General Hiking Info

Where To Hike

There are a million places to hike in Arizona and neighboring states. For the immediate Tucson area, a good book to start with is "Betty's book":

Tucson Hiking Guide by Betty Leavengood

There are also a couple of useful web sites listing hikes:

• HikeArizona
• LocalHikes

We have collected also a number of maps of hikes taken by Ramblers.

Hiking Essentials

For day-hikes (any hikes not involving overnight camping) you should bring the following stuff:

• Water! At least two litres for a half-day of hiking, 3 litres for a full day. Avoid caffeinated and fruit beverages, as they promote dehydration.
• Sunblock, hat and sunglasses.
• Hiking boots or sturdy hiking shoes. Tennis shoes and especially sandals are not recommended on our rocky trails. Spare socks may be useful.
• Basic first-aid, especially for treating blisters. For blisters: bandage, moleskin or molefoam, small scissors, and a small bottle of disinfectant are good.
• Food. Anything that won't melt!
• Map(s). Always familiarize yourself with the hike you are going on beforehand, so you will not be completely at a loss if you get separated from the group. A compass also is not a bad idea.
• A spirit of adventure!

Hiking Safety

Things can go wrong even on a simple day hike. You could get separated from the group, become lost, sprain an ankle, or be caught in a sudden storm involving cold temperatures and cold rain. All of these risks are magnified if you are hiking by yourself to begin with: always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

The first priority in any of these situations is to ensure that you are able to stay alive, and the two primary threats to life are:

• Lack of water
• Getting too hot or too cold

The third priority is getting yourself out of the wilderness, either by finding your way or being rescued.

It makes sense to pack a few simple items which can dramatically improve your odds of survival should your "simple day hike" go bad. (All of these suggestions are based on the book "98.6: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive", by Cody Lundin).

• A space blanket, to keep warm or cool. Available at any outdoor store. Very light.
• A poncho or large garbage bag to keep off rain and help cut wind.
• Several ways to make fire, e.g. waterproof matches, lighter, and vaseline-soaked cotton balls to get it started.
• A collapsible container to hold any water you find, plus iodine to treat it with. A tube to get water from crevices.
• Cell phone. Certainly the quickest way to be rescued, if it works.
• A loud whistle to help rescuers locate you. This will work alot better if you told someone where you were going.
• Flashlight, in case you are not home by dark.

You may want some other things too or some substitutes for these things. Read the book cited above and make your own judgement.

Hike "Ratings"

Hikes are sometimes "rated" according to the Sierra Club's system, to provide an indication of the length and elevation change involved. The higher a hike's rating, the more physically challenging it is. It's generally a good idea to do a few "C" or "B" hikes before trying an "A" hike. If you're used to hiking in more moderate climes, it's a good idea to acclimate yourself gradually to the desert.

"A" : More than 16 miles or more than 3,000 feet of elevation change

"B" : 8 to 16 miles and between 1,500 and 3,000 feet of elevation change

"C" : 3 to 8 miles and between 500 and 1,500 feet of elevation change

Often, a subjective plus or minus will be added to the rating, to reflect conditions of weather and terrain. Ultimately, the rating system is slightly subjective, so please speak up with any questions you have. It's helpful to talk to others who've been on hikes and know the lay of the land. Ramblers' greatest asset is the collective experience of the members!

The rating does not indicate the quality of a hike. A "C" hike can be just as scenic and interesting as an "A" hike. For this reason, we talk about hikes in advance and on the mailing list to describe outstanding features, such as particularly nice views or the presence of water, wildflowers or other wildlife.