Barnhardt Th Trailhead, Gila
Trailheads in Arizona
Near Payson, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Barnhardt Th Trailhead, Gila
Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.
A well-prepared pack for Barnhardt Th 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.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Barnhardt Th Trailhead, Gila
The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
The mix of Desert terrain and Semi-Arid conditions here supports everything from backpacking, hiking, photography.
The scenery here earns a 55/100 photography rating — Good dark sky (Bortle 4) 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 Barnhardt Th Trailhead, Gila
Before heading out, it helps to know which wildlife to be cautious around.
The danger score of 25/10 at Barnhardt Th accounts for Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Far from city (58mi) in the area.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Far from city (58mi)
- Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
- 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 Barnhardt Th Trailhead, Gila
The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The ecosystem around Barnhardt Th is defined by its Desert landscape, supporting everything from Arizona sycamore to Red-winged Blackbird and House Sparrow.
Trees (1)
-
Arizona sycamore — It grows along streams in desert and canyon environments.
Wildflowers (4)
-
purple owl's-clover — Showy clusters blending bracts and small flowers. -
pinkflower hedgehog cactus — Low-growing cactus forming rounded clusters. -
California poppy — Four-petaled blooms that close at night or in cool weather. -
Coulter's lupine — The plant grows in open disturbed soils.
Shrubs (3)
-
Brittlebush — Leaves are soft and pale gray, contrasting with long-stemmed golden blooms. -
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — The plant rarely exceeds a foot tall but can spread outward in mounded colonies. Its vivid blooms contrast sharply against arid landscapes. -
Sonoran scrub oak — Acorns are small and mature in a single season.
Other Plants (5)
-
saguaro
-
Buckhorn Cholla
-
jojoba
-
Panamint liveforever
-
ocotillo
Mammals (1)
-
White-tailed Deer — Bucks grow antlers annually, shedding them each winter.
Birds (30)
-
Red-winged Blackbird — Glossy breeding male plumage -
House Sparrow — Urban plumage often dusted and worn -
European Starling — Sleek dark breeding plumage with yellow bill -
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Squared tail with white tips -
Dark-eyed Junco — Pink-sided form with pale gray and buff flanks
Reptiles (7)
-
Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long. -
Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail. -
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — Adults commonly 3–5 feet long. -
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long.
Amphibians (3)
-
Canyon Tree Frog -
Red-spotted Toad -
Lowland Leopard Frog
Insects (6)
-
Pipevine Swallowtail -
Queen -
Marine Blue -
Gray Buckeye -
Dainty Sulphur
Other Wildlife (1)
-
Desert Blonde Tarantula
Nature Bingo at Barnhardt Th Trailhead, Gila
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Barnhardt Th Trailhead, Gila Climate & Sun
The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit Barnhardt Th.
Month-by-month temperatures at Barnhardt Th range from °F to °F.
Climate type: Semi-Arid
Annual avg temp: 61.3°F
Annual precipitation: 18.5 in
With an average annual temperature of 61.3°F and 18.5 inches of precipitation, Barnhardt Th has warm, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 81°F, while winter lows drop to 45°F.
Best months to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 45°F | 2.4 in |
| Feb | 47°F | 2.2 in |
| Mar | 52°F | 1.8 in |
| Apr | 58°F | 0.6 in |
| May | 66°F | 0.4 in |
| Jun | 76°F | 0.2 in |
| Jul | 81°F | 2.3 in |
| Aug | 79°F | 2.7 in |
| Sep | 74°F | 1.6 in |
| Oct | 63°F | 1.3 in |
| Nov | 52°F | 1.1 in |
| Dec | 45°F | 1.9 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: 5:13 AM – 7:38 PM
Winter: 7:23 AM – 5:17 PM
Barnhardt Th Trailhead, Gila Trip Planning & Access
Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.
Access to Barnhardt Th is primarily via Phoenix, 58 miles away.
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 (Moderate difficulty (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Places Near Barnhardt Th Trailhead, Gila
Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.
The region around Barnhardt Th is rich with options — 16 nearby destinations are worth exploring.
Nearby Trails
- Barnhardt Trail, Gila 0.1 mi
- Y Bar Trail, Gila 0.1 mi
- Half Moon Trail, Gila 1.12 mi
- Sandy Saddle Trail, Gila 2.2 mi
- Brody Seep Trail, Yavapai 3.78 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Houston Mesa Campground, Gila 13.58 mi
- Horseshoe (az) Campground, Maricopa 18.75 mi
- Mesquite (az) Campground, Maricopa 19.16 mi
- Sharp Creek Group Campground, Gila 19.52 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Barnhardt Th Trailhead, Gila
Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.
Light pollution at Barnhardt Th is Rural/suburban transition (Bortle 4), which means bright constellations and planets are visible.
Constellations
Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cepheus.
-
Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole. -
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 — 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 — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
-
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
-
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
-
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 — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star -
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky -
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light -
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 Barnhardt Th Trailhead, Gila
What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.
Seasonal changes at Barnhardt Th 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 Barnhardt Th Trailhead, Gila
The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.
We acknowledge that Barnhardt Th is located on the traditional lands of Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache), Hohokam.
Territories
Languages
The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Dilzhę́’é (South), Yavapai.
Data from Native Land Digital
Barnhardt Th Trailhead, Gila Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Barnhardt Th 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
- Late to middle Miocene basaltic rocks
- Formation
- Hickey Formation
- Lithology
- Major:{basalt}
- Age
- Serravallian
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 76
- Richness
- Exceptional
- Minerals Found
- Mercury, Copper, Silver, Gold, Sulfur-Pyrite, Lead, Gypsum-Anhydrite, Kaolin
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 122°F (1995-07-29)
- Record Low
- 19°F (2007-01-15)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 90
- Largest Fire
- Willow (119,952.5 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Davenport Wash
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Meteorite Landings
- Meteorites Found
- 1
- Largest
- Camp Creek (3 kg)
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 2 (NUFORC)
- Bigfoot Reports
- 1 (BFRO)
- Eeriness Score
- 22/100
Barnhardt Th Trailhead, Gila Safety & Conditions
Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.
Up-to-date weather, fire, and flood information for the area around Barnhardt Th.
Coordinates: 34.092401, -111.420408