Coronavirus: Hikers 'Overrun' Pima County Trails; More Rescues

TUCSON, AZ — Over the past three weeks, as stay-at-home orders went into effect in Arizona, search and rescue teams found themselves especially busy in Pima County. A surge of hikers are crowding trails in the Tucson area at a time when the normal dangers — such as dehydration, injury, and getting lost — are leading to a significant increase in rescue calls.

"We're seeing more people out on the trails during the week," says Andy Lamb, a member of the Southern Arizona Rescue Association. "The parking lot of Catalina State Park seems to be full even in the middle of the week, where typically we wouldn't see any."

Lamb himself says he's participated in five recent rescue responses, including one call that involved a hiker with a broken ankle; Lamb says she became stranded after her trail partner, who had returned to a parking lot in order to call for help, had been unable to retrace the path.

It's not just the possibility for injury that worries Lamb — it's the need for social distancing. Instead of packing popular trails, he suggests that hikers look at Tucson Mountain Park, or one of the many other trails in Pima County.

But the sheer number of hikers appears to have bumped up the number of emergency calls. Pima County Sheriff's Department recorded 21 calls for rescue in just the past three weeks, averaging one per day.

James Allerton, the sheriff's department's public information officer,told news station KOLD that the rate is "higher than normal" and noted "a lot of people going out to the trails don’t necessarily always go out hiking [but] it’s one of the few recreational things available right now."

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The popularity problem is having an effect. Currently, the website for Catalina State Park — where Lamb says he spotted full parking lots even mid-week — features a banner on its homepage that seems directed at its influx of visitors: "Please choose a different park or come at off-peak hours (after 2 p.m.). Please be responsible and practice social distancing."

Valerie Samoy, a special staff assistant for Pima County’s Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Department, advises hikers to research potential trails before arriving.

"Our trails are really overrun in Pima County," she says, and adds that if you see crowded parking lots at trail heads, "Go somewhere else, because we have hundreds of miles of trails."

For more information on public trailheads and coronavirus safety, check out Pima County's guide here. And while you're looking for that trail less traveled, make sure to read the park department's comprehensive social distancing etiquette guide. Here's a shortened version:

Social Distancing Tips

• If you are sick or exhibiting symptoms of illness, stay home.
• Parking is limited at trailheads. If you arrive at a trailhead and the parking lot
  is full, be prepared to go elsewhere. A full trailhead parking lot means trails will be busy too.
• Maintaining a minimum physical distance of 6-feet from each other is paramount EVEN outdoors. Keep your groups to LESS than 10 people.
• When passing other trail users, keep moving past them.
• Avoid touching park infrastructure such as signs, park benches, etc.
• Remember to take hand sanitizer or wipes with you to keep hands clean.
• Do not litter – pack it in, pack it out. However, DO NOT pack out
  someone else’s litter.
• Know your limits and your environment. Do not put yourself at risk of harm
  and thus first responders and medical facilities.
• Avoid touching your face – cover your cough or sneeze.