Prepare for the Trail
Read the sky. Respect the desert.
Las Vegas conditions can change quickly. Heat, wind, cold mornings, thunderstorms, and limited shade all shape how we prepare and when we walk.
Before You Leave
Check conditions twice.
24 hours before
- Review the forecast and trail notices
- Check wind, heat, rain, and lightning risk
- Confirm the group message for changes
Before departure
- Check the updated hourly forecast
- Bring layers for the actual conditions
- Carry more water than you expect to need
On the trail
- Watch the sky and one another
- Speak up early if you feel unwell
- Turn back when conditions stop being safe
Group decisions: A walk may be shortened, rerouted, delayed, or cancelled when heat, wind, lightning, flooding, visibility, or trail conditions create unnecessary risk.
National Weather Service — Las VegasCheck Your WalkDesert Signals
Conditions that require attention.
Heat
Headache, dizziness, nausea, unusual fatigue, confusion, or stopped sweating are reasons to stop, cool down, hydrate, and seek help.
Lightning & flooding
Leave exposed ridges and washes when storms approach. Never enter a flooded wash or cross moving water.
Cold & wind
Desert temperatures can drop quickly. Bring a wind layer and avoid relying on the afternoon forecast alone.