Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101), Greenlee
Trailheads in Arizona
Near Blue, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101), Greenlee
The right gear makes all the difference — here's a packing list tailored to this area.
Every item on this list exists because of specific conditions at Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101) — Forest terrain, Temperate, and local wildlife.
Essential
-
Water (minimum 2L) — Water sources marked on maps may be seasonal or dry; carrying enough to complete your route prevents a dangerous shortfall.
-
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Getting lost is the leading cause of backcountry search-and-rescue calls; reliable navigation prevents the situation entirely.
-
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Prolonged sun exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion that can cut a trip short or create a medical emergency.
-
First aid kit — Remote locations mean longer response times for help; a first aid kit bridges the gap between injury and professional care.
-
Extra food — High-energy snacks weigh little but provide crucial fuel if you need to bushwhack out or wait for conditions to improve.
-
Headlamp with extra batteries — Hands-free light is essential for navigating uneven terrain, setting up camp, or signaling for help at night.
-
Fire starter — Waterproof matches or a ferro rod weigh almost nothing and can be the difference between a cold night and a survivable one.
-
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — Wind and rain strip heat faster than most people realize; a compact emergency shelter blocks both.
-
Knife or multi-tool — A multi-tool handles problems you can't predict: jammed zippers, tangled line, first-aid tape cutting, or gear fixes on the trail.
-
Extra clothing layer — A lightweight fleece or puffy stuffs small but provides critical insulation if temperatures drop unexpectedly.
Wildlife Gear
-
Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — A companion can help with first aid, signaling, and decision-making if a wildlife encounter turns serious.
-
Noise maker — Group noise is especially important in dense brush or near berry patches where bears may be feeding and less alert.
-
Gaiters — Thick gaiters deflect fangs before they reach skin, buying critical time in areas with rattlesnakes or copperheads.
-
First-aid snakebite kit — Knowing how to immobilize a limb, mark swelling progression, and avoid harmful folk remedies can improve outcomes.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101), Greenlee
The Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Outdoor recreation at Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101) centers on backpacking, with the Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr months offering the best conditions.
With a photography score of 65/100, Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101) offers Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.
Activities
-
backpacking — Backpacking combines endurance, planning, and remote wilderness camping.
-
fishing — Fishing blends patience and skill with peaceful waterfront settings.
-
hiking — Hiking ranges from gentle nature walks to challenging summit climbs.
-
kayaking — Kayaking offers close-up views of shoreline wildlife and scenery.
-
photography — Golden hour and dramatic weather can transform ordinary scenes into striking images.
-
picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
-
walking — Walking lets you slow down and notice details — wildflowers, birdsong, shifting light through trees.
-
wildlife_viewing — Early mornings and dusk offer the best chances to quietly spot native wildlife.
Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Terrain: Forest — This terrain features mature trees, fallen logs, and filtered light beneath a closed canopy. Trails may wind through uneven roots and soft organic soil.
Wildlife Safety at Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101), Greenlee
Most wildlife encounters are positive, but a few potential hazards are worth knowing about.
A danger score of 35/10 means Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101) requires moderate preparation compared to the average trail.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Flood zone
- Remote (165mi from city)
- Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Venomous Snakes
Watch your step — are present in the Forest habitat around Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101).
- 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 Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101), Greenlee
The Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The plant life here ranges from Gambel Oak and Southwestern Ponderosa Pine in the canopy to upright prairie coneflower and Woods' rose along the trail edges.
Trees (2)
-
Gambel Oak — Gambel oak is a small to medium deciduous tree with deeply lobed leaves that resemble classic oak shapes. -
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Southwestern Ponderosa Pine is a large, long-needled conifer adapted to dry, high-elevation forests.
Wildflowers (6)
-
upright prairie coneflower — Slender upright stems with deeply divided leaves. -
Woods' rose — Arching thorny stems with pinnate leaves. -
golden columbine — Delicate divided leaves beneath slender stems. -
manyflowered gromwell — Rough hairy leaves on upright stems. -
cutleaf coneflower — Deeply divided leaves along upright stalks.
Other Plants (5)
-
western blue flag
-
Scarlet Gilia
-
great mullein
-
MacDougal verbena
-
scarlet cinquefoil
Mammals (7)
-
Wapiti — Bulls carry massive branching antlers that can span over four feet. -
Bighorn Sheep — Rams carry massive curled horns. -
Mule Deer — Coat ranges from tawny brown in summer to gray-brown in winter. -
Pronghorn — Both sexes have short, curved horns with a forward prong. -
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel — Two bold stripes run along the back but none on the face.
Birds (11)
-
Wild Turkey — Male with fan-shaped tail and red wattle -
Canada Goose — Pale-breasted form with lighter body plumage -
Dark-eyed Junco — Oregon form with dark hood and brown back -
Mountain Bluebird — Paler female with gray tones -
Bufflehead — Female with small cheek spot
Reptiles (5)
-
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — Often displays small black spots between the stripes. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Color matches surrounding soil in browns and grays. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — Males may show bluish patches on the belly. -
Southwestern Fence Lizard — Males show bright blue patches on the belly and throat. -
Plateau Fence Lizard — Males show blue belly patches.
Amphibians (3)
-
Arizona Tree Frog -
Western Tiger Salamander -
Arizona Toad
Insects (12)
-
Blue Fungus Beetle -
Ridings' Satyr -
Nokomis Fritillary
-
Common Ringlet -
Ruddy Copper
Fungi (6)
-
lobster mushroom -
Barrow's Bolete
-
Kaibab Jack -
Spring Polypore -
Floccularia albolanaripes
Other Wildlife (1)
-
Speckled Dace
Nature Bingo at Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101), Greenlee
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101), Greenlee Climate & Sun
Month-by-month climate and daylight information for Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101).
With 20.3 inches of annual precipitation and an average of 53°F, Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101) has Temperate conditions.
Climate type: Temperate
Annual avg temp: 53°F
Annual precipitation: 20.3 in
With an average annual temperature of 53°F and 20.3 inches of precipitation, Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101) has mild, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 71°F, while winter lows drop to 37°F.
Best months to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 37°F | 1.5 in |
| Feb | 40°F | 1.3 in |
| Mar | 44°F | 1.2 in |
| Apr | 50°F | 0.5 in |
| May | 58°F | 0.6 in |
| Jun | 67°F | 0.6 in |
| Jul | 71°F | 3.8 in |
| Aug | 70°F | 3.9 in |
| Sep | 64°F | 2.1 in |
| Oct | 54°F | 2.0 in |
| Nov | 44°F | 1.1 in |
| Dec | 37°F | 1.7 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: 5:06 AM – 7:27 PM
Winter: 7:13 AM – 5:10 PM
Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101), Greenlee Trip Planning & Access
Ready to visit? Here's what to know about getting here and what it'll cost.
Trip planning for Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101) starts with the 165-mile route from Phoenix.
Visitor Friendliness
Visitor friendliness: families (excellent), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (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 Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101), Greenlee
If you're in the area, these nearby destinations are worth considering too.
From campgrounds to trails to scenic attractions, 15 destinations surround Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101).
Nearby Trails
- Blue River Trail, Greenlee 0.07 mi
- Grant Creek Trail, Greenlee 3.8 mi
- Old Sawmill Trail, Greenlee 4.34 mi
- Cow Flat Trail, Greenlee 4.76 mi
- Auger Trail, Greenlee 5.21 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Strayhorse Cg Campground, Greenlee 6.59 mi
- Kp Cienega Cg Campground, Greenlee 9.24 mi
- Blue Crossing Cg Campground, Greenlee 9.59 mi
- Hannagan Cg Campground, Greenlee 10.39 mi
- Upper Blue Cg Campground, Greenlee 14.02 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101), Greenlee
If you're staying past sunset, the stargazing conditions here are worth planning around.
For anyone who stays past sunset, the Bortle 2 conditions here reward patience with constellations and bright planets.
Constellations
Look for Ursa Minor, Cepheus — all visible from this location depending on the season.
-
Ursa Minor — This compact constellation contains Polaris at the end of its handle, a reliable guide to true north. -
Cepheus — Named for a mythological king, this constellation sits beside Cassiopeia and is circumpolar in northern latitudes.
Meteor Showers
For meteor viewing, the Geminids (December 13-14) offers the best show at this location.
-
Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.
-
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.
-
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.
-
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.
-
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)This steady shower rewards patient observers in dark, moonless conditions.
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 Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101), Greenlee
Each season brings something different to this area.
From wildflower blooms in spring to fall foliage in autumn, Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101) rewards visitors in every season.
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 Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101), Greenlee
Long before trails were marked and campgrounds built, this land was home to Indigenous peoples.
This area's history extends far beyond recreation — it is the traditional territory of Chiricahua Apache, Pueblos.
Territories
Languages
1 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: Chiricahua.
Data from Native Land Digital
Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101), Greenlee Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101) 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
- Pliocene to middle Miocene deposits
- Lithology
- Major:{conglomerate,sandstone}, Minor:{mudstone,siltstone,limestone,gypsum}
- Age
- Cenozoic
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 11
- Richness
- Moderate
- Minerals Found
- Sand and Gravel, Construction, Volcanic Materials
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 2513
- ESA Endangered
- 61
- ESA Threatened
- 31
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 105°F (1970-07-14)
- Record Low
- -18°F (1990-12-23)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 211
- Largest Fire
- Wallow (538,051.6 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Grant Creek
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- Bigfoot Reports
- 1 (BFRO)
- Eeriness Score
- 8/100
Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101), Greenlee Safety & Conditions
Conditions change fast outdoors — bookmark these official sources for your visit.
The data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening at Blue River Trailhead - Upper (#101) right now.
Coordinates: 33.525158, -109.207005