Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead (E, 0mi), Mohave

Trailheads in Arizona

Trailheads Bortle 3 Solitude: 70/100 (secluded)
Visit Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead, located 41.9 miles from Peach Springs, AZ. Elevation: 6,187 ft. Mountain terrain. Best visited Oct-Apr.

Near Peach Springs, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead (E, 0mi), Mohave

Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.

Pack for Desert terrain, Semi-Arid, and the wildlife considerations above.

Essential

  • Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
  • Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
  • Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
  • First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
  • Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
  • Headlamp with extra batteries — Trails that seem short in daylight can take twice as long with route-finding or elevation; a headlamp keeps you moving safely after dark.
  • Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
  • Emergency shelter (space blanket) — A space blanket weighs under two ounces and reflects up to 90% of body heat, buying time in an unplanned overnight.
  • Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
  • Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.

Wildlife Gear

  • Bear canister — Storing food in a bear canister prevents bears from associating humans with food, which is the leading cause of dangerous bear behavior.
  • Bear spray — Studies show bear spray stops aggressive bear behavior in over 90% of encounters, outperforming firearms in field effectiveness.
  • Bear bell — Most bear encounters happen when hikers surprise a bear at close range; a bell provides continuous noise that alerts bears to your presence.
  • Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Groups of three or more are almost never involved in serious bear incidents; larger groups make more noise and appear more intimidating.
  • Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
  • Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
  • First-aid snakebite kit — While evacuation to a hospital is the priority, a snakebite kit helps you stay calm and follow proper first-aid protocols.

Terrain Gear

  • Wide-brim hat — A wide brim shades your face, ears, and neck simultaneously, reducing UV exposure and lowering heat stroke risk.
  • Sunscreen SPF50+ — Reflected UV from water, sand, and snow can burn exposed skin even on overcast days; SPF50+ blocks 98% of UVB rays.
  • Extra water (desert) — Desert water sources are unreliable and often seasonal; carry all the water you need rather than counting on finding more.

Seasonal Gear

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

Activities & Best Time to Visit Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead (E, 0mi), Mohave

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

Whether you're here for backpacking or looking to try something different, Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead has options.

Photographers rate this area 55/100, with Good dark sky (Bortle 3) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.

Activities

  • backpacking — Carry your gear into the backcountry for multi-day hiking adventures.
  • hiking — Follow marked trails through forests, deserts, or alpine terrain for a deeper connection with nature.
  • photography — Capture landscapes, wildlife, and changing light across trails, coastlines, and mountain vistas.
  • picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
  • walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
  • wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.

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

Terrain: Desert — Desert terrain features sparse vegetation, exposed soils, and wide temperature swings between day and night.

Wildlife Safety at Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead (E, 0mi), Mohave

Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.

Most visitors at Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead never have a wildlife incident, but a danger score of 40/10 means preparation matters.

Danger rating: 40/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate
  • Bears present
  • Mountain lions
  • Venomous snakes
  • Far from city (90mi)
UV risk: high (Mid latitude (36N), Desert (exposed))
Photo score: 55/100
  • Good dark sky (Bortle 3)
  • 3 excellent meteor showers
  • Fall foliage
  • Spring wildflowers

Bears

This is Black Bear country. Encounters are uncommon but possible, especially during .

Black Bear

A stocky bear with rounded ears, a straight facial profile, and short curved claws built for climbing.

If you encounter one, speak calmly, make yourself appear larger, and back away slowly without running.

  • 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

Venomous snakes here include . They're most active during warm months.

  • 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 Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead (E, 0mi), Mohave

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

The Desert environment here supports 11 documented species across mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Wildflowers (1)

  • Las Vegas Bearpoppy
    Las Vegas Bearpoppy — Large white crinkled petals with bright yellow centers.

Shrubs (4)

  • Creosote Bush
    Creosote Bush — Bright yellow flowers bloom after rain.
  • Brittlebush
    Brittlebush — Leaves are soft and pale gray, contrasting with long-stemmed golden blooms.
  • Eastern Joshua tree
    Eastern Joshua tree — Cream-colored flower clusters appear in spring.

Other Plants (5)

  • Buckhorn Cholla
  • Echinocereus bakeri
  • California Barrel Cactus
  • Beavertail Pricklypear
  • Mojave Yucca

Mammals (2)

  • Coyote
    Coyote — A medium-sized canid with gray-brown fur and bushy tail tipped in black.
  • Pronghorn
    Pronghorn — A slender tan-and-white ungulate with distinctive black facial markings.

Birds (6)

  • Great-tailed Grackle
    Great-tailed Grackle — Glossy black male with long tail
  • Eurasian Collared-Dove
    Eurasian Collared-Dove — Pale gray-beige body
  • American Kestrel
    American Kestrel — Rusty back
  • Common Raven
    Common Raven — Large all-black bird with shaggy throat
  • European Starling
    European Starling — Glossy black with iridescent green and purple sheen

Reptiles (3)

  • Common Side-blotched Lizard
    Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration.
  • Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
    Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake — A medium rattlesnake with speckled gray or pink coloration.
  • Western Whiptail
    Western Whiptail — A slender, fast-moving lizard with a very long tail and distinct pale stripes over a dark body.

Amphibians (4)

  • Relict Leopard Frog
    Relict Leopard Frog
  • Red-spotted Toad
    Red-spotted Toad
  • Woodhouse's Toad
    Woodhouse's Toad
  • Canyon Tree Frog
    Canyon Tree Frog

Insects (1)

  • Western Honey Bee
    Western Honey Bee

Nature Bingo at Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead (E, 0mi), Mohave

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

Wildlife Challenge

Botany Challenge

Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead (E, 0mi), Mohave Climate & Sun

Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.

The annual average temperature here is 52.5°F, with 14.7 inches of precipitation.

Climate type: Semi-Arid

Annual avg temp: 52.5°F

Annual precipitation: 14.7 in

With an average annual temperature of 52.5°F and 14.7 inches of precipitation, Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead has mild, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 74°F, while winter lows drop to 35°F.

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

Month Avg Temp Precip
Jan 35°F 1.3 in
Feb 37°F 1.4 in
Mar 41°F 1.4 in
Apr 47°F 0.7 in
May 57°F 0.5 in
Jun 68°F 0.3 in
Jul 74°F 2.5 in
Aug 72°F 2.1 in
Sep 66°F 1.3 in
Oct 55°F 1.3 in
Nov 43°F 0.7 in
Dec 35°F 1.2 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 9.7 hours in winter to 14.6 hours in summer — a difference of 4.9 hours.

Summer: 4:16 AM – 6:52 PM

Winter: 6:37 AM – 4:20 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:37 AM, Sunset 4:20 PM Golden hour from 3:41 PM
Summer Solstice: Sunrise 4:16 AM, Sunset 6:52 PM Golden hour from 6:14 PM
Spring Equinox: Sunrise 5:46 AM, Sunset 5:40 PM Golden hour from 5:06 PM
Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:15 AM, Sunset 5:43 PM Golden hour from 5:09 PM

Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead (E, 0mi), Mohave Trip Planning & Access

Here's the practical side of visiting Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead.

Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead is 90 miles from Las Vegas — here's what to budget for the trip.

Nearest city: Las Vegas (90 mi)
Estimated fuel cost: $22.58 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)
Carbon footprint: 73 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, excellent for families, and highly_suitable for elderly visitors.

  • 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 Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead (E, 0mi), Mohave

The area around Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead has plenty more to offer.

If you're exploring this part of Arizona, these nearby spots complement a visit to Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead (E, 0mi), Mohave

After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.

On clear nights, the Bortle class 3 skies above Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead reveal constellations and bright planets.

Bortle 3 Rural sky

Constellations

From Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.

  • Ursa Minor
    Ursa Minor — Home to Polaris, the North Star, Ursa Minor forms a small dipper shape that circles the northern sky year-round.
  • Cassiopeia
    Cassiopeia — Easily recognized by its bright W-shaped pattern, Cassiopeia stands out in northern skies.
  • Cepheus
    Cepheus — Cepheus appears as a faint house-shaped pattern near Polaris in the northern sky.

Meteor Showers

Time your visit around December 13-14 for the Geminids, the strongest meteor shower visible from this latitude.

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

    One of the most reliable and active showers of the year; best viewed after 10 PM when Gemini rises higher in the sky.

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

    This brief but intense shower peaks before dawn; early morning hours offer the best chance to see multiple meteors.

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

    A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.

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

    Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.

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

    Best viewed after midnight when Aquarius is higher in the southern sky.

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 Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead (E, 0mi), Mohave

The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.

Timing your visit to Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead around seasonal highlights can make a major difference in what you experience.

Spring Wildflowers

Peak bloom: April - May

Check local park websites for bloom reports

Fall Foliage

Peak color: September 15 – October 10

Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak

At 6187ft elevation, expect peak 1-2 weeks earlier

Bird Migration

Spring peak: April - May

Fall peak: September - October

Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges

Indigenous Land at Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead (E, 0mi), Mohave

Before planning your trip, it's worth recognizing the Indigenous peoples connected to this land.

Before this became a recreation area, this land belonged to Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute).

Languages

Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Walapai.

Data from Native Land Digital

Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead (E, 0mi), Mohave Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Mt. Dellenbaugh 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 to Pennsylvanian sedimentary rocks
Formation
Hermit Formation; Supai Group; Schnebly Hill Formation; Naco Group
Lithology
Major:{sandstone,shale,limestone}
Age
Paleozoic

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences
15
Unique Species
13
Oldest
497 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites
4
Richness
Low
Minerals Found
Copper, Gypsum-Anhydrite, Iron, Manganese, Sand and Gravel, Construction

Endangered Species

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

Temperature Records

Record High
103°F (2021-07-10)
Record Low
-35°F (1990-12-22)

Wildfire History

This area has a high wildfire risk. Check current fire conditions before visiting and follow all fire restrictions. Campfires may be banned during dry seasons.

Recorded Fires
12
Largest Fire
Twin compl (4,112.8 acres)
Most Recent
2024
Fire Risk
High

Caves & Karst Features

Feature Types
Evaporite rocks at or near the land surface in a dry climate
Karst Score
20

Watershed

Watershed
Surprise Canyon
Water Quality (Good)
0%
Impaired
0%

Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead (E, 0mi), Mohave Safety & Conditions

The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.

Before visiting Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead, verify current conditions through these authoritative sources.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone
Nearest weather station: MEADVIEW 3.8 S, AZ US (33.53 mi)

Coordinates: 36.138126, -113.521496

Packing List Safety Guide ↑ Top
Mt. Dellenbaugh Trailhead
Arizona · Trailheads · 36.1381°N, -113.5215°W

Emergency Information

In case of emergency: Call 911

Nearest town: Peach Springs, AZ

Bear country — Store food properly, carry bear spray (Black Bear)

Venomous snakes present — Watch where you step ()