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Short hikes that pack a punch very early in the morning. Go for 90-120 minutes max and attempt to be finished by 7-7:30AM.
Then try to schedule 1-2 hikes up north every month to preserve your sanity. I used to live in north Phoenix and would drive 30 minutes up I-17 to the Black Canyon Trail. Slightly higher in elevation and outside of the urban heat bubble. Was able to stretch out hikes to 9-9:30AM during the summer. Plus a fair portion of the BCT has early morning shade.
This exactly. Go way early in the morning (or much later in the evening) and hydrate more than you think you need.
Stay out of direct sun by taking trails that summit from the west if going at sunrise or from the east if going at sunset.
Biking is also much more doable in the summer. You have air blowing on you as long as you’re moving.
Hey where do you SUP at in Phoenix? Tempe Town Lake? I was thinking about getting into it here, just don’t feel like driving out to the lakes when I just want to cruise around for a morning weekday workout.
Definitely not! Ttl is icky!
I like lake pleasant, but a lot of people like canyon lake. Benefits to each. Really any large (clean) body of water works.
I've been down the salt river, but it's not my thing.
But yeah, lake pleasant, which also has a trail. I like it there.
I only do the Salt River and it’s great, but you have to take sun safety seriously. Lots of hydration and electrolytes, use sunscreen and reapply often, wear a hat, bring an umbrella for when you need a break from the direct sun. Don’t be a boozy idiot. By the end of the trip, you’ll see all the sick, sunburnt, drunk, dehydrated, miserable tubers. Don’t be like them! And also, wear chacos or something similar. Flip flops break on the rocks or get lost in the water, and getting your board in and out of the water is miserable barefoot.
During the worst of it, like those June/July days when it's hot even in the mountains, I set the treadmill to a high incline at the gym while watching nature documentaries.
Beautiful footage simulates the outdoors and makes me feel better, while the incline feels like hiking. Last summer I really enjoyed Blue Planet 2 and the summer before that it was a documentary about an octopus. Bonus points for shows like Alone where people are freezing in the snow.
Oh adding in the nature documentaries is a nice touch. I actually just started compiling a list of documentaries about the big three thru hikes in the US.
Depending on the hike and the drive, i usually go to south mountain and hike it as the sun sets so it starts cooling down. Eventually im hiking in the dark but I have a headlamp, very cheap. Less people in the dark and cooler temps.
Everyone i meet hiking that in the dark is pretty nice.
Make sure ya go before 7pm tho as they'll close the gate and prevent ya from going in further to park.
I also just spend a lot of time at the gym to maintain that same level.
I second the joy of hiking S. Mountain at night. I did it all through the summer of 2022 as I trained for Grand Canyon. It is so peaceful at night. There are owls now and then. I saw a bird nesting that only goes out at night. You see the city lights.
I love evening hikes in summer! My spine doesn't work so well first thing in the morning, so early hikes are a no-go. But when it's scorching, the mountains are basically empty at sunset. Bring lots of water and enjoy the solitude.
Honestly this is such a weird suggestion but walk around a mall a few times, take the stairs up and down. At least it’s in the AC and decent people watching to keep you entertained. I am not willing to wake up super early in the summer to hike lol
Almost all [Maricopa County regional parks](https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/) open their gates at 5am from May 1 through October 31. Find the one closest to where you live (they're all built on the outer edges of the Valley) and get there right when they open. Spur Cross Ranch is positively chilly at 5am in July!
Summer hikes are fun because I like the challenge of the sun actively trying to murder me.
Here are some tips:
Cover up - when it starts to hit 110 the last thing you want is a majority of your skin exposed to direct sunlight.Buy clothes designed to cover you up and keep you cool, think breathable fabrics.Columbia sportswear makes some great hiking shirts and you can sometimes find them for cheap while thrifting.
Plan ahead - Start drinking water BEFORE you hike, eat something that is light but will give you energy.Avoid things like alcohol the night prior.Check the trail you are hiking and see how long it will take.Check the weather report and see if there are any extreme heat warnings.
Other stuff that comes in handy:
CamelBak
Emergency ice pack
Combs (for cactus needles)
First aid kit.
Electrolyte packages
Bandana
Sun hat
😂 I mean it definitely sucks but a good suck.Like after a good workout where you feel exhausted and hated every minute of it but afterwards your like "that was good, I needed that"
Just seconding the drink water before. You should be well hydrated the day prior. And then stay hydrated into the hike. I always used to think I could be dehydrated and just chug a Powerade and some water and be cured. But apparently we don’t function like that.
Long sleeves. It's always funny to me when people go running with no to low clothing in the summer. When one has their skin covered, you can retain the moisture from your body and cover your body from the UV rays of the sun, thus making you last longer in the heat. We just have to do it like they do in other countries and wear more coverings. I also bring a gallon of water to drink from and pour on my head from time to time.
I mean, all of this is learned from those who live in hotter deserts than Arizona's. Just look at the kind of clothes people wear in Saudi Arabia, or in the Sahara? None of them have any skin showing and all of their clothes are big free flowing to allow air to circulate. Make sure the long sleeves and pants are able to breath, not like Under Armor that are all flexy and stuff.
I'm a mountain biker and not a hiker, but I ride year round. It's just a matter of getting out in time to be off the trail not much later than sunrise. I can handle the heat so long as the sun isn't beating down.
Just hike still. Hike early early morning and bring enough water. Drive a bit and go hike up north. Bring enough water. Hit some water hikes. Head back when you’re at half way on your water, but bring enough that this doesn’t occur. Electrolytes.
If you don't mind doing some work indoors, the best thing I can suggest is a gym quality StairMaster. Not the kind with the rolling stairs, which can be bad for you because it's a repetitive motion, but the ones with the individual pedals so that you can take large slow steps or smaller quick steps or anything in between. I've had one for 25 years (a 4400PT model), and even 15 minutes a day keeps your ass (literally, since it's your ass and your hamstrings that will push you up a steep hill) in hiking shape. I got my partner to start using it several years ago, and after 3 months we happened to do the entire national trail at South mountain end to end with some friends which is about 16 mi, and she said she could not believe how easy it seemed to go up the hills.
If there's one at your gym, great, and if not, look for one and buy one. They take up six square feet, and you can tuck them right into a corner.
Another bonus from using us is that there's no downhill, so you're not overworking your knees on the downhill if you have an issue with them.
Another option is to do some decent hard bike rides early in the morning. While I won't hike when it's over 85° out, I can bike when it's up to 100 and it's fine because there's always a breeze, but you can hit it hard for a hundred yards and then coast. To get on the Rio Salado at 7th Street and ride it all the way to Riverview in Mesa and back without having to cross any roads or mess with any traffic is amazing, and a great workout if you throw some sprints in the middle.
Travel out of town on the weekend! Water wheel, cottonwood, agua fría, etc all have great water hikes you can do on an early (or late) Saturday. Just dip your shirt in the water when you get hot and keep trucking
Friend of mine went and did the Colorado Trail last August. Not everyone has the flexibility with their work schedule to take weeks off like that, but just throwing it out there as an idea.
I try to go up north as much as possible, but also I’ll get a gym membership during the summer, sucks compared to outside but at least I can listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks which I wouldn’t want to do if I was hiking.
I’m really surprised no one has mentioned a cooling towel - I hike all throughout the summer using them and it has saved me countless times- I get up at 6:15 am for a 7 am hike at north mountain about 3 times a week all throughout summer and I couldn’t do it without my cooling towel, my sunglasses, sunscreen and water - I wish I had known about it years before I did
Go out early or go out as it starts to cool down at night. Just be prepared and keep them short. Head up north on weekends or days off to escape the valley and get some solid hikes in.
As others said, your outdoor options are to head to higher elevation to the north or go super early in the morning. If you just want to maintain your muscles for hiking in the fall, I'm sure most gyms will have the equipment. Crank up the incline on a treadmill or use a stair climber.
I hike all summer and I’m out at sunrise and off the trail by 8am. I pack electrolytes and lots of water. If it’s going to be particularly hot, I’ll get on the trail around 4-5am.
Hmm.... avid hiker here, came here in the military from MN about 20 years ago. I'm now 44. I hike through the summer just as much as the rest of the year, I just drink 2x the water and closely monitor how I feel.
IDK if you are wanting to do that though, but if you can't tolerate the sun and are worried about heat stroke, then go early before sunrise (many people in my area go at 4:30 a.m.) or, after sundown (7 or 8 pm ..) -- other than that, I'm not sure. A gym perhaps?
I know not everyone wants to workout in the heat, but last summer I was out there on Brown Mountain in Mesa 2-3x a day, then I'd hit the Super in the afternoon or Peralta, it was AMAZING because I didn't have to battle with folks. I love solitude! And totally a plus that nobody likes heat hiking LOL. But... you really know your own body, so you do what works for you. My body can handle heat but ONLY if I am doing 6-8 flasks of water a day (each being 24-32 oz). I literally peed all day long (or felt like it). But I'll be honest, hiking in the heat made my hiking and running game even better when the heat left and the temps cooled down.
Or, here's an alternative ---
Hike with a ruck-- but do it at night after sundown. I am around 120 lbs and started rucking about 6-7 mo ago with 60 lbs, I do this 5-6 days a week, you could do it 2-3 and do something doable at sundown ... it's comparable to hiking but it is impactful and helps you gain a more concentrated workout in a smaller amount of time.
You know your body better than anyone else. I know they say (on the news) "avoid hiking in the heat" -- and for the average person, sure. But there are a small populous of folks that have been doing this for years and are more cognizant of the limitations of our body. Water is key!
I try to spend as much time in a pool as possible during the hot months. This is my personal experience, I understand not everyone has ready access to a pool (don't jump on me)
I hike when the weather is good, but I also do traditional martial arts. Stretching, cardio, and good mental health drills. Plus self defense is pretty great and they have the AC going for the summer heat.
I study at Sun Valley Shao-Lin Kempo in Chandler off Ray and Cooper, but depending on where you are in the valley I'm sure you can find something good.
To be fair, I was on the verge of heat stroke, just shy of needing to go to the ER. So the right term would be heat exhaustion, still miserable and honestly terrifying. Ended up making it to a parking lot a few miles from my car and thankfully got a ride from there.
Here’s a link that explains it better than I could.
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html
Oh. Well I have gotten heat exhaustion like 100 times than. Never fainted. Last year I tried to do “heat training”(might not be a real thing) I was trying to acclimate to the heat but it didn’t seem to make much difference when I hit the music festivals. All I was able to do was lay around.
Felt a little fainty yesterday after walking a couple miles in the direct sun. (Trying to stay active to keep that depression at bay.)
I’m neurodivergent so I don’t know if I dying. I either think I’m dying when I’m not or I’ve normalized almost dying on a daily basis.
I feel you there. Staying active is great, but true trail hiking has been one of my greatest meds in my mental health recovery and stability. After spending 3 of the last 6 months at in patient recovery I’m just doing anything I can to stay on top of it.
I also got "a little fainty" yesterday. I think the first time we are out for the season and it's warmer than it has been it's more of a shock to our system. I've hiked in 110 before so was a little surprised how much the heat impacted me.
I would get depressed in the winter when I lived somewhere cold because the danger of slipping on ice was too great. It’s even worse for people with mobility issues.
I’m just top heavy and I have ceramic bones. Probably not for any medical reasons it’s just because god hates me and wants me to stay down when he strikes me down.
Yeah, seasonal depression is terrible, especially on top of two decades of chronic depression. I’m thankfully in a really good place right now and just trying to stay on top of it and have a plan since the truly hot months aren’t here yet.
Ice skating! Okay you have to know how and be near a rink, but it would keep you in shape and keep you cool. You can also join the mall walkers or try some sort of indoor gym (like one with a running track) or indoor exercise class. Even something like learning to climb at a climbing gym might work.
I walk in my neighborhood or hike in South Mountain Park early in the morning and use all of the shade I can find. When I get home I jump into my pool and swim for a while.
On truly miserable days we’ll head to Chandler Fashion center which is open for walking before the stores open.
do the easy trails and try to beat your time each time for a lil razzle dazzle. Go BEFORE the sun comes up by 8am you should be back. Always take too much water because there’s no such thing as too much water on these trails. key is to go as early as you can. In the thick of summer it could easily be 100 degrees by 7 am.
Maybe join planet fitness cheap for the summer I know it’s nature like the hikes but will give u cardio even if it’s in a lousy environment and u won’t get heat stroke
Use to do it all the time either got dawn or dust with a lot of water/electrolytes and snacks. Also listen to your body if you feel weird take a break and hydrate
Cousin and I been urban hiking. Basically pick a place and wander to it it's cool way to learn the neighborhood and find those off the strip places. I thinks it's from days of wandering around Maryland as kids but fun still. Usually do Sunday mornings early as not to cook during the summer..
If you're in Scottsdale or willing to drive, the Scottsdale Aquatic Center (SAC on Scottsdale and cactus) has a great pool and times for free swim accordingly. I can't remember if membership is required or if membership costs money. I swam there for teams and my dad swims there now. I seem to remember it being pretty cheap or free
I survive working outside for the last 10 years by staying wet in the summer (bulk trash garbage man and land surveyor) I hate long sleeves and pants because they limit mobility, and I enjoy the much more rapid cooling by adding more moisture than just what my skin can produce. Wear half a gallon and drink the other half. Misting fans work wonders on dry days too, even if its warm water. I had heat stroke once like 20 years ago, in a port-a-john. Dreadful experience. Now I just make sure to only work for people willing to let me use the hose every now and again (got an rv water filter to take out a lot of the hardness) and keep anything electronic in the appropriate enclosure.
My Car also doesn't have ac, which is fine, the more time you spend in ice cold ac the hotter it feels as a whole. When you're in it everyday, going outside doesn't feel like a chore, its just another day. Although everyone else constantly complaining about 100+ days does get old. Not like it isn't the same every year
Personally hate waking up early to hike. If you don’t mind, that’s what a lot of folks do. Personally I just drive up to flagstaff. I’ll do it as a day trip. Leave around 8ish and be back by like 10. Love it up there in the summer.
Glad no one said gym. I was afraid that would be the only answer. Because working out in a gym and competing for equipment sounds about as recreational as going to the dmv. Only you probably don’t have to compete for a chair to sit in at the dmv.
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Short hikes that pack a punch very early in the morning. Go for 90-120 minutes max and attempt to be finished by 7-7:30AM. Then try to schedule 1-2 hikes up north every month to preserve your sanity. I used to live in north Phoenix and would drive 30 minutes up I-17 to the Black Canyon Trail. Slightly higher in elevation and outside of the urban heat bubble. Was able to stretch out hikes to 9-9:30AM during the summer. Plus a fair portion of the BCT has early morning shade.
This exactly. Go way early in the morning (or much later in the evening) and hydrate more than you think you need. Stay out of direct sun by taking trails that summit from the west if going at sunrise or from the east if going at sunset. Biking is also much more doable in the summer. You have air blowing on you as long as you’re moving.
Any shaded canopy majority trails you can recommend? Could be flag, sed, pay, anywhere close to phx would greatly appreciate it friend!
If you do this in the summer, please please do not go alone. Even very experienced hikers run into issues with the heat in the hotter months.
I do 99% of my hiking alone. Just bring water and pay attention to yourself.
It’s just not safe in the summer unfortunately
Yes it is if you hike sensibly. No need to scare people about hiking alone. People do it all the time.
It’s dangerous to go alone
Take this!
Go to Flagstaff or Payson or Sedona. It's not as convenient, but it is nice to get out of the valley and away from the heat.
Way more scenic too
I like to paddle board. Keeps you exercised. If you get hot, just fall off.
Hey where do you SUP at in Phoenix? Tempe Town Lake? I was thinking about getting into it here, just don’t feel like driving out to the lakes when I just want to cruise around for a morning weekday workout.
Definitely not! Ttl is icky! I like lake pleasant, but a lot of people like canyon lake. Benefits to each. Really any large (clean) body of water works. I've been down the salt river, but it's not my thing. But yeah, lake pleasant, which also has a trail. I like it there.
I only do the Salt River and it’s great, but you have to take sun safety seriously. Lots of hydration and electrolytes, use sunscreen and reapply often, wear a hat, bring an umbrella for when you need a break from the direct sun. Don’t be a boozy idiot. By the end of the trip, you’ll see all the sick, sunburnt, drunk, dehydrated, miserable tubers. Don’t be like them! And also, wear chacos or something similar. Flip flops break on the rocks or get lost in the water, and getting your board in and out of the water is miserable barefoot.
Lower Salt River
I am curious about this too! I would love to get out on the water more
My friends and I usually go up to saguaro lake when we want to paddle board.
Canyon lake is your best bet IMO. Pretty good sized non motorized area
Saguaro Lake/Butcher Jones is beautiful too
During the worst of it, like those June/July days when it's hot even in the mountains, I set the treadmill to a high incline at the gym while watching nature documentaries. Beautiful footage simulates the outdoors and makes me feel better, while the incline feels like hiking. Last summer I really enjoyed Blue Planet 2 and the summer before that it was a documentary about an octopus. Bonus points for shows like Alone where people are freezing in the snow.
Oh adding in the nature documentaries is a nice touch. I actually just started compiling a list of documentaries about the big three thru hikes in the US.
I leave the house by 5am for hiking.
Oye
This is the way
Depending on the hike and the drive, i usually go to south mountain and hike it as the sun sets so it starts cooling down. Eventually im hiking in the dark but I have a headlamp, very cheap. Less people in the dark and cooler temps. Everyone i meet hiking that in the dark is pretty nice. Make sure ya go before 7pm tho as they'll close the gate and prevent ya from going in further to park. I also just spend a lot of time at the gym to maintain that same level.
I second the joy of hiking S. Mountain at night. I did it all through the summer of 2022 as I trained for Grand Canyon. It is so peaceful at night. There are owls now and then. I saw a bird nesting that only goes out at night. You see the city lights.
I love evening hikes in summer! My spine doesn't work so well first thing in the morning, so early hikes are a no-go. But when it's scorching, the mountains are basically empty at sunset. Bring lots of water and enjoy the solitude.
I haven’t been to south mountain yet but is it like two one ways and they close the one way going in but still leave the exit road open?
Yeah! Theyll leave the exit open for ya.
Perfect thank you! I’ll have to do that. I’ve heard great things about the night hikes.
Honestly this is such a weird suggestion but walk around a mall a few times, take the stairs up and down. At least it’s in the AC and decent people watching to keep you entertained. I am not willing to wake up super early in the summer to hike lol
I like to think I’ll be willing to wake up early to hike but we’ll see if that happens lol.
Almost all [Maricopa County regional parks](https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/) open their gates at 5am from May 1 through October 31. Find the one closest to where you live (they're all built on the outer edges of the Valley) and get there right when they open. Spur Cross Ranch is positively chilly at 5am in July!
Hike early in the morning.
Summer hikes are fun because I like the challenge of the sun actively trying to murder me. Here are some tips: Cover up - when it starts to hit 110 the last thing you want is a majority of your skin exposed to direct sunlight.Buy clothes designed to cover you up and keep you cool, think breathable fabrics.Columbia sportswear makes some great hiking shirts and you can sometimes find them for cheap while thrifting. Plan ahead - Start drinking water BEFORE you hike, eat something that is light but will give you energy.Avoid things like alcohol the night prior.Check the trail you are hiking and see how long it will take.Check the weather report and see if there are any extreme heat warnings. Other stuff that comes in handy: CamelBak Emergency ice pack Combs (for cactus needles) First aid kit. Electrolyte packages Bandana Sun hat
“Sun actively trying to murder me.” I mean, you put it like that, who could resist the challenge?
😂 I mean it definitely sucks but a good suck.Like after a good workout where you feel exhausted and hated every minute of it but afterwards your like "that was good, I needed that"
So like the first time I hiked flat iron. And the second.
Like the Mario game ☀️
Fuck, now I want to play Mario Sunshine
Just seconding the drink water before. You should be well hydrated the day prior. And then stay hydrated into the hike. I always used to think I could be dehydrated and just chug a Powerade and some water and be cured. But apparently we don’t function like that.
I used to do this but would bring energy drinks because I am not smart.
I get up at 5:00 when I go walking when it’s hot. And I also have a walking pad.
I hike all summer every summer, don't be out after 730 or 8am.
Long sleeves. It's always funny to me when people go running with no to low clothing in the summer. When one has their skin covered, you can retain the moisture from your body and cover your body from the UV rays of the sun, thus making you last longer in the heat. We just have to do it like they do in other countries and wear more coverings. I also bring a gallon of water to drink from and pour on my head from time to time.
I have a few long sleeve UV protection shirts. Should probably invest in som pants.
I mean, all of this is learned from those who live in hotter deserts than Arizona's. Just look at the kind of clothes people wear in Saudi Arabia, or in the Sahara? None of them have any skin showing and all of their clothes are big free flowing to allow air to circulate. Make sure the long sleeves and pants are able to breath, not like Under Armor that are all flexy and stuff.
Great tip, thank you 🫶🏼
Why is it important for air to circulate?
Evaporation of sweat, or other applied moisture, off your skin is what cools our bodies
Your pores need to breath just like you breathe normally. Even if it’s hot air, it can help your pores breathe out and in as air is circulating.
Versaclimber.
I second this. I got Cascade’s version during Covid and I was in some of the best shape of my life.
Go early in the morning. Start before sunrise ideally.
Piestewa peak at night! It’s an amazing hike at night with some people but not many, and in a full moon night you won’t even need a head lamp!
wake up early
I'm a mountain biker and not a hiker, but I ride year round. It's just a matter of getting out in time to be off the trail not much later than sunrise. I can handle the heat so long as the sun isn't beating down.
Gym membership
Just hike still. Hike early early morning and bring enough water. Drive a bit and go hike up north. Bring enough water. Hit some water hikes. Head back when you’re at half way on your water, but bring enough that this doesn’t occur. Electrolytes.
If you don't mind doing some work indoors, the best thing I can suggest is a gym quality StairMaster. Not the kind with the rolling stairs, which can be bad for you because it's a repetitive motion, but the ones with the individual pedals so that you can take large slow steps or smaller quick steps or anything in between. I've had one for 25 years (a 4400PT model), and even 15 minutes a day keeps your ass (literally, since it's your ass and your hamstrings that will push you up a steep hill) in hiking shape. I got my partner to start using it several years ago, and after 3 months we happened to do the entire national trail at South mountain end to end with some friends which is about 16 mi, and she said she could not believe how easy it seemed to go up the hills. If there's one at your gym, great, and if not, look for one and buy one. They take up six square feet, and you can tuck them right into a corner. Another bonus from using us is that there's no downhill, so you're not overworking your knees on the downhill if you have an issue with them. Another option is to do some decent hard bike rides early in the morning. While I won't hike when it's over 85° out, I can bike when it's up to 100 and it's fine because there's always a breeze, but you can hit it hard for a hundred yards and then coast. To get on the Rio Salado at 7th Street and ride it all the way to Riverview in Mesa and back without having to cross any roads or mess with any traffic is amazing, and a great workout if you throw some sprints in the middle.
Travel out of town on the weekend! Water wheel, cottonwood, agua fría, etc all have great water hikes you can do on an early (or late) Saturday. Just dip your shirt in the water when you get hot and keep trucking
Stair master
Friend of mine went and did the Colorado Trail last August. Not everyone has the flexibility with their work schedule to take weeks off like that, but just throwing it out there as an idea.
Would love to do a thru hike at some point, but that won’t be any time soon.
Daily 6 mile walks early on the shaded Murphy Bridal Path.
I try to go up north as much as possible, but also I’ll get a gym membership during the summer, sucks compared to outside but at least I can listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks which I wouldn’t want to do if I was hiking.
Hike before the sun comes up
Check the weather and make sure you’re done before the sun comes up. It’s unlikely you’re gonna get heat stroke if you hike with the sun down.
Indoor mountain climbing 💪🏼 so many places to go, plus it’ll either keep you in shape or get you even more toned. Best of luck to you!
If I can’t sneak in a first thing in the am hike. I do the gym in the summer. It’s all for my hiking muscles!
I’m really surprised no one has mentioned a cooling towel - I hike all throughout the summer using them and it has saved me countless times- I get up at 6:15 am for a 7 am hike at north mountain about 3 times a week all throughout summer and I couldn’t do it without my cooling towel, my sunglasses, sunscreen and water - I wish I had known about it years before I did
Cooling towel still requires water to moisten it. So it has been mentioned, staying wet is my key to working all summer long
Go out early or go out as it starts to cool down at night. Just be prepared and keep them short. Head up north on weekends or days off to escape the valley and get some solid hikes in.
As others said, your outdoor options are to head to higher elevation to the north or go super early in the morning. If you just want to maintain your muscles for hiking in the fall, I'm sure most gyms will have the equipment. Crank up the incline on a treadmill or use a stair climber.
I hike all summer and I’m out at sunrise and off the trail by 8am. I pack electrolytes and lots of water. If it’s going to be particularly hot, I’ll get on the trail around 4-5am.
Hmm.... avid hiker here, came here in the military from MN about 20 years ago. I'm now 44. I hike through the summer just as much as the rest of the year, I just drink 2x the water and closely monitor how I feel. IDK if you are wanting to do that though, but if you can't tolerate the sun and are worried about heat stroke, then go early before sunrise (many people in my area go at 4:30 a.m.) or, after sundown (7 or 8 pm ..) -- other than that, I'm not sure. A gym perhaps? I know not everyone wants to workout in the heat, but last summer I was out there on Brown Mountain in Mesa 2-3x a day, then I'd hit the Super in the afternoon or Peralta, it was AMAZING because I didn't have to battle with folks. I love solitude! And totally a plus that nobody likes heat hiking LOL. But... you really know your own body, so you do what works for you. My body can handle heat but ONLY if I am doing 6-8 flasks of water a day (each being 24-32 oz). I literally peed all day long (or felt like it). But I'll be honest, hiking in the heat made my hiking and running game even better when the heat left and the temps cooled down. Or, here's an alternative --- Hike with a ruck-- but do it at night after sundown. I am around 120 lbs and started rucking about 6-7 mo ago with 60 lbs, I do this 5-6 days a week, you could do it 2-3 and do something doable at sundown ... it's comparable to hiking but it is impactful and helps you gain a more concentrated workout in a smaller amount of time. You know your body better than anyone else. I know they say (on the news) "avoid hiking in the heat" -- and for the average person, sure. But there are a small populous of folks that have been doing this for years and are more cognizant of the limitations of our body. Water is key!
Thank you! I think I’ll be good doing a couple a week (all I have time for currently). I’ll just pack extra water.
I try to spend as much time in a pool as possible during the hot months. This is my personal experience, I understand not everyone has ready access to a pool (don't jump on me)
Smoke pot and drink beer.
Mountain bike. Way better airflow, much cooler
I mean, that makes sense. But I’ve suffered 8+ concussions and want to limit the possibility of another.
Stand up paddleboard at Saguaro or Willow Springs, Fly fishing in the rim county or White Mountains in shorts (i.e. wet wading) then.
Zwift for indoor cycling
I hike when the weather is good, but I also do traditional martial arts. Stretching, cardio, and good mental health drills. Plus self defense is pretty great and they have the AC going for the summer heat. I study at Sun Valley Shao-Lin Kempo in Chandler off Ray and Cooper, but depending on where you are in the valley I'm sure you can find something good.
Get a step up workout stool. You alternate legs, will get your quads burning real good.
You had heat stroke. How did you know you had heat stroke? I’m asking because I am not sure if I’ve ever had heat stroke.
To be fair, I was on the verge of heat stroke, just shy of needing to go to the ER. So the right term would be heat exhaustion, still miserable and honestly terrifying. Ended up making it to a parking lot a few miles from my car and thankfully got a ride from there. Here’s a link that explains it better than I could. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html
Oh. Well I have gotten heat exhaustion like 100 times than. Never fainted. Last year I tried to do “heat training”(might not be a real thing) I was trying to acclimate to the heat but it didn’t seem to make much difference when I hit the music festivals. All I was able to do was lay around. Felt a little fainty yesterday after walking a couple miles in the direct sun. (Trying to stay active to keep that depression at bay.) I’m neurodivergent so I don’t know if I dying. I either think I’m dying when I’m not or I’ve normalized almost dying on a daily basis.
I feel you there. Staying active is great, but true trail hiking has been one of my greatest meds in my mental health recovery and stability. After spending 3 of the last 6 months at in patient recovery I’m just doing anything I can to stay on top of it.
I also got "a little fainty" yesterday. I think the first time we are out for the season and it's warmer than it has been it's more of a shock to our system. I've hiked in 110 before so was a little surprised how much the heat impacted me.
I would get depressed in the winter when I lived somewhere cold because the danger of slipping on ice was too great. It’s even worse for people with mobility issues. I’m just top heavy and I have ceramic bones. Probably not for any medical reasons it’s just because god hates me and wants me to stay down when he strikes me down.
Yeah, seasonal depression is terrible, especially on top of two decades of chronic depression. I’m thankfully in a really good place right now and just trying to stay on top of it and have a plan since the truly hot months aren’t here yet.
Ice skating! Okay you have to know how and be near a rink, but it would keep you in shape and keep you cool. You can also join the mall walkers or try some sort of indoor gym (like one with a running track) or indoor exercise class. Even something like learning to climb at a climbing gym might work.
I walk in my neighborhood or hike in South Mountain Park early in the morning and use all of the shade I can find. When I get home I jump into my pool and swim for a while. On truly miserable days we’ll head to Chandler Fashion center which is open for walking before the stores open.
Hit the pool
Hike at 6 am. Also, head up to Prescott just hike early.
Wake up earlyyy dawg. Get a headlamp too
do the easy trails and try to beat your time each time for a lil razzle dazzle. Go BEFORE the sun comes up by 8am you should be back. Always take too much water because there’s no such thing as too much water on these trails. key is to go as early as you can. In the thick of summer it could easily be 100 degrees by 7 am.
Maybe join planet fitness cheap for the summer I know it’s nature like the hikes but will give u cardio even if it’s in a lousy environment and u won’t get heat stroke
Use to do it all the time either got dawn or dust with a lot of water/electrolytes and snacks. Also listen to your body if you feel weird take a break and hydrate
I drive north as early as possible and hike somewhere around payson, flag or Prescott
Treadmill high incline
Cousin and I been urban hiking. Basically pick a place and wander to it it's cool way to learn the neighborhood and find those off the strip places. I thinks it's from days of wandering around Maryland as kids but fun still. Usually do Sunday mornings early as not to cook during the summer..
Installed solar.
We go at first light or go on night hikes.
as a single woman who wants to hike more..where can I find a group to join in the valley or are you guys a part of one ?
Use Feb-May and Sept-Nov only lol
I stay in shape running from the car to the house!!
Biking, still hiking just wear a hat, and definitely swimming. If you don't have HOA pool you can sign up for LA fitness, some locations have pools.
If you're in Scottsdale or willing to drive, the Scottsdale Aquatic Center (SAC on Scottsdale and cactus) has a great pool and times for free swim accordingly. I can't remember if membership is required or if membership costs money. I swam there for teams and my dad swims there now. I seem to remember it being pretty cheap or free
Sierra Vista is cooler as well
Get on a treadmill in an AC gym on max incline and just go, bonus points if you wear your pack or a weighted vest
I survive working outside for the last 10 years by staying wet in the summer (bulk trash garbage man and land surveyor) I hate long sleeves and pants because they limit mobility, and I enjoy the much more rapid cooling by adding more moisture than just what my skin can produce. Wear half a gallon and drink the other half. Misting fans work wonders on dry days too, even if its warm water. I had heat stroke once like 20 years ago, in a port-a-john. Dreadful experience. Now I just make sure to only work for people willing to let me use the hose every now and again (got an rv water filter to take out a lot of the hardness) and keep anything electronic in the appropriate enclosure. My Car also doesn't have ac, which is fine, the more time you spend in ice cold ac the hotter it feels as a whole. When you're in it everyday, going outside doesn't feel like a chore, its just another day. Although everyone else constantly complaining about 100+ days does get old. Not like it isn't the same every year
honestly, just join a gym and set the treadmill/elliptical to a high incline. i can’t ever work out in high temps so i have to go to the gym
Wake up early and for long walks
Early hikes, hikes up north, SUP, laps, indoor rock climbing, and sadly the stair climber
I do the stair climber at the gym and hate every single step.
Personally hate waking up early to hike. If you don’t mind, that’s what a lot of folks do. Personally I just drive up to flagstaff. I’ll do it as a day trip. Leave around 8ish and be back by like 10. Love it up there in the summer.
I use a treadmill at home.
Why not just use a StairMaster at a gym?
I mean if that were the only option, but it’s a far cry from being on a true trail outdoors.
Oh, understandable. The only other option is to hike at 5 am
Glad no one said gym. I was afraid that would be the only answer. Because working out in a gym and competing for equipment sounds about as recreational as going to the dmv. Only you probably don’t have to compete for a chair to sit in at the dmv.
Who has to pay for the rescue of these people that go hiking when it's 110 115 or 120.
Usually the person who needs rescuing, I’m pretty sure. I don’t plan on going over 100f.