RFK Jr. hiked 'extremely difficult' Phoenix trail in July heat
PHOENIX - Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hiked one of Arizona's most iconic sites over the weekend, donning a pair of blue jeans to climb the popular Camelback Mountain peak during what is often the state's hottest month of the year.
Kennedy made the climb with his son, William "Finn" Kennedy.
'With Finn atop Camelback in Phoenix this morning,' Kennedy said, sharing a photo of the pair at 11:30 a.m. MST on July 19 on X.
Camelback Mountain is an iconic Phoenix hiking destination. Both of Camelback's main trails are rated 'extremely difficult,' according to the city of Phoenix. The trails entail steep elevation gains, uneven terrain and 'a path that is unprotected from the elements.'
'Only experienced hikers' should attempt the trail 'during optimal weather conditions,' according to the city. The summit sits 2,704 feet above sea level.
With Finn atop Camelback in Phoenix this morning. pic.twitter.com/ANl7OKnBiR
Kyle Herrig, 47, was headed down Echo Canyon Trail on July 19 when he encountered Kennedy hiking up the trail at around 8 a.m. The health secretary was with his son and two other young men, Herrig told The Republic, a USA TODAY Network partner.
Herrig did a double-take when he realized who was walking toward him. He said hello to Kennedy and thanked him for the work he's doing at HHS. Kennedy then offered to snap a few selfies on the trail.
The moment was particularly noteworthy for Herrig, who lives in Chandler, Arizona, because he has a passion for health and fitness. He's the owner of Triplex Training in Chandler and Scottsdale.
'I thought that was kind of cool,' Herrig said. 'Meeting probably one of the most influential health people in the country right now.'
Kennedy's signature T-shirt and jeans made him 'even more recognizable,' Herrig said. Kennedy has been seen working out in denim countless times.
'I glanced at him, and was like, 'You're going old school today, huh? Rocking the blue jeans,'' Herrig said. 'He said, 'Yeah, that was a bad idea.''
Hiking Camelback Mountain in the summertime is not for the faint of heart. Dozens of people are rescued from Camelback Mountain each year because of its terrain.
The Phoenix Fire Department encourages hikers to avoid hiking between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and stay off trails entirely during excessive heat warnings. The National Weather Service did not issue an excessive heat warning on July 19, the day Kennedy hiked Camelback Mountain with his son.
The high temperature was 107 degrees and the low was 87 degrees on July 19, according to National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist Tom Frieders.
Hikers should still be careful in those conditions, he noted.
'There's still a moderate heat risk, which means that it can be impactful, even fatal, if necessary precautions aren't taken,' Friders said. 'Any time temperatures are above 100 degrees, for sure, you need to definitely stay hydrated, and we still try to tell people to do those outdoor activities earlier on in the day when it's not as hot.'
Kennedy's Health and Human Services Department oversees key government agencies including the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Indian Health Service and the Food and Drug Administration, among others.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to a request for comment.
Kennedy is a familiar face in Arizona. He made an official visit to the state in April, where he promoted the 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda and railed against ultraprocessed foods at the state Capitol.
Last year, Kennedy ended his independent bid for president during an Arizona visit and endorsed President Donald Trump.
Kennedy returned to Glendale to campaign for Trump, where made headlines by revealing that he was under investigation 'for collecting a whale specimen 20 years ago.'
Stephanie Murray covers national politics and the Trump administration for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Reach her via email at stephanie.murray@gannett.com and on X, Bluesky, TikTok and Threads @stephanie_murr.
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