Hello Hikers!

I don’t know about you guys, but I am DONE with this heat. Since we don’t have A/C at our house, I have actually been looking forward to going to work each day so I can enjoy the climate controlled office. That’s just not right! The good news is the National Weather Service is predicting both rain and cooler temperatures for the first half of the week. Bring it on!

Please remember that even if you decide to go out hiking in the heat, please leave your dogs at home! There are reports of two dogs dying in separate events on Cowles Mountain last week due to the heat. Dogs cannot sweat and don’t regulate their body temperature as easily as humans can, so are much more susceptible to heat stress.  Leave the pups at home.

Next Saturday evening, check out the Sunset Hike and Amateur Astronomy Night at Santa Ysabel Preserve West. Join Park Attendant Bill Augustus in a short hike. Once we return to the staging area, we’ll view the skies above the Santa Ysabel West Preserve. Test your knowledge of the planets and constellations on this moonless night. Please bring a flash light, warm clothing and a jacket as the temperature will drop after sunset. Bring Binoculars or a Telescope if you have them. All Astronomy skill levels are welcome! Our hike will be approximately 1.5 miles long. Visit the County Parks and Recreation Guide for more information, or visit our Events Page to find even more upcoming hikes and events.

If you need some rain or cold weather gear to get ready for the upcoming El Nino, Amazon currently has 50% off or more on Columbia Women’s Outerwear.

New Sierra Trading Post customers can get $10 off their first purchase of $30 or more by signing up through this link. Sierra Trading Post has great deals on brand name hiking and outdoor gear – up to 70% off the retail price!

Have a good week!