A hiker has died at Saguaro National Park west of Tucson — possibly of heat-related causes, park officials reported.
The 34-year-old hiker, Bradley Hughes of Geneva, Ill., was found dead on the Gould Mine Trail on Saturday afternoon, May 27, the officials said. They noted that he “had an empty hydration bladder and no other water with him when he was found. Heat or dehydration may have been a factor.”
The high temperature in Tucson on Saturday was 96 degrees.
“The combination of very hot and very dry weather can quickly lead to dangerous situations,” park spokeswoman Andy Fisher said in a news release. “The park would like to advise visitors to be extremely careful if they choose to hike this time of year.”
Chief ranger Ray O’Neil advised hikers to “get an early start and plan to be back before 10 a.m. Carry more water than you think would be necessary and be sure to turn back before that water is half gone. Check the weather forecast. If predicted high temperatures are above 110 degrees, consider delaying your hike entirely until the weather cools down.”
