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If you’ve stepped outside in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, or Louisiana any time in the last few weeks, you already know — summer showed up and it did not ease in gently. Triple digit heat indexes, humidity that hits you like a wall, and trails that can go from “pleasant morning walk” to “dangerous” faster than most folks expect. I’ve guided hikes through more brutal Texas summers than I care to count, and I want to share what actually keeps people safe out there — not just the generic “drink water” advice you see everywhere.
Start Way Earlier Than You Think You Need To
By 9am in July, a lot of our regional trails are already uncomfortable. My rule of thumb: if you’re hiking more than a couple miles, be on the trail by sunrise. Not only is it cooler, you also avoid the worst of the sun exposure on trails that don’t offer much shade — which, let’s be honest, describes a lot of our terrain around here.
Water Is Not Optional, and More Than You Think
A good baseline is about a half liter per hour of moderate hiking in heat, and that number climbs fast with exertion or direct sun exposure. I’d rather see someone hike with a pack that feels a little too heavy with water than run short two miles from the trailhead. If you’re out for more than an hour, bring electrolytes too — plain water alone won’t replace what you’re sweating out, and that’s when people start feeling foggy, crampy, or nauseous.
Know the Difference Between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
This is the one I really want people to walk away understanding:
• Heat exhaustion looks like heavy sweating, weakness, cool clammy skin, nausea, and headache. Get the person into shade, cool them down, get fluids in them, and rest.
• Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Watch for hot, dry or flushed skin, confusion, rapid pulse, and in some cases the person stops sweating altogether. If you see this, call 911, get the person cooled down by any means available (wet cloths, shade, fanning), and don’t wait to see if they improve on their own.
Knowing this difference has mattered more than any piece of gear I’ve ever carried.
Dress and Pack Like the Heat Is the Real Opponent
Loose, light-colored, moisture-wicking clothing. A wide-brim hat. Sunscreen reapplied, not just slapped on once at the trailhead. And don’t skip a way to cool your neck and wrists — a bandana you can wet at a creek crossing does more work than people expect.
Pick Your Trail With the Season in Mind
Not every trail that’s great in October is a good idea in July. Look for routes with tree cover, water access, or shorter mileage options so you’re not committed to hours of full sun exposure. If you’re not sure which of our regional trails handle summer heat well, that’s exactly the kind of thing I love talking through — feel free to reach out.
Listen to Your Body, Not Your Itinerary
The number one mistake I see is people pushing through early warning signs because they don’t want to “ruin” the hike. Turning around early because you’re overheated isn’t failure — it’s exactly the kind of decision that keeps you coming back to the trail for years instead of learning the hard way.
Stay cool out there, stay hydrated, and I’ll see you on the trail.
— Ray
