campgrounds in locations ranging everywhere from 1,700 to 9,000 feet in elevation. You’ll experience major changes in temperature, weather, and plant life as you change elevations. Knowing the campground’s elevation, listed in each profile’s Key Information box, will give you an idea of what conditions to prepare for.
The summer monsoon season lasts from mid-July through early September. Expect heavy afternoon rains nearly every day, and be aware that the rain can sometimes turn to hail at higher elevations. Bring a tarp to cover your gear, and carry a poncho or rain jacket. These pouring rains often fall on soil that’s too dry or stony to absorb them, making monsoon season prime flash-flood time. Always place your tent with an eye to drainage and never take chances when trying to cross a flooded wash, no matter how big your vehicle is.
The rainy season is also part of the fire season, as lightning strikes spark many forest fires. Many other fires, sadly, are caused by carelessness. Always douse your campfires completely; we carry a 6-gallon jug of water in our truck specifically for that purpose. Keep your campfire under control and below knee level, or better yet, use a gas stove, which does less damage to the ground and roots beneath. Seasonal fire restrictions are no joke, and the penalties for disregarding them are serious.
FIRST AID KIT
A useful first aid kit may contain more items than you might think necessary. These are just the basics. Prepackaged kits in waterproof bags (Atwater Carey and Adventure Medical make them) are available. As a preventive measure, take along sunscreen and insect repellent. Even though quite a few items are listed here, they pack down into a small space:
• Ace bandages or Spenco joint wraps
• Adhesive bandages
• Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin or the generic equivalent)
• Antiseptic or disinfectant, such as Betadine or hydrogen peroxide
• Aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Advil)
• Butterfly-closure bandages
• Comb and tweezers (for removing ticks from your skin)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, in case of allergic reactions)
• Epinephrine (EpiPen) in a prefilled syringe (for severe allergic reactions to outdoor mishaps such as bee stings)
• Gauze (one roll and six 4-by-4-inch compress pads)
• LED flashlight or headlamp
• Matches or lighter
• Moist towelettes
• Moleskin/Spenco 2nd Skin
• Pocketknife or multipurpose tool
• Waterproof first aid tape
• Whistle (for signaling rescuers if you get lost or hurt)
FLORA AND FAUNA PRECAUTIONS
WILD CREATURES
You may be concerned about encountering wildlife such as rattlesnakes, scorpions, black bears, wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions. Be aware, however, that your chances of even glimpsing most of these critters are actually pretty slim—they’ll usually go out of their way to avoid you.
You will possibly encounter rattlesnakes in any area in this book. Rattlesnakes like to bask in the sun and won’t bite unless threatened. However, the snakes you most likely will see while hiking will be nonvenomous species and subspecies. The best rule is to leave all snakes alone, give them a wide berth as you hike past, and make sure any hiking companions (including dogs) do the same. When hiking, stick to well-used trails, and wear over-the-ankle boots and loose-fitting long pants. Do not step or put your hands beyond your range of detailed visibility, and avoid wandering around in the dark. Step onto logs and rocks, never over them, and be especially careful when climbing rocks. Always avoid walking through dense brush or willow thickets.
Photo: Charles Liu
Follow these few simple rules to reduce the chance of an up-close-and-personal wild-animal experience:
• CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF IN CAMP. Store food and toiletries in your vehicle or a bearproof container, or hang them from a tree—don’t keep them in your tent.
• DON’T LEAVE SHOES OR OTHER GEAR outside of your tent overnight, or be sure to shake them out before using them.
• KEEP TRACK OF YOUR KIDS, and leash your pets.
• DON’T STICK YOUR HANDS AND FEET into places where you can’t see.
If you encounter a wild animal, give it plenty of space, and don’t provoke it. You’re much more likely to be endangered by elk and deer (and cows) while you’re on the road than by bears, mountain lions, and the like. As the four-part warning signs along some of Arizona’s highways say: “Elk are large / In herds they run / Across the highway / Don’t hit one!”
POISONOUS (AND PAINFUL) PLANTS
Arizona is known for its prickly plants. To protect themselves from predators, many desert plants have spikes and spines instead of leaves. The safest way to avoid a run-in with them is to stay on maintained trails, keep kids in sight, and keep dogs on a leash. Carry a comb to remove such prickly hangers-on as jumping cholla (right).
Photo: Kelly Phillips
You may not think of poison ivy as a desert plant, but it’s actually quite common in Arizona’s riparian habitats. Recognizing poison ivy and avoiding contact with it are the most effective ways to prevent the painful, itchy rashes associated with this plant. Poison ivy (left) ranges from a thick, tree-hugging vine to a shaded ground cover, 3 leaflets to a leaf. Urushiol, the plant’s oily sap, is responsible for the rash. Usually within 12–14 hours of exposure (but sometimes much later), raised lines and/or blisters will appear, accompanied by a terrible itch. Try not to scratch—dirty fingernails can cause an infection, and in the best case you’ll spread the rash to other parts of your body.
Photo: Kelly Phillips
Wash the rash with cold water and a mild soap or cleanser such as Tecnu, and dry it thoroughly, applying calamine lotion or a topical cortisone cream to help soothe the itch; if the rash is painful or blistering is severe, seek medical attention. Note that any oil that gets on clothing, boots, and the like can keep spreading its misery for at least a year if you don’t thoroughly clean it off, so wash everything that you think could have urushiol on it, including pets.
Another plant found in riparian habitats and disturbed sites is poison hemlock (right). It has hollow stems, and its toxin is potent enough to kill children who put the stems in their mouths. Hemlock is very close in appearance to Queen Anne’s lace—look for the purple-spotted stems to identify
