Saturday, February 16, 2013

Hiking in the Desert

When hiking in the desert there are some things that we are quickly learning.
1. Drink, drink, drink...water that is. Even when it isn't hot it's so dry that dehydration comes on fast. Which means you drink on the way to the hike, while you hike, when you rest, while your hiking more, on the way home and when you get home. Even then you sometimes don't pee for a while, it's totally crazy. But worth it.
2. Always carry pliers just incase someone miss steps and gets a visit from some cactus thorns. Usually this is Olive but occasionally David or I get attacked by the lovely "Teddy Bear Cholla" a cactus that's name would make you think "how soft and cuddly" but be forewarned.
3. Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are a necessity even in February!
4. Watch out for the many poisonous creatures that blend into the background - scorpions, rattlesnakes, tarantulas
5. Keep your eyes peels for the fuzzier but just as dangerous animals - bobcats, mountain lions, mule deer and the list goes on
6. Different from New England, almost everyone here will strike up a conversation with you so plan extra time for your hike
7. Check the weather even though 99% of the time it say it's going to be sunny, dust storms blow in quicker than we ever thought.
8. Bring a map, even though 99% of the time you can see your car the whole hike and see the trail in the distance all the way to your destination because the vegetation is so low to the ground. But a map is necessary because there are so many random trails that pop up it can be hard to stay on the one you planned to.
9. Hike in the early early morning in the summer (get off the mountain by 8am or you will burn to a crisp), and in the late morning/afternoon in the winter
10. Names to all different types of desert vegetation - teddy bear cholla, joshua trees, saguaro, organ pipe cactus, barrel cactus, prickly pear, ocotillo, yucca, rainbow cactus, hedge hog cactus, pin cushion cactus and so many more.

Come visit and we'll take you on some pretty mind blowing hikes!!!

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