SUMMERHAVEN, Ariz. — Two days of dangerous heat with the excessive heat warning ending at 8pm Wednesday.
Many people decided they didn’t want to suffer in the heat another day and made their way out of the desert.
Summerhaven on Mt. Lemmon is at an elevation of nearly 8,000 feet. It runs about 20 degrees cooler than Tucson, but a good day hike can still work up a thirst.
“I’ve got extra water for her,” said Martha Price.
Price and her dog grace weren't the only ones on the trail.
“Yeah there's lots of dogs up there, and people,” said Price. “Old people, young people, and even people with backpacks and tents.”
It’s obvious what brought so many people up on a Wednesday.
“109° ridiculous, too hot,” said another hiker.
Anything to avoid the excessive heat.
“Tucsonans know where to go,” said Mt. Lemmon General Store Manager Leanne Mack. She says her biggest rush usually comes after hikers have stopped for lunch and swing by the store for a piece of fudge. And she says she knows how jealous people must be to see how nice the weather looks up here.
“Yes a lot of my friends and family in Tucson are extremely jealous.”
People we talked to say they don't feel guilty at all for taking the drive to enjoy the day outside.
