Hiker Suffers Heat Exhaustion on San Diego Trail, Hospitalized

SAN DIEGO, CA — A hiker was taken to a hospital Sunday after suffering heat exhaustion on a trail in the Rancho Penasquitos neighborhood.

At 2:40 p.m. Sunday, first responders were sent to Los Peñasquitos Canyon, on Park Village Road, to assist the person, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The unidentified hiker was with three others, roughly one mile past the waterfall.

A helicopter transported the hiker to a nearby Sharp Hospital, according to the department. The person's condition was not disclosed.

In related news, San Diego County on Friday announced the August closure of three parks in connection with rising summer temperatures.

According to a county news release, the parks are El Capitan Preserve, near the community of Lakeside; Hellhole Canyon Preserve, in Valley Center; and Mt. Gower Preserve, in Ramona.

The county shuts the parks down every August "to protect residents during what is often the hottest time of the year," officials said.

The county also suggested safety tips for hikers this summer, including:

-- Choosing hikes appropriate for their skills and physical condition, and hiking with others;
-- Checking weather forecasts and being familiar with the terrain;
-- Informing someone of their location, and when they plan to return (as cell phone reception may be difficult in remote areas); cell phones are not reliable because they can lose reception in remote areas.
-- Bringing a backpack with nonperishable food and plenty of water (one quart is recommended for every two to three miles), extra sunscreen, a flashlight, first aid kit, multipurpose tool or knife and a whistle;
-- Wearing a hat, sunglasses and sturdy boots;
-- Dressing in layers of breathable, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing as a way to prevent sunburn;
-- Leaving their dogs at home, as canine companions can become overheated; and
-- Following posted safety rules and printing out a trail map.