VIDEO: Phoenix Fire officials are urging hikers to take precautions on the city’s more than 200 miles of trails amid record-setting heat expected this weekend. The warning comes as Phoenix enters peak tourist season, with visitors from across the country arriving for spring training while temperatures climb well above normal.
With records likely to fall, First Alert Weather Days have been issued for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. First responders conducted 108 hiking rescues in 2025 and 159 in 2024, underscoring the risks posed by heat — often extreme during the summer — and inadequate preparation. “Hydration is so key to having a successful hike,” said Phoenix Fire Captain Todd Keller. “That means hydrating the night before, during your hike, and after your hike.”
Camelback Mountain accounted for 44 of last year’s hiking rescues, the highest number among Phoenix trails. Other popular but challenging trails include Piestewa Peak and Echo Canyon Trail at Camelback, which Captain Keller compared to “double black diamonds” in skiing terms.
