Photo: aoiaio / CC BY 3.0

Part of Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

Trails 1,928 ft 0.83 mi moderate Wood Chips Bortle 1 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

Arizona's 0.83-mile Pueblo Color Wash Trail on wood chips offers moderate difficulty with black bears and 13 mammal species. This exceptionally secluded route thrives during spring, summer, and fall seasons.

What to Pack for Pueblo Color Wash Trail, Hubbell Trading Post NHS

Preparation starts with your pack. Here's what to bring.

The conditions at Pueblo Color Wash Trail call for specific gear — here's a tailored packing list.

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

Bear canister — A hard-sided canister protects your food from raccoons, rodents, and other camp raiders too, not just bears.
Bear spray — Bear spray works on all bear species; keep it in a hip holster for instant access, not buried in your pack.
Bear bell — On windy trails or near streams where your voice might not carry, a bear bell provides constant, passive noise.
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.

Climate Gear

Insulated layers — Layering lets you regulate temperature as conditions change, preventing the sweat buildup that causes chills later.
Hand warmers — Beyond comfort, hand warmers can help treat mild hypothermia by warming blood flowing through the extremities.
Thermos — A thermos also works in reverse: cold water stays cold in summer heat, encouraging steady hydration.
Layering system (wide temp swings) — Removing a layer before you sweat keeps your clothing dry, which is critical for warmth when temperatures drop again.

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 Pueblo Color Wash Trail, Hubbell Trading Post NHS

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

The Desert Grassland landscape around Pueblo Color Wash Trail makes it well suited for hiking, photography, picnicking.

The scenery here earns a 65/100 photography rating — Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

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.
running — From flat paths to rolling hills, running outdoors adds variety to your routine.
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: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Desert Grassland — Rolling hills and rocky soils are common.

Wildlife Safety at Pueblo Color Wash Trail, Hubbell Trading Post NHS

Knowing what to watch for helps you enjoy the outdoors here safely.

Wildlife safety at Pueblo Color Wash Trail comes down to awareness. The area's danger score of 45/10 reflects Bears present, Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Remote (212mi from city).

Danger rating: 45/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) high

Bears present
Mountain lions
Venomous snakes
Remote (212mi from city)

UV risk: high (Mid latitude (36N), Desert Grassland (exposed))

Photo score: 65/100

Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
3 excellent meteor showers
Fall foliage
Spring wildflowers

Bears

Black Bear have been documented in this area. They're most active from .

Black Bear

Adults typically weigh 150 to 600 pounds, with males substantially larger than females.

Store all food and scented items in bear-resistant containers and keep a clean campsite.

Store food properly - use bear boxes or hang food bags
Keep a clean camp - no food scraps
Make noise while hiking
Never approach cubs - mother is nearby
Back away slowly if you encounter a bear

Venomous Snakes

3 venomous snake species are found in this area: Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder.

Western Diamondback

Broad triangular head, vertical pupils, and a stout body often exceeding 3 to 4 feet in length.

Seek emergency medical care immediately and keep the bitten limb immobilized at heart level.

Mojave

Distinct facial stripe behind the eye and a prominent rattle.

Call emergency services immediately and limit movement to slow venom spread.

Sidewinder

Usually under 2 feet long with a relatively short rattle.

Seek immediate medical attention and immobilize the affected limb.

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 Pueblo Color Wash Trail, Hubbell Trading Post NHS

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

Nature at Pueblo Color Wash Trail includes 0 tree species, 2 wildflowers, and a range of mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Wildflowers (2)

Arizona mariposa lily — Slender stem rising from narrow basal leaves.
Woods' rose — Red rose hips forming after flowering.

Shrubs (2)

Fourwing Saltbush — A gray-green shrub with narrow leaves and papery four-winged seed bracts.
fernbush — A rounded shrub with finely divided fern-like leaves and clusters of white flowers.

Other Plants (5)

Spinystar
Kingcup Cactus
Whipple Cholla
western blue flag
Green Ephedra

Mammals (13)

Pronghorn — Built for speed with long legs and large lungs.
Wapiti — Adults may weigh 500–1,000 pounds.
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — Often stands upright near burrow mounds.
American Bison — Adults can weigh over 2,000 pounds.
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel — Slender body adapted to hot climates.

Birds (13)

Common Raven — Heavy bill and wedge-shaped tail
Rock Wren — Long slightly curved bill
Canyon Towhee — Large sparrow shape
Dark-eyed Junco — Pink-sided form with pale gray and buff flanks
Red-tailed Hawk — Dark and light morphs across range

Reptiles (11)

Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail.
Eastern Collared Lizard — Usually 8–12 inches long.
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail.
Prairie Rattlesnake — Usually 3–4 feet long.
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long.

Amphibians (4)

Northern Leopard Frog
Arizona Tree Frog
Boreal Chorus Frog
Mexican Spadefoot

Insects (4)

Megetra vittata
Painted Lady
Convergent Lady Beetle
White-lined Sphinx

Fungi (1)

Fly Agaric

Other Wildlife (2)

Diablo Mountainsnail
Common Desert Centipede

Nature Bingo at Pueblo Color Wash Trail, Hubbell Trading Post NHS

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

Wildlife Challenge

Common Raven (bird)
Pronghorn (mammal)
Plateau Fence Lizard (reptile)
Northern Leopard Frog (amphibian)
Spinystar (plant)

Botany Challenge

Achnatherum Pinetorum
Aquilegia Coerulea Var. Pinetorum
Arabis Holboellii Var. Pinetorum
Asclepias Engelmanniana
Echinocereus Engelmannii
Almutaster

Pueblo Color Wash Trail, Hubbell Trading Post NHS Climate & Sun

Here's the weather and sun data to help you pick the best time to visit.

Expect Arid weather at Pueblo Color Wash Trail, with the most comfortable conditions from May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Climate type: Arid

Annual avg temp: 50.5°F

Annual precipitation: 9.2 in

With an average annual temperature of 50.5°F and 9.2 inches of precipitation, Pueblo Color Wash Trail has mild, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 72°F, while winter lows drop to 30°F.

Best months to visit: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Consider avoiding: Jan, Dec.

Winter 30°

0.7"

Spring 48°

0.4"

Summer 72°

1.1"

Fall 52°

0.8"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	30°F	0.7 in
Feb	35°F	0.7 in
Mar	42°F	0.6 in
Apr	48°F	0.4 in
May	57°F	0.6 in
Jun	67°F	0.2 in
Jul	72°F	1.1 in
Aug	70°F	1.4 in
Sep	63°F	1.1 in
Oct	52°F	0.8 in
Nov	40°F	0.7 in
Dec	31°F	0.9 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.8 hours in winter to 14.6 hours in summer — a difference of 4.8 hours.

Summer: 5:01 AM – 7:35 PM

Winter: 7:20 AM – 5:06 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 7:20 AM, Sunset 5:06 PM Golden hour from 4:26 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:01 AM, Sunset 7:35 PM Golden hour from 6:57 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:30 AM, Sunset 6:24 PM Golden hour from 5:51 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:59 AM, Sunset 6:27 PM Golden hour from 5:53 PM

Pueblo Color Wash Trail, Hubbell Trading Post NHS Trip Planning & Access

Now for the logistics — distances, costs, and accessibility details for Pueblo Color Wash Trail.

Plan for a drive from Phoenix to reach Pueblo Color Wash Trail.

Nearest city: Phoenix (212 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $53.02 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 171.4 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 (Unpaved surface)
Strollers: possible (50/100)
Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Stargazing & Night Sky at Pueblo Color Wash Trail, Hubbell Trading Post NHS

The night sky adds another dimension to an overnight visit here.

Stargazing at Pueblo Color Wash Trail benefits from Excellent dark-sky site darkness — Bortle class 1 on the light pollution scale.

Bortle 1 Excellent dark-sky site

Constellations

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

Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole.
Cassiopeia — Visible year-round in northern states, Cassiopeia is especially prominent in autumn evenings.
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 Pueblo Color Wash Trail, Hubbell Trading Post NHS

Beyond the night sky, the changing seasons shape what you'll experience here.

Each season reveals a different side of Pueblo Color Wash Trail, from wildflower blooms to fall foliage.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: March - April

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: September 15 – October 10

Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak

At 6338ft elevation, expect peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: April - May

Fall peak: September - October

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Pueblo Color Wash Trail, Hubbell Trading Post NHS Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Pueblo Color Wash Trail 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: 7
Richness: Moderate
Minerals Found: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Pumice, Bentonite, Stone

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High: 104°F (1967-07-04)
Record Low: -27°F (1937-01-22)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires: 1
Largest Fire: W Burnside (13 acres)
Most Recent: 2023
Fire Risk: Low

Watershed

Watershed: Sagewood Spring
Water Quality (Good): 0%
Impaired: 0%

Reported Phenomena

UFO Sightings: 3 (NUFORC)
Eeriness Score: 6/100

Pueblo Color Wash Trail, Hubbell Trading Post NHS Safety & Conditions

Check current conditions from these authoritative sources before you go.

Conditions change quickly outdoors. These links provide current data for the area around Pueblo Color Wash Trail.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone

Nearest weather station: CANYON DE CHELLY, AZ US (30.61 mi)