Night hikes beat the heat but still dangerous
With summer-like temperatures over the past couple of weeks some hikers are going up our local trails at night to beat the heat.
Last Thursday a 41-year-old man was found dead on the Murray Peak Hiking Trail in Palm Springs. This Tuesday a 61-year-old man was found dead on the Bump and Grind Trail in Palm Desert. The cause of the deaths has not yet been confirmed.
Temperatures continue to climb as we get closer to the official start of summer and hiking out doors can be especially dangerous. Some people, intent on continuing their outdoor exercise, have turned to hiking at night. The cooler temperatures are inviting, but experienced hikers disagree with how safe hiking at night can be.
“If they are experienced on taking a hike I don’t see a problem with it, but if you’re not and you’re not prepared than it is a problem. Then you can get lost, you can fall and get injured,” said Josie Meza who has been hiking in the desert for years.
“I don’t agree,” said Sandra Martinez who just finished a hike on the Bump and Grind Trail. “Not even if you’re experienced I don’t think you should hike in the dark with a flashlight, because your hands should be free and I don’t encourage hiking in the dark.”
Hiking at dusk and dark has it’s own dangers.
“We not only encourage the hydration and nutrition being an issue with the dangers for hikers but we have also seen a lot of snakes today,” Lt. Evan Peterson with the Riverside Coutny Sheriff’s Department said.
It’s not just the wildlife hikers would need to keep in mind. It’s what happens if they get injured. In the cloak of darkness it can be hard for search and rescue to find a down hiker. There is always the chance that your cellphone might not work up on some of the trails.
“That just adds to the complexity of the people who rely on their phones, the phone don’t always work the best up here, and so we have to worry about GPS and having all those kinds of things to get them out safely,” said Peterson.
If you intend on hiking after the sun sets, make sure you have water, a flashlight, a charged cellphone, and also tell someone where you are going and when you intend on being back.
