Hiking in the White Mountains

Mount Baldy and the trails surrounding Greer offer some of the most beautiful hiking in Arizona. They also take you into a high-elevation environment where weather, terrain and distance can turn a relatively simple hike into a serious situation very quickly.

Over the past several weeks, the Greer Fire District has responded to multiple incidents involving hikers in our backcountry, including rescues on Mount Baldy and the Thompson Trail. Fortunately, our crews and the other agencies we work alongside have been able to get these hikers safely out of the backcountry. These calls are also a good reminder that even well-traveled trails deserve preparation and respect.

High Elevation Changes the Equation

Much of the hiking around Greer takes place between roughly 8,000 and 11,000 feet in elevation. If you are visiting from the Valley or another lower-elevation area, your body may not be accustomed to exercising at that altitude.

You may become tired or short of breath much sooner than you expect. Headache, nausea, dizziness and unusual fatigue can also be signs that the altitude is affecting you. Don't assume that because you can comfortably hike several miles at home, you can necessarily maintain the same pace or distance here.

Slow down, take breaks and pay attention to what your body is telling you. Turning around early is always preferable to discovering several miles from the trailhead that you no longer have the energy to get yourself back.

The Weather Can Change Very Quickly

A warm, sunny morning in Greer does not guarantee a warm, sunny afternoon on Mount Baldy.

During our summer monsoon season especially, thunderstorms can develop rapidly over the mountains. Temperatures can drop considerably with elevation and changing weather. Rain, hail, strong winds and lightning can arrive with surprisingly little warning.

Check the forecast before leaving, but don't rely on the forecast alone.

Dress in layers and carry enough clothing to remain warm and reasonably dry if conditions change. A lightweight rain shell, an insulating layer and a dry layer can make an enormous difference if you become wet, injured or unexpectedly have to spend several hours waiting for assistance.

Don't head into the high country dressed only for the weather you see at the trailhead.

Wear Real Footwear

Mount Baldy and our surrounding trails are not the place to discover that your shoes aren't appropriate for several miles of uneven terrain.

Wear sturdy, comfortable hiking shoes or trail-running shoes with good traction. Your footwear should already be broken in and appropriate for rocks, mud, roots and wet surfaces.

Good footwear doesn't just make a hike more comfortable. It reduces your chances of a fall, ankle injury or foot problem that can leave you unable to walk yourself out.

Bring Water. More Than You Think You'll Need

Dehydration can develop quickly at altitude, particularly when you're exerting yourself in our dry mountain air.

Carry adequate water for the entire hike and don't count on finding safe drinking water along the trail. For longer hikes, consider carrying electrolytes as well.

Bring food, too. Even on a hike you expect to complete in a few hours, having some high-energy snacks in your pack gives you a reserve if the trip takes longer than planned.

A little extra water and food weigh far less than they feel like they do when you actually need them.

Have a Plan and Give That Plan to Someone Else

One of the simplest safety measures you can take costs nothing:

Tell someone where you're going.

Before leaving, make sure a family member or friend knows:

• Which trail you are hiking.

• Where you plan to start.

• Approximately when you are leaving.

• Your expected route.

• When you expect to return.

• When they should become concerned if they haven't heard from you.

If your plans change, let that person know.

Cellular service in our backcountry can be inconsistent or nonexistent. Your phone is a useful tool, but it should not be your entire emergency plan. Download maps for offline use before leaving and keep your phone charged. For people who spend significant time hiking in remote areas, a satellite communication device can provide another important layer of safety.

Know When to Turn Around

This may be the most important advice I can give. Have a set turn around time and stick to it. The summit will still be there tomorrow.

If thunderstorms are building, someone in your group isn't feeling well, you're running low on water, you've lost the trail, you're moving considerably slower than expected, or something simply doesn't seem right, turn around.

There is no shame in changing your plan.

Some of the most consequential decisions in the backcountry aren't dramatic ones. They're the small decisions made an hour or two earlier that determine whether you walk back to your vehicle or eventually need someone to come looking for you.

If You Do Need Help

If you have an emergency and have cellular service, call 911. Give the dispatcher as much information as possible about your location, your condition, the number of people in your group and what equipment or supplies you have with you.

Once a backcountry rescue begins, getting responders to you can take time. Our firefighters have to travel the same terrain you did, often carrying medical and rescue equipment and sometimes doing so in darkness or poor weather.

That is another reason the clothing, water and supplies in your pack matter. They may need to keep you safe not just during your hike, but while you're waiting for rescuers to reach you.

Enjoy Our Mountains - Just Come Prepared

We don't want people to be afraid of hiking Mount Baldy, the Thompson Trail or any of the other beautiful trails around Greer. Quite the opposite. We live and work here in part because this is an extraordinary place, and we're happy to see people enjoying it.

We simply want you to come prepared.

Check the weather. Dress in layers. Wear appropriate footwear. Carry water and food. Know your route. Tell somebody where you're going and when you'll be back. And be willing to turn around when conditions tell you it's time.

A little preparation before you leave the trailhead can prevent a very long day for you and for the people coming to find you.

Stay safe and enjoy the high country.

Rye Sluiter Fire Chief Greer Fire District