Why Hiking At 1PM Is An Overall Bad Idea

Last night I suffered a headache so bad that this morning my brain actually feels like it's been bruised.

Apparently, even if you survive hiking out of the canyon at the hottest part of the day (barely), you'll still suffer for it later. When I climbed out yesterday, my skin was so hot I could double as a radiator. So I found myself a nice, covered bus stop and laid on the bench for about half an hour.

Later when I got home, I was still burning up so I took a cold shower and stretched out on the couch for a few hours. The sun paired with that hike completely sapped me of all my energy. You don't think that could happen, as most of us have spent more than a few hours in the sun. Just not on a strenuous hike where you gain 1,131 feet of elevation in about a mile and a half to 7,000 feet (at the trailhead).

Now I understand why people get so sick (and die) hiking that trail. I finally experienced that heat and have to say I never, ever, want to again. Ever.