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| - I have to say this was an amazing hike that really got my heart pumping. I just started getting back into hiking and I'm far from in shape and even I was able to make it up the mountain. I'm not going to lie, it took me well over an hour and 54 oz of water but I made it without passing out and rolling down the hill like a fat barrel in a game of Donkey Kong, knocking out other hikers along the way. I pushed on to make it because I remembered 3 other yelpers making the comment that, "the juice is worth the squeeze." Kept that in my mind the whole time I was going.
The view from the top, it was amazing but I did slightly expect it to be a little bit better. Although I guess what do you expect when you're in the city. Could have been the date and time I went but there were not long distant blue skies like I had seen in other yelper photos. It was a little polluted above phoenix on this day and the view was blurred out a little. I was slightly bummed I risked my heart exploding in my chest for a scene of the pollution. But that will not stop me from checking this place out again the day after a rain when it cleans the air from a good portion of pollution in the sky.
Suggestions, I will say to arrive EARLY. I don't know about other times of years but I've gone at sunrise and sunset. Sunrise the parking lot was already packed at 5am and I'm guessing that's because we all had the same idea to avoid the heat. Well, that was their idea at least, mine thoughts were just wanting the least amount of witnesses if I tripped and fell down the mountain. I would prefer sunrise over sunset, only because the one time I went at sunset that seemed to be the time all the creepy crawlies came out. While hiking at night I ran into a baby rattle snake still developing it's rattler, scorpions, tarantulas (which are harmless), and a ton of bugs that were attracted to my headlamp and felt the need to dance on my headlamp and forehead. I haven't ran into anything while hiking the morning so far.
Suggestions for anyone out there not in shape like me. A few things that really help cut the heat is to wet your hair and shirt immediately before hiking, they both dry rapidly but it feels so good the first 30 minutes you're hiking up there. Or wet a bandana and wear it. Take a backpack and carry extra water, I could have used 3 bottles of water instead of the 2 I had. I'm telling you AZ heat kills and I see people all the time in the ER and they are usually the ones that are avid hikers caught off guard. I usually freeze two bottles of water and take one normal cold bottle. This way if I feel overheated I can rest the ice bottle on my neck. The heat melts it fast enough I can drink it.
Also, take as many breaks as you need. I see a lot of people on the mountain apologizing to their more fit friends for not being as fast and then trying to push themselves. I had to talk them into being slow and steady to win the race or being the idiot on the news who pushed themselves and had to be removed via helicopter. FYI your insurance doesn't cover stupid. Those ER bills and helicopter bills are insane. Just be smart.
I'm also not ashamed to take an umbrella. You won't see people do it that often but if you didn't leave early enough in the morning and you're caught in that sun, you'll be grateful for that umbrella blocking the heat from most of your body. I carry a cheap one when I hike in case I ever see someone overheated I will gladly give it to them so they can sit and rest in some shade. I open it and close it as I need it, pack it away in my backpack, no shame and I get a few envious looks from people wishing they had one. Also be kind, move over for the more professional hikers. I know I don't move fast but why should I hold up anyone else's workout. They do appreciate when you move over. I would also suggest good shoes. It's not going up that will kill you, it's coming down and rolling your ankles a thousand times.
Be smart, have fun, take your time when you need it and it's a hike well worth it.
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