237 B Trailhead, Coconino

Trailheads in Arizona

Trailheads Bortle 3 Solitude: 70/100 (secluded)
Visit 237 B TRAILHEAD, located 14.8 miles from Forest Lakes, AZ. Elevation: 7,631 ft. Mountain terrain. Best visited Oct-Apr.

Near Forest Lakes, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for 237 B Trailhead, Coconino

Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.

A well-prepared pack for 237 B Trailhead covers 3 categories: essential, wildlife gear, terrain gear.

Essential

  • Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
  • Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
  • Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
  • First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
  • Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
  • Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
  • Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
  • Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
  • Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
  • Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.

Wildlife Gear

  • Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
  • Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
  • Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
  • First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.

Terrain Gear

  • Wide-brim hat — Desert and alpine environments with little tree cover leave you fully exposed; a hat is your primary shade source.
  • Sunscreen SPF50+ — Apply 30 minutes before exposure and reapply every 2 hours; sweating and pack straps rub sunscreen off faster than expected.
  • Extra water (desert) — Even well-mapped springs can go dry after low-snowpack years; always carry surplus and check recent trip reports.
  • Headlamp (extra) — A second light source is a fundamental safety redundancy in backcountry travel where help may be hours away.
  • Emergency bivy — In remote terrain where rescue may take hours or overnight, a bivy sack can prevent hypothermia in survivable conditions.
  • PLB/satellite messenger — Two-way satellite messengers also let you send check-in messages, reducing worry for contacts at home.

Seasonal Gear

  • Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
  • Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)

Activities & Best Time to Visit 237 B Trailhead, Coconino

The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

The mix of Desert terrain and Temperate conditions here supports everything from backpacking, hiking, photography.

The scenery here earns a 55/100 photography rating — Good dark sky (Bortle 3) and 3 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

  • backpacking — Lightweight equipment and route awareness are key for safe travel.
  • hiking — With sturdy footwear and preparation, trails open up expansive views and quiet solitude.
  • photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
  • picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
  • walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
  • wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.

Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr

Terrain: Desert — Rocky outcrops, sand, and dry washes are common features.

Wildlife Safety at 237 B Trailhead, Coconino

Before heading out, it helps to know which wildlife to be cautious around.

The danger score of 25/10 at 237 B Trailhead accounts for Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Far from city (95mi) in the area.

Danger rating: 25/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate
  • Mountain lions
  • Venomous snakes
  • Far from city (95mi)
UV risk: extreme (Southern latitude (34N), Desert (exposed))
Photo score: 55/100
  • Good dark sky (Bortle 3)
  • 3 excellent meteor showers
  • Fall foliage
  • Spring wildflowers

Venomous Snakes

0 venomous snake species are found in this area: .

  • Watch where you step and place hands
  • Stay on trails
  • Wear boots and long pants in snake country
  • Do not reach under rocks or logs
  • If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
  • Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol

Nature & Wildlife at 237 B Trailhead, Coconino

The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

The ecosystem around 237 B Trailhead is defined by its Desert landscape, supporting everything from Arizona sycamore to Red-winged Blackbird and House Sparrow.

Trees (1)

  • Arizona sycamore
    Arizona sycamore — Round seed balls hang on long stalks.

Wildflowers (4)

  • purple owl's-clover
    purple owl's-clover — Showy clusters blending bracts and small flowers.
  • pinkflower hedgehog cactus
    pinkflower hedgehog cactus — Low-growing cactus forming rounded clusters.
  • California poppy
    California poppy — Four-petaled blooms that close at night or in cool weather.
  • Coulter's lupine
    Coulter's lupine — Seed pods develop and split when dry.

Shrubs (3)

  • Brittlebush
    Brittlebush — Leaves are soft and pale gray, contrasting with long-stemmed golden blooms.
  • Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus
    Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Bright cup-shaped flowers open in sunlight and are followed by spiny fruits. It thrives in rocky desert slopes and well-drained soils.
  • Sonoran scrub oak
    Sonoran scrub oak — It typically grows in chaparral and desert foothills.

Other Plants (5)

  • saguaro
  • Buckhorn Cholla
  • jojoba
  • Panamint liveforever
  • ocotillo

Mammals (1)

  • White-tailed Deer
    White-tailed Deer — Bucks grow antlers annually, shedding them each winter.

Birds (30)

  • Red-winged Blackbird
    Red-winged Blackbird — Glossy breeding male plumage
  • House Sparrow
    House Sparrow — Urban plumage often dusted and worn
  • European Starling
    European Starling — Sleek dark breeding plumage with yellow bill
  • Eurasian Collared-Dove
    Eurasian Collared-Dove — Squared tail with white tips
  • Dark-eyed Junco
    Dark-eyed Junco — Pink-sided form with pale gray and buff flanks

Reptiles (7)

  • Ornate Tree Lizard
    Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long.
  • Plateau Fence Lizard
    Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail.
  • Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
    Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — Adults commonly 3–5 feet long.
  • Common Side-blotched Lizard
    Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail.
  • Greater Short-horned Lizard
    Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long.

Amphibians (3)

  • Canyon Tree Frog
    Canyon Tree Frog
  • Red-spotted Toad
    Red-spotted Toad
  • Lowland Leopard Frog
    Lowland Leopard Frog

Insects (6)

  • Pipevine Swallowtail
    Pipevine Swallowtail
  • Queen
    Queen
  • Marine Blue
    Marine Blue
  • Gray Buckeye
    Gray Buckeye
  • Dainty Sulphur
    Dainty Sulphur

Other Wildlife (1)

  • Desert Blonde Tarantula

Nature Bingo at 237 B Trailhead, Coconino

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Botany Challenge

237 B Trailhead, Coconino Climate & Sun

The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit 237 B Trailhead.

Month-by-month temperatures at 237 B Trailhead range from °F to °F.

Climate type: Temperate

Annual avg temp: 49.6°F

Annual precipitation: 28 in

With an average annual temperature of 49.6°F and 28 inches of precipitation, 237 B Trailhead has cool, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 68°F, while winter lows drop to 33°F.

Best months to visit: May, Jun, Sep, Oct.

Month Avg Temp Precip
Jan 33°F 3.5 in
Feb 35°F 3.2 in
Mar 40°F 2.9 in
Apr 46°F 1.1 in
May 54°F 0.8 in
Jun 65°F 0.4 in
Jul 68°F 3.0 in
Aug 67°F 3.8 in
Sep 62°F 2.1 in
Oct 52°F 1.6 in
Nov 41°F 2.1 in
Dec 33°F 3.5 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.9 hours in winter to 14.4 hours in summer — a difference of 4.5 hours.

Summer: 5:10 AM – 7:36 PM

Winter: 7:22 AM – 5:14 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:22 AM, Sunset 5:14 PM Golden hour from 4:36 PM
Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:10 AM, Sunset 7:36 PM Golden hour from 6:59 PM
Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:35 AM, Sunset 6:30 PM Golden hour from 5:57 PM
Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:05 AM, Sunset 6:31 PM Golden hour from 5:58 PM

237 B Trailhead, Coconino Trip Planning & Access

Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.

Access to 237 B Trailhead is primarily via Phoenix, 95 miles away.

Nearest city: Phoenix (95 mi)
Estimated fuel cost: $23.64 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)
Carbon footprint: 76.4 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (highly_suitable).

  • Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
  • Families: excellent
  • Elderly: highly_suitable
  • Strollers: excellent (100/100)
  • Beginners: Good starting point
  • Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (95/100)

Places Near 237 B Trailhead, Coconino

Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.

The region around 237 B Trailhead is rich with options — 13 nearby destinations are worth exploring.

Stargazing & Night Sky at 237 B Trailhead, Coconino

Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.

Light pollution at 237 B Trailhead is Rural sky (Bortle 3), which means bright constellations and planets are visible.

Bortle 3 Rural sky

Constellations

Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cepheus.

  • Ursa Minor
    Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole.
  • Cepheus
    Cepheus — Though its stars are modest in brightness, Cepheus is visible year-round from most of the U.S.

Meteor Showers

The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.

  • Geminids
    Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)

    Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.

  • Quadrantids
    Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)

    Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.

  • Perseids
    Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)

    Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.

  • Eta Aquariids
    Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)

    Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.

  • Delta Aquariids
    Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)

    Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

  • Venus
    Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
  • Jupiter
    Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
  • Saturn
    Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
  • Mars
    Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

  • Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
  • Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
  • Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

  • Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
  • Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
  • Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
  • Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
  • Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
  • Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

  • Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
  • Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at 237 B Trailhead, Coconino

What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.

Seasonal changes at 237 B Trailhead bring — each offering a distinct experience.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: October 15 – November 5

Best trees for color: Maple, Oak, Aspen

Higher elevations peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: March - April

Fall peak: October - November

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at 237 B Trailhead, Coconino

The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.

We acknowledge that 237 B Trailhead is located on the traditional lands of Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache).

Languages

The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Dilzhę́’é (South).

Data from Native Land Digital

237 B Trailhead, Coconino Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, 237 B Trailhead sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Bedrock Geology

Rock Type
Permian sedimentary rocks
Formation
Kaibab Formation; Toroweap Formation; Coconino Sandstone
Lithology
Major:{sandstone,limestone}, Minor:{chert}
Age
Permian

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences
1
Unique Species
1
Oldest
283.3 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites
20
Richness
Moderate
Minerals Found
Manganese, Iron, Barium-Barite, Fire Clay (Refractory), Kaolin, Clay, Silica, Sand and Gravel

Endangered Species

Species at Risk
1478
ESA Endangered
29
ESA Threatened
16
Conservation Score
100/100

Temperature Records

Record High
96°F (2005-07-12)
Record Low
-22°F (1949-01-04)

Wildfire History

This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.

Recorded Fires
172
Largest Fire
Dudley (20,116.7 acres)
Most Recent
2024
Fire Risk
Extreme

Caves & Karst Features

Feature Types
Carbonate rocks at or near the land surface in a humid climate
Karst Score
40

Watershed

Watershed
Upper Wildcat Canyon
Water Quality (Good)
0%
Impaired
0%

Reported Phenomena

Bigfoot Reports
5 (BFRO)
Eeriness Score
30/100

237 B Trailhead, Coconino Safety & Conditions

Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.

Up-to-date weather, fire, and flood information for the area around 237 B Trailhead.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone
Nearest weather station: HEBER BLACK MESA RANGER STATION, AZ US (15.88 mi)

Coordinates: 34.347281, -110.830978

Packing List Star Guide ↑ Top
237 B Trailhead
Arizona · Trailheads · 34.3473°N, -110.831°W

Emergency Information

In case of emergency: Call 911

Nearest town: Forest Lakes, AZ

Venomous snakes present — Watch where you step ()