Scholz Lake Trailhead, Coconino
Trailheads in Arizona
Near Parks, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Scholz Lake Trailhead, Coconino
Preparation starts with your pack. Here's what to bring.
The conditions at Scholz Lake 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.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Scholz Lake Trailhead, Coconino
The Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
The Forest landscape around Scholz Lake makes it well suited for backpacking, boating, fishing.
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.
-
boating — Always wear life jackets and follow local water safety rules.
-
fishing — Check local regulations and seasons before heading out.
-
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.
-
swimming — Be mindful of currents, depth, and posted safety guidelines.
-
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: Forest — Expect cooler temperatures and higher humidity under tree cover. Wildlife habitat is abundant, especially in mixed hardwood or conifer stands.
Wildlife Safety at Scholz Lake Trailhead, Coconino
Knowing what to watch for helps you enjoy the outdoors here safely.
Wildlife safety at Scholz Lake comes down to awareness. The area's danger score of 50/10 reflects Bears present, Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Flood zone, Remote (121mi from city).
- Bears present
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Flood zone
- Remote (121mi from city)
- Good dark sky (Bortle 3)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Bears
Black Bear have been documented in this area. They're most active from .
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
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 Scholz Lake Trailhead, Coconino
The Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
Nature at Scholz Lake includes 3 tree species, 2 wildflowers, and a range of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Trees (3)
-
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Its thick bark forms broad orange plates separated by dark fissures. -
Gambel Oak — It often grows in dense thickets, spreading by underground sprouts to form large colonies. -
white fir — The bark is smooth and gray on young trees, becoming furrowed with age.
Wildflowers (2)
-
Arizona mariposa lily — Slender stem rising from narrow basal leaves. -
Stansbury's Cliffrose — Feathery seed plumes developing after flowering.
Other Plants (5)
-
Echinocereus bakeri
-
great mullein
-
quaking aspen
-
alligator juniper
-
western blue flag
Mammals (8)
-
Abert's Squirrel — Medium-sized with agile build. -
Mule Deer — Bucks carry branching antlers that fork rather than form a single main beam. -
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — Often stands upright near burrow mounds. -
Wapiti — Adults may weigh 500–1,000 pounds. -
Rock Squirrel — Often stands upright on rocks to scan for predators.
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 (5)
-
Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long. -
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — Typically grows 18–36 inches long with a narrow head and round pupils. -
Gopher Snake — Adults commonly reach 3–6 feet in length. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long.
Amphibians (2)
-
American Bullfrog -
Arizona Tree Frog
Insects (10)
-
Convergent Lady Beetle -
Gray Buckeye -
Carolina Grasshopper -
White-lined Sphinx -
Spotted Pine Sawyer
Fungi (1)
-
lobster mushroom
Other Wildlife (2)
-
Common Pill Woodlouse
-
Virile Crayfish
Nature Bingo at Scholz Lake Trailhead, Coconino
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Scholz Lake Trailhead, Coconino Climate & Sun
Here's the weather and sun data to help you pick the best time to visit.
Expect Temperate weather at Scholz Lake, with the most comfortable conditions from Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Climate type: Temperate
Annual avg temp: 48.9°F
Annual precipitation: 21.1 in
With an average annual temperature of 48.9°F and 21.1 inches of precipitation, Scholz Lake has cool, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 68°F, while winter lows drop to 33°F.
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33°F | 2.3 in |
| Feb | 35°F | 2.5 in |
| Mar | 40°F | 2.1 in |
| Apr | 45°F | 1.0 in |
| May | 53°F | 0.7 in |
| Jun | 63°F | 0.3 in |
| Jul | 68°F | 2.5 in |
| Aug | 67°F | 3.0 in |
| Sep | 61°F | 1.7 in |
| Oct | 50°F | 1.6 in |
| Nov | 40°F | 1.4 in |
| Dec | 32°F | 2.0 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 9.8 hours in winter to 14.5 hours in summer — a difference of 4.7 hours.
Summer: 5:12 AM – 7:43 PM
Winter: 7:28 AM – 5:17 PM
Scholz Lake Trailhead, Coconino Trip Planning & Access
Now for the logistics — distances, costs, and accessibility details for Scholz Lake.
Plan for a drive from Phoenix to reach Scholz Lake.
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 Scholz Lake Trailhead, Coconino
Extend your trip with these nearby outdoor spots.
Extend your visit with these nearby options — 13 destinations sit within range of Scholz Lake.
Nearby Trails
- Scholz Lake Trail, Coconino 0.13 mi
- Sycamore Rim Trail, Coconino 3.76 mi
- Keyhole Sink Trail, Coconino 4.89 mi
- Whitehorse Trail, Coconino 5.07 mi
- Canyon Overlook Trail, Coconino 5.2 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
Stargazing & Night Sky at Scholz Lake Trailhead, Coconino
The night sky adds another dimension to an overnight visit here.
Stargazing at Scholz Lake benefits from Rural sky darkness — Bortle class 3 on the light pollution scale.
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 Scholz Lake Trailhead, Coconino
Beyond the night sky, the changing seasons shape what you'll experience here.
Each season reveals a different side of Scholz Lake, 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 6751ft 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 Scholz Lake Trailhead, Coconino
The natural world here has been shaped by thousands of years of Indigenous stewardship.
The land around Scholz Lake has been home to Hopitutskwa, Hohokam for thousands of years.
Territories
Languages
The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Hopilavayi, Yavapai.
Data from Native Land Digital
Scholz Lake Trailhead, Coconino Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Scholz Lake 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
- Holocene to middle Pliocene basaltic rocks
- Lithology
- Major:{basalt}, Minor:{andesite,dacite,rhyolite}
- Age
- Cenozoic
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 7
- Unique Species
- 5
- Oldest
- 283.3 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 59
- Richness
- Moderate
- Minerals Found
- Pumice, Volcanic Materials, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Perlite
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 120°F (1990-07-01)
- Record Low
- -30°F (2011-01-01)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 192
- Largest Fire
- Rafael (78,064.2 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Caves & Karst Features
- Feature Types
- Volcanic rocks with potential for pseudokarst features
- Karst Score
- 30
Watershed
- Watershed
- Pitman Valley-Scholz Lake
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Meteorite Landings
- Meteorites Found
- 1
- Largest
- San Francisco Mountains (1.7 kg)
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 2 (NUFORC)
- Bigfoot Reports
- 1 (BFRO)
- Eeriness Score
- 22/100
Scholz Lake Trailhead, Coconino 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 Scholz Lake.
Coordinates: 35.191596, -112.008502