Spur Cross Trailhead (#8), Greenlee
Trailheads in Arizona
What to Pack for Spur Cross Trailhead (#8), Greenlee
The right gear makes all the difference — here's a packing list tailored to this area.
Your packing list for Spur Cross Trailhead (#8) should account for the Mountain Forest terrain and Semi-Arid.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Water sources marked on maps may be seasonal or dry; carrying enough to complete your route prevents a dangerous shortfall.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Getting lost is the leading cause of backcountry search-and-rescue calls; reliable navigation prevents the situation entirely.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Prolonged sun exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion that can cut a trip short or create a medical emergency.
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First aid kit — Remote locations mean longer response times for help; a first aid kit bridges the gap between injury and professional care.
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Extra food — High-energy snacks weigh little but provide crucial fuel if you need to bushwhack out or wait for conditions to improve.
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Headlamp with extra batteries — Hands-free light is essential for navigating uneven terrain, setting up camp, or signaling for help at night.
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Fire starter — Waterproof matches or a ferro rod weigh almost nothing and can be the difference between a cold night and a survivable one.
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Emergency shelter (space blanket) — Wind and rain strip heat faster than most people realize; a compact emergency shelter blocks both.
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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.
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Extra clothing layer — A lightweight fleece or puffy stuffs small but provides critical insulation if temperatures drop unexpectedly.
Wildlife Gear
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Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — A companion can help with first aid, signaling, and decision-making if a wildlife encounter turns serious.
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Noise maker — Group noise is especially important in dense brush or near berry patches where bears may be feeding and less alert.
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Gaiters — Thick gaiters deflect fangs before they reach skin, buying critical time in areas with rattlesnakes or copperheads.
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First-aid snakebite kit — Knowing how to immobilize a limb, mark swelling progression, and avoid harmful folk remedies can improve outcomes.
Terrain Gear
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Trekking poles — On river crossings and loose scree, two extra contact points dramatically improve balance and confidence.
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Ankle-support boots — A rolled ankle miles from a trailhead can turn a day hike into a rescue situation; prevention is far easier than treatment.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Spur Cross Trailhead (#8), Greenlee
The Mountain Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Visitors come to Spur Cross Trailhead (#8) primarily for hiking, though the Mountain Forest terrain opens up other options too.
With a photography score of 65/100, Spur Cross Trailhead (#8) offers Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.
Activities
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hiking — Hiking ranges from gentle nature walks to challenging summit climbs.
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photography — Golden hour and dramatic weather can transform ordinary scenes into striking images.
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picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
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running — Trail running combines endurance with changing terrain and natural views.
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walking — Walking lets you slow down and notice details — wildflowers, birdsong, shifting light through trees.
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wildlife_viewing — Early mornings and dusk offer the best chances to quietly spot native wildlife.
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Mountain Forest — Conifers often dominate at higher elevations, with rocky soils and cooler temperatures.
Wildlife Safety at Spur Cross Trailhead (#8), Greenlee
Most wildlife encounters are positive, but a few potential hazards are worth knowing about.
The danger rating here is 30/10 — Mountain lions and Venomous snakes.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (156mi from city)
- Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Venomous Snakes
Watch your step — Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder, Arizona Coral Snake are present in the Mountain Forest habitat around Spur Cross Trailhead (#8).
Typically gray to brown with sharply defined dark diamonds bordered in pale scales.
Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.
Color ranges from greenish-gray to brown, often blending with desert soils.
Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.
Light tan or sandy coloration with darker blotches along the back.
Do not attempt to capture the snake; focus on reaching emergency care quickly.
Red bands touch yellow bands, a key identifying feature.
Keep the victim calm and still while awaiting treatment.
- 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 Spur Cross Trailhead (#8), Greenlee
The Mountain Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The forests and meadows around Spur Cross Trailhead (#8) support a diverse community of wildlife, from Bighorn Sheep and American Black Bear to Mountain Bluebird and Bufflehead.
Trees (4)
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Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Southwestern Ponderosa Pine is a large, long-needled conifer adapted to dry, high-elevation forests. -
Emory oak — Emory oak is an evergreen oak with thick elongated leaves. -
Arizona sycamore — Arizona sycamore is a riparian tree with mottled white and tan exfoliating bark. -
gray oak — Gray oak is a small deciduous oak with narrow lobed leaves.
Wildflowers (1)
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California poppy — Finely divided blue-green foliage forming low mounds.
Shrubs (2)
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Creosote Bush — Bright yellow flowers bloom after rain. -
tree cholla — Tree cholla is an upright cactus with cylindrical segmented stems covered in barbed spines. It can reach 8 to 15 feet tall.
Other Plants (5)
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alligator juniper
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Parry's agave
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ocotillo
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pointleaf manzanita
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fishhook barrel cactus
Mammals (3)
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Bighorn Sheep — Rams carry massive curled horns. -
American Black Bear — Color varies from jet black to cinnamon or even blond. -
Mule Deer — Coat ranges from tawny brown in summer to gray-brown in winter.
Birds (30)
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Mountain Bluebird — Paler female with gray tones -
Bufflehead — Female with small cheek spot -
Common Raven — Broad wings with fingered primaries -
Gadwall — Mottled brown female -
Sandhill Crane — Red crown patch
Reptiles (5)
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Greater Earless Lizard — Tan to brown with darker blotches and pale underside. -
Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake — Distinct black coloration on last portion of tail before rattle. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — Males may show bluish patches on the belly. -
Gopher Snake — Head is slightly broader than the neck and often patterned with dark facial markings. -
Clark's Spiny Lizard — Males may show blue markings on the throat and belly.
Amphibians (2)
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Canyon Tree Frog -
Red-spotted Toad
Insects (14)
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Blue-ringed Dancer -
White-belted Ringtail -
Powdered Dancer -
Dusky Dancer -
Sooty Dancer
Other Wildlife (2)
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Arizona Bark Scorpion
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Red Shiner
Nature Bingo at Spur Cross Trailhead (#8), Greenlee
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Spur Cross Trailhead (#8), Greenlee Climate & Sun
Month-by-month climate and daylight information for Spur Cross Trailhead (#8).
Spur Cross Trailhead (#8) experiences Semi-Arid conditions with average temperatures ranging from °F in to °F in .
Climate type: Semi-Arid
Annual avg temp: 53.8°F
Annual precipitation: 19 in
With an average annual temperature of 53.8°F and 19 inches of precipitation, Spur Cross Trailhead (#8) has mild, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 71°F, while winter lows drop to 38°F.
Best months to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Aug, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 1.7 in |
| Feb | 40°F | 1.6 in |
| Mar | 44°F | 1.4 in |
| Apr | 51°F | 0.6 in |
| May | 59°F | 0.5 in |
| Jun | 69°F | 0.4 in |
| Jul | 71°F | 3.3 in |
| Aug | 70°F | 2.9 in |
| Sep | 65°F | 2.1 in |
| Oct | 55°F | 1.3 in |
| Nov | 45°F | 1.6 in |
| Dec | 38°F | 1.6 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 10 hours in winter to 14.3 hours in summer — a difference of 4.3 hours.
Summer: 5:07 AM – 7:27 PM
Winter: 7:13 AM – 5:11 PM
Spur Cross Trailhead (#8), Greenlee Trip Planning & Access
Ready to visit? Here's what to know about getting here and what it'll cost.
Getting to Spur Cross Trailhead (#8) means a 156-mile drive from Phoenix, the closest major city.
Visitor Friendliness
Visitor friendliness: families (moderate), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (challenging).
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: moderate (Long distance (>5mi), Steep climb (>1000ft))
- Elderly: challenging (Long distance (>2mi), Significant elevation (>200ft), Unpaved surface)
- Strollers: not_recommended (20/100)
- Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Places Near Spur Cross Trailhead (#8), Greenlee
If you're in the area, these nearby destinations are worth considering too.
The area around Spur Cross Trailhead (#8) includes trails, campgrounds, and other destinations.
Nearby Trails
- Pinal Trail, Greenlee 0.19 mi
- Sardine Saddle Trail, Greenlee 0.2 mi
- Pigeon Loop, Greenlee 0.37 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Granville Cg Campground, Greenlee 0.38 mi
- Upper Juan Miller Cg Campground, Greenlee 5.75 mi
- Lower Juan Miller Cg Campground, Greenlee 5.83 mi
- Frisco Camp (N, 0mi), Greenlee 13.63 mi
- Owl Creek Campground, Greenlee 16.25 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Spur Cross Trailhead (#8), Greenlee
If you're staying past sunset, the stargazing conditions here are worth planning around.
With Bortle class 2 skies, Spur Cross Trailhead (#8) offers Typical truly dark site conditions for observing the night sky.
Constellations
Look for Ursa Minor, Cepheus — all visible from this location depending on the season.
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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.
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Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.
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Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.
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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:
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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 Spur Cross Trailhead (#8), Greenlee
Each season brings something different to this area.
What you'll see at Spur Cross Trailhead (#8) depends heavily on when you visit.
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 Spur Cross Trailhead (#8), Greenlee
Long before trails were marked and campgrounds built, this land was home to Indigenous peoples.
This area is part of the ancestral territory of Chiricahua Apache, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache).
Territories
Languages
2 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: White Mountain, Chiricahua.
Data from Native Land Digital
Spur Cross Trailhead (#8), Greenlee Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Spur Cross Trailhead (#8) 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
- Middle Miocene to Oligocene volcanic rocks
- Formation
- Peach Springs Tuff; Apache Leap Tuff
- Lithology
- Major:{basalt,andesite,dacite}, Minor:{rhyolite}
- Age
- Cenozoic
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 124
- Richness
- Exceptional
- Minerals Found
- Copper, Manganese, Gold, Silver, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Zinc, Pumice
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 2513
- ESA Endangered
- 61
- ESA Threatened
- 31
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 116°F (1994-06-26)
- Record Low
- -5°F (1965-02-11)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 70
- Largest Fire
- Mule (5,470.4 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Orejana Canyon-San Francisco River
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0.348%
- Impaired
- 8.53%
Spur Cross Trailhead (#8), Greenlee Safety & Conditions
Conditions change fast outdoors — bookmark these official sources for your visit.
Real-time safety data for Spur Cross Trailhead (#8) — weather, fire, flood, and road conditions.
Coordinates: 33.191991, -109.384885