MESA, AZ - It is that time of year when many will head to Arizona mountain trails and take advantage of the weather. 

Rescue crews are preparing for lost, injured, and ill hikers with a mock rescue at Usery Mountain Monday.

There have been at least half a dozen rescues at Usery this year, said Michael Guardado with the Mesa Fire Department.

Guardado is part of a rescue team with Mesa fire.  Firefighters brought out their rescue gear Monday and participated in a training exercise at Wind Cave trail.

Here's a look at some of the recent rescues from around the Valley:

• 2/13/12: Two stranded hikers rescued off Usery Mountain. One fell and hurt his leg. A helicopter assisted in this rescue.
   
• 1/29/12: A woman was rescued at Papago Park after hurting her ankle.
   
• 1/19/12: A man was rescued, by helicopter, from Piestewa Peak after falling ten feet while free-climbing.
   
• 1/2/12: Two separate rescues on Camelback Mountain.  One hiker says her flashlight battery died after dark.  Two other hikers were lost on the same day.  Rescuers estimated they had at least ten rescues from the start of the year to mid-January.

Guardado says it's important for hikers to be prepared to avoid getting hurt or lost.  He recommends hikers have food, water, warm clothes, a flashlight, and a first aid kit handy.

Each rescue can cost thousands of taxpayer dollars for manpower and equipment, Guardado said.