Phoenix Board Votes to Restrict Hiking Trails During Extreme Summer Heat

Phoenix Officials Thursday to adopt a policy restricting access to some hiking trails in the extreme summer heat.

This past summer, a policy was put in place and tested at Echo Canyon and Cholla Trail in the Camelback Mountains and the Piestewa Peak trails in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve from July 13 to Sept. 30.

The trial run on the instituted policy began after several members of the Phoenix Fire Department were sent home after suffering heat exhaustion after having to make multiple hiker-related saves in a single day.

After the trial period, response from first responders said the program helped cut down on the number of mountain rescues they made on days where the valley experienced extreme heat.

The Phoenix Parks and Recreation board voted unanimously to make the measure a formal policy. It involves closing trails at Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. any day that an excessive heat warning is issued. Parking lot gates will also be closed during that time.

Signs will be posted explaining the closure.