The National Weather Service has issued an extreme Heat Warning through this Sunday. Temperatures are expected to reach 110 degrees. Hikers should be prepared to use extreme caution. All hikes should be planned to begin at or before sunrise and end by 10:00 AM or planned to not begin until after 4:00 PM.
Hiking in the middle of the day is not recommended. Summer temperatures on exposed parts of Joshua Tree National Park trails can reach over 120° F in the shade. Hiking in extreme heat can lead to serious health risks including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hyponatremia, and death.
More information on hiking smart in the heat at Joshua Tree National Park can be found at the following website: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/hiking.htm.
