Railfanning in the desert - What to expect

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Of all the site pages that are in this website, this one is the most important.  This site page will help you enjoy the railroads in the southwest, but more importantly, how to stay healthy while doing it.  This is serious.  The uninformed visitor to the deserts of the southwest can have a railroad trip ruined if proper precautions are not taken. 

I advise anyone who is planning a trip to the southwest, print this page and refer to it as needed.  Newcomers to the area can be quite surprised by the extremes offered by nature in the desert areas.  These areas include the entire states of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada along with portions of Oklahoma, Texas, and the southern part of California.

This information is not to scare you out of coming to the area, but rather to educate you as to what to expect.  Many times I have met other railfans that did not realize the extremes that this area offered.  For a safe and enjoyable railfan trip, make sure that you have a current weather forecast, your vehicle is in proper working order, and you have the necessary supplies.  Ok, so you think you are ready to go?...Lets now talk details.

Before you leave from wherever you are coming from, make sure that you have a current weather forecast.  By this I mean within one or two days current.  Bear in mind, I do not mean to say that if it's going to rain, do not visit.  I just mean that with current weather information, you will be able to be much more prepared, and able to adjust your itinerary if necessary.  With an area as large and diverse as the southwest, certain weather conditions in one area might not be the same just a short couple hundred miles away.

One point that I would like to make that is more unique to the desert than maybe other parts of the country.  In the southwestern deserts, there are lots of dry river beds.  Rain water doesn't tend to soak into the ground, and so when it rains, those dry river beds can, and will, fill up rather quickly.

Pay close attention to any storms that are frequently nearby, particularly in the summer months.  Even a storm miles away can quickly make that dry river bed swollen with water and no longer passable in a very short time.  You would not want to be on the wrong side of that situation.  As you travel to some of these locations, think ahead about what you would do if you couldn't drive back through that dry river bed at the end of the day.  If there is ever any question, you could park your vehicle, and walk to where you want to go.  You can always use a railroad bridge if you absolutely have to, and there is absolutely no other choice.

     ***NOTE: At no time do I ever ADVISE anyone to use railroad property and/or cross on a railroad bridge.  I'm only saying you could use that method as you are leaving an area and as a last resort, or in an emergency, and never if you even think that a train might be nearby. ***

SUMMER

Summer is in my book, the most serious of the four seasons in the desert.  This is the time that a fun railfan trip can be turned into a disaster in just one day.  Make no mistake, in the summer, the desert can be H O T.  The months of June, July and August are the hottest with temperatures rising to over 100 degrees almost every day. 

When I moved to Las Vegas from Illinois several years ago, I heard the phrase, "Yes it is hot, but it is DRY heat".  That is so true and it makes it even more dangerous for the out-of-towner.  If you are not used to the feel of the desert sun you could get a bad burn, or develope Heat Exaustion before you even realize.  In the desert, you will not perspire as you do in other parts of the country.  This type of heat can, and has, killed.  Be safe.  Be smart.  Take appropriate precautions and you will be ok.

Along with the standard comfort supplies such as sunglasses, a folding chair, toilet paper, reading material and comfortable clothing, definately bring lots of water, something for shade, and suntan lotion.  I will not elaborate on the comfort items because they are not as important, but I will discuss the last three.

WATER!!! 

Do not take this advise lightly.  Bring and drink plenty of water.  Even if you are not "thirsty", drink some anyway.  I am a 220 lbs adult, and on a average summer day, I can easily drink over a gallon of water.  The desert in the summer, is NOT the place for a six-pack of your favorite beer, or that "Double-Gulp" of soda from a convenience store in town.  Those drinks will actually aid in the dehydration of your body.  Water is the best thing to drink to replenish the fluids that your body will naturally lose when you sweat.

Water will not only cool you off, but more importantly, keep you from the very dangerous situation of dehydration.  Dehydration is when the cells in your body lose their fluids and can no longer perform the functions that they are supposed to do.  Never let your body get dehydrated.  Start drinking early in the day, and all through the day, till after the sun goes down.  Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke are the two very serious conditions that can arise from sever dehydration.

Heat Exhaustion is when you are no longer cooling yourself off naturally as you should.  Your surface blood vessels and capillaries have become constircted by the lack of normal fluid levels, and your blood can no longer be cooled as effectively as normal.  Symptoms of this condition are, but not limited to, dizziness, headache, fatigue, heavy thirst and sweating, impaired judgement, nausea, faster pulse, and lowered blood pressure.  People with Heat Exhaustion should obviously immediately drink plenty of water, lie down possibly with their feet elevated, and not do anything strenuous.

Heat Stroke is the much more serious condition following Heat Exhaustion.  This situation is when your cells within your body no longer have any fluid and/or salt.  This is VERY dangerous.  People that have had Heat Stroke have shown the same symptoms as Heat Exhaustion but also, breathing becomes more difficult, they are no longer sweating, they exhibit completely odd behaviour, they lose their ability to make sound decisions, and develope a very high body temperature.  If left unchecked, Heat Stroke victoms can start having seizures or begin to convulse, and have a loss of consciousness and/or collapse.

It is with this reason that I recomend having a partner with you as you enjoy our hobby in the deserts.  If you show any signs of Heat Exhaustion or Stroke, 911 can still be called and appropriate steps to cool you down can be taken before the situation becomes dire.

SHADE 

If you do not have an umbrella, at least bring a wide brimmed hat.  I have even seen some railfans set up a collapsible canopy!  At the very least...a hat.  A baseball hat with a towel tucked under the back of it to drape over your shoulders and upper back is a good idea.  Do not worry about how you look right now.  One of the top ten ways to pick up women has never been...Stand in the middle of the desert in 110 degrees, and take pictures of trains.

SUNTAN LOTION 

The desert is also not the place to try to get a perfect tan.  That "dry" heat I was mentioning earlier will burn you up before you even realize.  With the lack of humidity, a person not familiar with the desert climate might not realize that they are burning badly because they are used to sweating as they are in the sun.  This is not always true in the arid climate of the desert.  You will probably not even feel a bad burn coming.  Just simply use a suntan lotion with a good ### rating.  Remember, if you do burn yourself to the point you caused blisters, try not to "pop" them.  They are your bodies way of assisting in the healing of the burn.  Use the lotion on all exposed skin and do not forget your nose, ears, and the part in your hair, if you do not have that hat.

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke are easy to prevent.  Just remember to use suntan lotion, have some shade, and drink lots of water, water, water.

WINTER 

Winters in the desert can also be surprising to the newcomer.  Even though the temperature is lower than summer, all precautions that apply in the summer, also apply in the winter.  Yes, you can still burn badly, and yes you can still get Heat Exhaustion or Stroke, although the latter not as often.  Even though it can be around 80 to 90 degrees in the middle of the day, the evenings can sometimes get downright cold.  The higher you are in elevation, the more that is true.  Any elevation around 4000 feet can get snow, and any elevation above or around 6000 feet definitly will.

Still also use the suntan lotion in the day during winter, and stay in the shade as much as possible, and still drink plenty of water.

SPRING AND FALL

Fall is not really that remarkable weather-wise, but Spring is.  Spring is an interesting time in the desert.  The plants and general foliage seem to come alive with often times vibrant colors as they bloom again.  Greener hillsides with yellow, violet, and sometimes blue flowers now make for a beautiful addition to your photos.  Quite a contrast to the dominant grays, and browns in the desert the rest of the year especially in the Fall.

LOCAL INHABITANTS

In most of the southwest United States that I've described so far, you will also have to be aware of the local inhabitants.  I'm not talking about the local people you might meet, no.  I'm talking about the spiders, scorpions, various lizards, and of course, the rattlesnake.  Remember this rule of thumb; The farther away you are from places that look like our houses...The closer you are to theirs.

The main reason I carry a folding chair is not for comfort, but rather to keep away from the tarantulas, spiders, scorpions and lizards.  Try not to sit directly on the ground if you can.  Pay close attention if you are climbing on, or sitting on some rocks.  You do not want to have an unwanted visitor climbing up your arms or legs.  Also look before you put your hand somewhere.  It is good that most of the dangerous animals or insects that you might encounter in the desert are nocturnal, but you still do not want a surprise introduction.  If you did get bitten or stung, forget the trains right now and seek medical attention at once.

Synonomous with the deserts of the southwest United States is their most recognized resident...the rattlesnake.  There are many different types of rattlesnakes that make their homes in many areas of the United States, and since this is not a book on snakes, I will not go into any great detail about the dozens of species.  Just be aware of some of the facts about these rather incredible creatures that will help you avoid them.

First, they are more afraid of you than you are of them.  They will do almost anything to avoid you.  If you do encounter a rattler, STOP and try to go back from where you came.  A rattler usually can only strike a distance of no more than two-thirds their body length.  Since a full grown rattler is rarely longer than 6 feet, if you are more than 5 feet away, it is a good possibility that you are out of the "strike zone".  Do not push your luck though.  Always respect the potential danger that this animal has toward a human.  If bitten, seek immediate medical help.  In this instance, seconds count.  Do your best not to panic.  That will quicken your heart rate which will move the toxin quicker throughout your body.

Like most desert inhabitants, rattlers are also mostly nocturnal.  Pay close attention to where you are walking especially in the early morning hours when they are most likely looking for food.  Never put your hands or feet where you haven't looked first, and do not look for any desert creatures under any rocks, fallen trees, in bushes, or around rocky ledges.

If you do see a rattler, please do not kill it if you can help it.  They play an important role in the eco-system of the desert by helping control the rodent population.  Most likely, an encounter with a rattler will result in it running away from you so fast that you will probably barely see it as it goes into any nearby grass, or rocky ledge.  In the years that I have been throughout the southwest, I have yet to get a picture of a rattler.  I have heard one and the only one I ever saw (I think) was doing its darn level best to run away from me as fast as possible.  Just be smart and you will probably never see one either.

One of the most important pieces of railfan gear that I have purchased lately is a pair of "snake proof" boots.  (Item number 0001580)  They were made by "Rockyboots" and I can now walk in the tall grass to places that I would have NEVER gone before.  They are extremely durable and surprisingly comfortable.  Another plus is that they offer more traction than any regular shoe.  They are made of a very flexible nylon fabric that will protect you from a bite of any snake or spider.  Visit their website at www.rockyboots.com for more information.

One more important point to make before we leave this subject.  If you ever do find a small snake and do not know what it is, do not try to pick it up.  A baby rattler might not have developed any rattles yet to warn you, but has the same amount and potency of venom as a full grown rattler.  There are other snakes that live in the desert, but I would prefer not to describe the differences in all of them.  Remember, if you are in the desert and see any type of snake however big or small, leave it alone.

YOUR VEHICLE

A little needs to be said about the vehicle you will be driving in the desert.  You need to be smart with it also.  Bring with you some water for it and some extra coolant.  A quart or two of the proper oil might be a good idea.  Check several times to be sure that all fluids are full, and that the tires are properly inflated.  Also important to check the spare tire, crowbar, and the jack.  The many dirt roads that you will travel on in the desert are not the place for those spare tire "doughnuts".  If you have one of those, I'd replace it with one or two, real size spare tires.

If you are renting a car, get at least a midsized car.  Jack up the car as if to change the tire to make sure the jack fits and works, the tire fits the car, and that the crowbar actually fits the lugnuts of the wheel.  (I will never admit to the circumstances that led me to learning that situation the hard way).

OTHER STUFF

In alot of places in the desert (Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico) you will be in an unpopulated area.  I mean not a soul for miles.  Your cell phone might not work in all areas.  So, let a friend know your itenerary and communicate with them when you can frequently.  That way, if they do not hear from you appropriately, then they will have an idea of where you are, and possibly can send help.  Yea I know...extreme idea, but it might help you some day.  

Please take this information with you as you explore the great deserts of the southwest.  With just some simple precautions, you will have an incredible time as you add to your photographic collection with some of the best photos you can get anywhere.  Don't be scared to be here, just be smart, and be safe.