Phoenix closed its popular hiking trails during peak hours as extreme heat descended on the region.
The following trails will be restricted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Aug. 20, city officials said in an email.
- Camelback Mountain Preserve: Echo Canyon and Cholla Trail
- Phoenix Mountains Preserve: Piestewa Peak Summit Trail and associated trails
- South Mountain Park and Preserve: Holbert Trail, Mormon Trail, Hau'Pal Loop Trail, and access to the National Trail from the Pima Canyon Trailhead
More than 200 hikers each year are rescued from Phoenix desert and mountain parks and preserves, according to city officials.
During extreme heat warnings, hiking is strongly discouraged from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all Phoenix trails, the city said.
Extreme heat warning issued
The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning due to "dangerously hot conditions" in metro Phoenix through 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, according to the warning online. Temperatures could reach up to 112 degrees in metro Phoenix.
For ways to stay cool, check the Maricopa County extreme heat
page for ideas. You also can call 211 in Maricopa County to find a free cooling center, transportation, water and more.
Hiker rescued with 104 degree core body temperature
A woman was rescued last weekend while hiking a trail on Camelback Mountain, according to the Phoenix Fire Department.
On Aug. 16, a female hiker was in critical condition after her core body temperature had reached 104 degrees while hiking Camelback Mountain, Phoenix fire officials said. Firefighters were dispatched around 11 a.m. to the Echo Canyon Trailhead for the hiker, who was found halfway up the mountain.
The woman was hoisted off the mountain by helicopter. At the trailhead, firefighters used cold-water immersion therapy to aid the woman, who was in an "altered state," according to Phoenix fire officials. She was transported to a hospital.
How to stay safe while hiking during the summer
To stay safe, the weather service advised people to drink water or electrolytes, wear lightweight and light-colored clothing and limit direct sun exposure during extreme heat.
People who must remain outdoors should drink water about every 20 minutes, take regular breaks and seek shade or air conditioning when possible.
Hikers should also avoid the hottest part of the day and watch others for signs of heat illness.
Overexposure can cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion to develop and, without intervention, can lead to heat stroke, the weather service said.
Republic reporters Tevian Whitehurst and Rey Covarrubias Jr. contributed to this report.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix hiking trail closures in effect due to extreme heat
