: Guided hike, pizza, water, snacks, refreshments, use of backpack, an arts & crafts project, and lots of FUN!!! See below for our night hiking camp schedule.
Also, as we head into the Fall season and the weather cools, we will once again be offering our Kids’ Day Hiking Camp. We often schedule these camps to coincide with the Scottsdale School District calendar. Our day camps are 5 hours long and similar to the night camps include water, refreshments, snacks, lunch, an arts & crafts project, fun interactive desert themed games and a guided hike into the Sonoran Desert. The cost for this hiking camp is $40 per child ($35 for each additonal sibling). See the schedule below for our upcoming day hiking camps.
Please keep in mind that these camps do fill up quickly. If you would like more information or would like to reserve your child’s space, just give us a call at 480-634-8488.
Parents’ Night Out/Kids Night Hiking Camp
Dates: August 28, 2009, September 25, 2009, November 20, 2009
Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Meeting Place: McDowell Mountain Community Center, 10607 E. Paradise Lane, Scottsdale, AZ
Kids Day Hiking Camp Schedule
Dates: Wednesday-November 11, 2009, Monday-December 21, 2009, Wednesday-December 23, 2009
Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Meeting Place: The Gateway Trailhead, 18333 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ
Casino Arizona Showstoppers
June 28, 2009 by Take A Hike Arizona
Okay, so we are not always hiking at Take A Hike Arizona. We also have some down time of our own which oddly enough does include more hiking, but also includes all kinds of fun activities and sight seeing. We love to get out to see everything we can here in Arizona (and there is much to see and do)! And the thought occurred to me that we could share some of the sights to see and things to do on our blog along with all our other hiking related stuff! So here is our first post about stuff we have seen and done in the great state of Arizona!
A few weeks back we attended the Arizona Highways Travel Show at the Phoenix Convention Center. At the show, we chatted with individuals from a number of hospitality related businesses, one of which was Casino Arizona. The staff at this booth were handing out complimentary passes to see the “Showstopper Live!” show. So, because they were free and being handed to me, I took them. I’ve lived here in the valley for about 14 years and have never stepped foot into Casino Arizona. Not sure why, but it’s just something I’ve never done. Anyway, I took the tickets with a high level of doubt that I would ever use them.
So, to make a long story short, my mom came into town to visit. We did our annual camping trip up to Sedona with the kids and did a lot of local sightseeing of kid-friendly museums around Phoenix. Then one night, I just happened to remember that I had these free tickets. So I figured what the heck, it’s free, we have no plans for the evening, so let’s go! The show started at 7:00pm and the guest services said it was first come first serve as far as seating. Their recommendation was to arrive at 6:00pm. So we did.
We waited in line at the guest services counter which is located at the front door right when you come in. As we waited, we heard several announcements about getting complimentary tickets to the show. Apparently, anyone can just show up and receive the complimentary tickets, even though they have a retail value of $55. So my first word of advice is, don’t pay to see the show. The tickets appear to be free (at least during the week)! Okay, no real surprise there I guess. The second thing I learned within the first 5 minutes of arriving is that, we did not need to wait in the long line but we could scoot around to the left side of the counter and pick up the tickets for the show and avoid the slower moving queue for all the other services provided at the guest counter.
Now we have our tickets in hand, which come with a 2 drink minimum per person purchase by the way. What is that saying…nothing is for free? hmmmmm. Well, the 2 drink minimum is actually pretty minimal. You can just buy 2 fountain drinks for $2.50 each if you want and that will satisfy the requirement. We decided to go all out and buy 2 cocktails (on special) for $5 each plus tip. Oh and don’t be surprised when they tell you have to order your 2 drink minimum up front. You have to decide which 2 drinks you want and then they are delivered to you at the same time. I understand the logistics of doing it this way, but I didn’t really appreciate having my second drink sitting there getting warm while I drank my first one. Anyway, our total out of pocket for an evening of entertainment was $10 each plus tip. Then we waited. Don’t forget we had been advised to arrive early to get a seat, so we now had about 45 minutes to sit and drink and wait. So, we sipped slowly. Oh, and just as an FYI, they do not serve any kind of appetizers or snacks in the showroom to go along with your drinks. That was kind of disappointing.
Then the show began. The lineup for the evening was Elvis (what’s a tribute without Elvis?), Gloria Estefan, Reba McIntire, and The Four Tops. I have to say, I really wasn’t expecting much but, we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the entertainment. Elvis was entertaining and had a great voice. The Reba impersonator was spot on. She looked, spoke and sang much like Reba. I had a hard time seeing a difference! But I really enjoyed the Four Tops – not my generation, however – they were excellent! They selected some great songs and really got the crowd going. The woman impersonating Gloria Estefan had a beautiful singing voice but was noticeably different than what you would expect Gloria Estefan to be like. We did miss out on seeing Madonna though. I was looking forward to that tribute. Maybe she has a larger draw and only makes appearances on weekends. I’m not sure. We also got to see a knife throwing act mid-way through the show. They were quite funny and provided a nice break from the singing acts.
So, if you are looking for something fun and cheap to do in the Scottsdale area, you should check out this show. It was quite fun and the entertainers really put their all into it. And after drinking my 2 required beverages in quick order before they got warm, I didn’t seem to mind having a 2 drink minimum purchase. The show is at Casino Arizona located at the Loop-101 and Mckellips. If you happen to go see it, let me know what you think!
Saguaro Cactus Fruit
June 3, 2009 by Take A Hike Arizona
Saguaro flower awaiting pollination
Well, I would have to say it is finally here…….the summer. It’s not official by the calendar yet, but anytime it consistently reaches 90 – 100 degrees everyday and the kids are on “summer vacation”, that’s good enough for me! One of the things that we (at Take A Hike Arizona) really like to see as the weather warms up during this time of year, is the ripening of the Saguaro fruit on the Saguaro cactus.
The Saguaro is the largest cactus found in the United States and can only be found in elevation ranging from sea level up to 4,000 feet. But, that is another blog post entirely. So back to the fruit. Typically, the cactus will bloom in late May to early June with the fruit appearing and ripening about one month after that. This year, the flowers appeared a bit earlier than usual and you can now see the fruit starting to ripen at the top of the cactus.
The Saguaro flower requires pollination before it will produce any fruit. The flowers are most often pollinated by bats, White-winged Doves, Mourning Doves, bees, and other types of birds. Once the flower is pollinated, it will produce a 3 inch long fruit that contains as many as 2,000 seeds! The seeds are very tiny and and kind of remind me of the small poppy seeds you find on bagels – except the saguaro seeds are even smaller. The fruit is a very important seasonal food as it ripens during the driest part of the year right before the summer rainy (moonsoon) season. Many desert animals depend on this fruit for sustenance during this time of year.
The fruit itself has many uses for us humans as well. After being plucked (i.e., harvested) from the cactus with long saguaro rib poles, the seeds are meticuously separated from the pulp. This is a very time consuming, painstaking process done by hand. The seeds are then dried and can be ground down into a flour or even eaten as is. The pulp can be consumed as a juice or can be boiled down to make a syrup. Some of the syrup, in turn, can be used to produce a wine that the Tohono O’odham Indians use as a ceremonial drink to usher in the rainy season. The fruit is actually quite nutritious. The seeds are 30% fat and the pulp contains about 10% protein and 70% carbohydrates (which is why it makes such great wine!).
If you are interested in finding out more about harvesting and eating saguaro fruit, check out some southwest ethnobotany books at your local library, attend an ethnobotany lecture offered by Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, or travel down to the Tohono O’odham reservation just south of Tucson. The Tohono O’odham offer food products harvested from the desert including Saguaro juice and syrup. If you live in the Phoenix metro area, you may also be lucky enough to find these items at a local farmer’s market in your area. If you do come across the opportunity to try a taste of Saguaro fruit, the juice, syrup or wine, I would highly recommend trying it. It has a unique flavor all its own and you may find the natural desert flavors grow on you pretty quickly! Let me know if you try it and what you think! Happy harvesting!
Take A Hike Arizona Lends a Helping Hand
May 7, 2009 by Take A Hike Arizona
Kadija
There is a special lady named Kadija who is near and dear to many hearts including ours at Take A Hike Arizona. Kadija, a single mom with 2 young boys, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Kadija is known to be a dynamo (with an attitude) driving people to do their very best in their fitness regimes and their lives. Her loyal followers are always inspired by her unswerving support in their efforts. She always exudes confidence and a great enthusiasm toward life. She will be no different in her fight against cancer. But she does need our support.
Being a single mom with 2 young children, Kadija supports her family through her coaching as a fitness trainer. Unfortunately, she cannot continue to work at this time and her friends want to help. We, at Take A Hike Arizona, are hoping to raise funds to lend a helping hand. Join us on May 30th at 6:00am at the new Gateway Trailhead in Scottsdale for a sunrise hike. We are not charging for this guided hike, but will instead gladly accept donations to be contributed to Kadija’s fund. We will provide water, snacks, use of backpacks and trekking poles for those who need them. The hike will also be accompanied by 2 knowledgeable guides (June and Tracey) who can tell you all kinds of neat things about the desert flora and fauna.
If you’d like to join us for this hike and support a great cause, please RSVP to Andrea Hood at AHood4@cox.net or call June and Tracey (Take A Hike Arizona) at 480-634-8488 to reserve a spot on the hike. Donations will be accepted at the time of the hike. Checks can be made payable to The Kadija Support Fund (an account that has been set up to accept donations for Kadija). To learn more about Kadija and the fund that has been set up, please visit the website that has been created by iBloom Interactive Marketing at http://www.aboutkadija.com.
We hope you can join us for this beautiful sunrise hike on Saturday, May 30th!
Summer is almost here!
April 30, 2009 by Take A Hike Arizona
Saguaro cacti silhouttes
I am somewhat sad to report that Spring here in the desert is just about behind us. Now that we are heading into May, I expect that things will warm up pretty quickly here. Luckily, we still have many cactus still in the process of blooming or beginning to bloom!
The saguaros are just now starting to grow their buds and a number of them are already blooming those gorgeous large white flowers, which are our state flower by the way. The saguaro blooms do seem to be a bit early this year. Typically, the flowers on these cacti bloom in mid- May to early June with the fruit harvest then falling into late June early July. We also have many cholla cacti starting to show their colors as well as the Little Leaf Palo Verde trees and the Ironwood trees. So, there is still a lot of color to see out there.
But, there is no denying that the warmer, no….hot, okay, the really hot weather is on its way. With that in mind, we (Take A Hike Arizona) are offering our guests the option of hiking during the cooler parts of the day. From May through September, we will have sunrise, sunset, moonlight, and night hikes. Check out the following descriptions to see what you can expect from each hike:
Sunrise: We begin our sunrise hikes in the pre-dawn hours as the sky begins to lighten. Many desert dwellers are nocturnal and these early morning hours provide a great opportunity to see the desert animals, such as coyote, bobcat, and javelina, as they begin to retire for the day. Sunrise hikes are a great option for those visiting the Valley of the Sun during our warmer months.
Sunset: We begin our sunset hikes about one hour before sunset to ensure our guests have an unforgettable view of the sun setting over the valley from the peak of the hike. As the sun sets, the sky provides a fantastic display of rich color and provides a beautiful backdrop for photography. As we watch the sun set, the city lights begin to flicker on and as we hike back down the trail, we are provided with gorgeous views of these lights around each corner of the trail. During the mid to later months of the summer, we will oftentimes be fortunate enough to witness the stunning desert rainbows that hang over the valley right before evening sets in.
Moonlight: Our moonlight hikes start right at sunset. This allows our eyes to adjust naturally to the darker sky as we hike. During our moonlight hikes, we like to point out various plants that bloom only at night during the summer. We look for bats pollinating the saguaro cacti, we look for javelina rummaging in the undergrowth for food, and we listen for the howl of the coyote and the calling of the Great Horned Owls. We take some time to listen to the “quiet” of the desert night and stargaze at the numerous stars that are so visible in our dark desert skies. This is a great excursion that gets you outdoors while escaping the heat of the day.
Scorpion and Tarantula Hunts: Similar to our moonlight hikes, we start our “hunts” shortly before dark to let our eyes adjust naturally to the lack of daylight. We provide flashlights and ultra-violet (black) lights to our guests to help them “hunt” for the scorpions and tarantulas. Scorpions will actually appear iridescent in the glow of the black lights, which helps us locate them. The flashlights will help us find tarantulas and a number of other desert dwellers that are out and about during the evening hours as well. These excursions are referred to as “hunts”, but none of the animals located are ever touched or harmed in any way. It is a memorable excursion that allows you to see these animals in their natural habitat.
So that is it in a nutshell! Come see for yourself why the Sonoran Desert is considered to be the most diverse desert in the world. You will be amazed at how alive the desert really is. Check out a couple of our summer packages now and book your tour today! Space is limited on our night hikes. Stay tuned for more fun facts about the desert and the latest happenings in our future postings. Thanks for checking out our blog!
Rattlesnake 101
March 27, 2009 by Take A Hike Arizona
Pinnacle Peak visitor
Okay, let me first say that I am not an expert when it comes to snakes. However, with that said, I do know enough about them to be able to admire them from a distance. Call me crazy, but it is always a treat to come across our desert dwelling snakes on a hike. Let me reiterate… I like to see them from a distance. I actually had a great opportunity this past week to do just that!
While out hiking on Pinnacle Peak on my way back down the trail, I turned the corner of one of the switchbacks and whoa….there it was. Surprisingly, I was one of the first to come across the rattlesnake as he crossed the trail. I say surprisingly because I have never seen the Pinnacle Peak trail so crowded! The snake must have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to pass by unhithered. Anyway, the photo at the top of this post is the one of the actual snake I saw on this hike. It was a Western Diamond-Backed Rattlesnake. After seeing this truly “pretty” snake, I thought perhaps it would be fun to share some information about these reptiles that call the Sonoran Desert home.
One interesting bit of trivia that I learned from the folks over at the South Mountain Environmental Education Center is that there are more kinds of rattlesnakes that live in the Southwest than anywhere else in North America! However, you are more likely to be struck by lightning than bit by a rattlesnake. That should be encouraging to those of you who may be fearful of hiking in areas where rattlesnakes reside. What also may be of interest to you, is that the majority of rattlesnake bite victims are younger (under 30 years of age), male, and inebriated. I think you get the picture. If you mess with the snake, it will mess with you.
Now let’s move on to the rattlesnake that comes to mind most often when talking about the desert southwest, the Western Diamond-Backed Rattlesnake. This particular snake is Arizona’s largest rattler. It can reach lengths of up to 7 feet (or more). I’ve heard that a coiled snake can strike at a distance half its body length. So if my math is correct, that means as long as I stand 30 feet away from this rattlesnake, I should be safe! Bummer. I don’t think my zoom lens is that strong.
So back to the rattlesnake. A rattlesnake is a pit viper. This means that the snake has heat sensing pits to detect warm-blooded prey and predators. These heat sensing pits are located on each side of its face between the eye and nostril. Since people are larger than most desert animals (that’s another blog post), we project a lot more heat and the rattlesnake senses that we are too big to eat. Another feature that defines a rattlesnake is the flattened, distinct triangular shaped head, elliptical pupils like cat eyes and fangs that fold back into its mouth. One of the defining characteristics of a Western Diamond-backed Rattler are the black and white bands around its tail right before the rattle.
Speaking of the rattle, many people do wonder about what exactly is inside that part of the snake’s tail that makes that rattling sound. Well, actually there is nothing inside the rattle. The rattle itself is made of hollow segments of keratin. This is the same substance that our hair and fingernails are made of. The rattling sound is created when these segments of keratin are rubbed/shaken together – think of dry leaves rustling in the wind. I cannot tell you how many times someone walking behind me brushed up against a dry bush on the side of the trail and I’ve stopped short in my tracks looking for the rattlesnake! Now for the “however”. One thing to keep in mind, contrary to popular belief, you do not always hear a rattle as a warning when you come too close to a rattlesnake. Young snakes have only what is called a “prebutton” and really cannot create the rattle sound and for one reason or another an adult rattler may be missing his rattler all together. So always keep an eye out as you hike along don’t just rely on your hearing.
So, rattlesnake 101 desert safety tips:
- Stay on the trail. You may encounter a snake on the trail, but you can see it and it can see you. Don’t go wandering about off trail where you are putting your feet down in areas that are not cleared and don’t go climbing up rocks and boulders where you are placing your hands where you can’t see them. You never know when a snake might be happily sunning itself on the boulder above you and there you go disturbing its fine day.
- If you hear a rattle, stop immediately. Look around for the source. If it’s your 8 year old nephew, then all is good (except for the 8 year old nephew). If you do see a rattlesnake, do not make any sudden moves. If you can, back away slowly to put some distance between you and the person closest to the snake. Seriously, that’s what I would do. Okay, not really. If someone is closer to the snake than you, then their hearing is not as acute as yours and you need to move them back with you away from the snake. More than likely, the snake will move along its way and you can continue your hike. Do not approach and/or try to encourage the snake to move along as it may take it as a challenge.
- It is always advisable to also wear high-topped shoes or boots for hiking in the desert.
- Lastly, stay alert and keep your ears and eyes open!
So those are the quick, (not all inclusive) rules of safety to try and avoid negative encounters with the rattlesnakes. If for some reason there is an encounter that results in the rattlesnake biting someone, the first thing you should do is call 911 immediately. Then have that individual remove all jewelry such as rings, watches, bracelets, etc. Do not apply a tourniquet, do not administer any type of drugs or alcohol or suck the venom out (now we have 2 victims), and do not apply ice. Any person bitten by a snake should be transported to the hospital without delay even if you do not think it was a rattlesnake. And you do not need to take the snake with you to show the doctors what type of snake bit the individual. The doctors will treat the symptoms not the species of the snake.
Just as an added FYI, a typical rattlesnake bite will require 20 vials of antivenin ($3,000 per vial) and a tetanus shot. But look on the bright side, it’s better than running into a rabid bobcat. Oh, did I mention we have those too?
Fun Facts about the desert
March 2, 2009 by Take A Hike Arizona
The Sonoran Desert is the most diverse desert in the world;
Did you know that:
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There are more plants and animals living in the Sonoran Desert than most forests;
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There is on average a mountain rescue in the valley every 3 days;
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If you’re thirsty, you are already dehydrated;
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There are about 500 edible plants in the Sonoran Desert;
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There have been people living in the Sonoran Desert for the past 12,000 years;
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A jackrabbit can outrun most animals in the desert;
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The creosote bush gives us the smell of the desert;
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The average person that is bitten by a rattlesnake will need 20 viles of antivenin;
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One vile of antivenin cost $3,000.00? (yikes!)
These are just a FEW of the fun facts that you’ll learn on a Take A Hike Arizona hike. Whether you are visiting the valley or a resident, the guides of Take A Hike Arizona want to make your hike to the Sonoran Desert a fun, yet safe adventure. If you are fortunate enough to visit the Sonoran Desert, why not experience, explore and enjoy it by hiking with a professional, knowledgeable guide? All of our guided hikes are designed with you in mind! We choose our trails based on your ability, needs and interests. Our guides are all CPR and Wilderness First Aid certified. We provide your water, snacks, lunch, backpacks, trekking poles and all entry and permit fees. Make the most of your time in the desert and make your hike memorable. Take a hike with Take A Hike Arizona!
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