Safety precautions

and cooler temperatures allowed them to lift the city’s ban on charcoal and wood fires in Phoenix’s mountain and desert preserves. The ban on smoking outside of enclosed vehicles remains in place.

» The city closed the Summit and San Juan roads at South Mountain Park after heavy rains in August caused landslides. Officials said 11 sites in the park need repair, and workers will install culverts where the original structures failed. Construction was scheduled to start this month. Driving, biking and hiking are not allowed on the roadway during the estimated two- to three-month closure.

» The city is adding 18 miles of new trails to the Sonoran Preserve at Carefree Highway and Seventh Avenue in north Phoenix in the coming months, and construction of a new trailhead at the preserve will begin in April.

The trailhead will have a parking lot, restrooms, space to unload horses, a paved trail and a new feature to Phoenix preserves: a bar code — or quick-response code — that hikers can scan into their smartphones to see the trail’s route.

The $2.4 million Apache Wash Trailhead, at 1600 E. Sonoran Desert Drive, is expected to draw more visitors to the sprawling Phoenix Sonoran Preserve because of the improvements.

It’s the second trailhead the city has added to the preserve, which includes more than 9,400 acres and 31 miles of hiking trails. The largest chunk of the preserve lies near 40th Street to the east, south to Jomax Road, west to 19th Avenue and north to Carefree Highway.

Even during the unofficial hiking season, the precautions hikers must take remain the same as in the summer months.

“Know the ABC’s: Always Be Careful,” Dimas said. “Know where you’re going, know when you’re expected to return.”

Dimas said it is important for hikers to carry a cellphone and, although heat isn’t as much of an issue in the winter, dress for the elements and bring plenty of water.

“If you drink half your water, turn around and come down,” he said.

He said the city wants all hikers to enjoy their time on the trails, but it is important for them to respect the area.

Beyond Phoenix

Outside Phoenix, Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Maricopa County’s McDowell Mountain, Cave Creek parks, the county’s Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area and other areas in the region are big draws for hikers of all stripes.