Desert travel can be spiritually invigorating, but it can also be dangerous. Any drive or hike in the Las Vegas area must be approached with caution.

• Check on road, trail and weather conditions before heading out.

• Fill your gas tank as often as possible.

• Bring reliable road and trail maps.

• Pack the 10 Essentials for each person.

• Pack at least a gallon of water per person per day.

• Tell someone where you are going and when you will return.

• Be prepared for extreme weather. Avoid travel on summer afternoons, when temperatures can reach 120 degrees and thunderstorms and flash floods are most common. If caught in a rainstorm, leave low-lying areas immediately. In the mountains, temps can drop below freezing and snow and hail are possible, even in summer. If caught in a lightning storm, seek shelter among trees that are taller than you. Crouch on your pack to avoid lightning ground splash.

Move on to Adventurous Escapes

Return to Top

Matt Purdue is an award-winning freelance writer and magazine editor based in Southern California. He is currently writing an outdoor adventure guide to Nevada. He can be reached at mattp@curtco.com.