Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, Navajo
Fishing in Arizona
Photo: CWanamaker / CC BY 3.0
Near Pinetop, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, Navajo
Preparation starts with your pack. Here's what to bring.
The conditions at Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex call for specific gear — here's a tailored packing list.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
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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.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
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First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
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Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
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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.
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Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
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Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
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Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
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Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.
Wildlife Gear
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Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
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Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
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Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
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First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.
Terrain Gear
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Wide-brim hat — Desert and alpine environments with little tree cover leave you fully exposed; a hat is your primary shade source.
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Sunscreen SPF50+ — Apply 30 minutes before exposure and reapply every 2 hours; sweating and pack straps rub sunscreen off faster than expected.
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Extra water (desert) — Even well-mapped springs can go dry after low-snowpack years; always carry surplus and check recent trip reports.
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SPF50 lip balm — Reapply every 2 hours and after eating or drinking, as lip balm wears off faster than body sunscreen.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
- Winter: Microspikes/traction devices
Activities & Best Time to Visit Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, Navajo
The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
The Desert landscape around Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex makes it well suited for fishing, picnicking, rv camping.
The scenery here earns a 65/100 photography rating — Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers.
Activities
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fishing — Check local regulations and seasons before heading out.
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picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
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rv_camping — Hookups and designated sites make extended stays convenient.
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walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
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wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Desert — Rocky outcrops, sand, and dry washes are common features.
Wildlife Safety at Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, Navajo
Knowing what to watch for helps you enjoy the outdoors here safely.
Wildlife safety at Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex comes down to awareness. The area's danger score of 30/10 reflects Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Remote (131mi from city).
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (131mi from city)
- Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
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 Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, Navajo
The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
Nature at Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex includes 2 tree species, 5 wildflowers, and a range of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Trees (2)
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Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Southwestern Ponderosa Pine is a large, long-needled conifer adapted to dry, high-elevation forests. -
Gambel Oak — Gambel oak is a small to medium deciduous tree with deeply lobed leaves that resemble classic oak shapes.
Wildflowers (5)
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Woods' rose — Red rose hips forming after flowering. -
Yellow Sweetclover — Slender racemes of bright yellow pea-like blossoms. -
alpine cancer-root — Alpine cancer-root is a leafless parasitic plant with reddish stems. -
pinewoods geranium — Pinewoods geranium produces pink to lavender five-petaled flowers. -
woodland pinedrops — Woodland pinedrops is a tall, leafless perennial that emerges as a reddish or yellowish stalk up to 3 feet high. It lacks chlorophyll and does not photosynthesize.
Other Plants (5)
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great mullein
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Scarlet Gilia
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western blue flag
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alligator juniper
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Spinystar
Mammals (6)
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Abert's Squirrel — Medium-sized with agile build. -
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel — Bushy tail and alert posture. -
American Black Bear — Adults typically weigh 150–600 pounds depending on region and sex. -
Mule Deer — Bucks carry branching antlers that fork rather than form a single main beam. -
Wapiti — Adults may weigh 500–1,000 pounds.
Birds (30)
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Great-tailed Grackle — Iridescent sheen -
Dark-eyed Junco — Pink-sided form with pale gray and buff flanks -
Red-winged Blackbird — Glossy breeding male plumage -
Gadwall — White wing patch visible in flight -
Mallard — Domestic-derived color morphs in urban parks
Reptiles (5)
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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. -
Madrean Alligator Lizard — Often 8–12 inches long including tail. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long.
Amphibians (3)
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Arizona Tree Frog -
Boreal Chorus Frog -
American Bullfrog
Insects (15)
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Springwater Dancer -
Plains Forktail -
Arizona Snaketail -
Flame Skimmer -
Common Whitetail
Fungi (3)
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Fly Agaric -
lobster mushroom -
Spring Polypore
Other Wildlife (1)
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Virile Crayfish
Nature Bingo at Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, Navajo
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, Navajo Climate & Sun
Here's the weather and sun data to help you pick the best time to visit.
Expect Temperate weather at Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, with the most comfortable conditions from May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
Climate type: Temperate
Annual avg temp: 50.1°F
Annual precipitation: 21.3 in
With an average annual temperature of 50.1°F and 21.3 inches of precipitation, Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex has mild, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 69°F, while winter lows drop to 33°F.
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33°F | 1.9 in |
| Feb | 36°F | 1.9 in |
| Mar | 41°F | 1.7 in |
| Apr | 47°F | 0.8 in |
| May | 55°F | 0.7 in |
| Jun | 65°F | 0.5 in |
| Jul | 69°F | 3.2 in |
| Aug | 67°F | 3.5 in |
| Sep | 62°F | 1.9 in |
| Oct | 52°F | 1.6 in |
| Nov | 41°F | 1.5 in |
| Dec | 33°F | 2.1 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: 5:07 AM – 7:32 PM
Winter: 7:17 AM – 5:11 PM
Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, Navajo Trip Planning & Access
Now for the logistics — distances, costs, and accessibility details for Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex.
Plan for a drive from Phoenix to reach Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex.
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: Perfect for beginners (Easy difficulty - perfect for beginners (+20), Good information available (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (100/100)
Places Near Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, Navajo
Extend your trip with these nearby outdoor spots.
Extend your visit with these nearby options — 12 destinations sit within range of Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex.
Nearby Trails
- Billy Creek Connector, Navajo 0.26 mi
- Pineview Connector, Navajo 0.49 mi
- Meadowview Trail, Navajo 0.74 mi
- Turkey Track Trail, Navajo 0.74 mi
- Woodland Park Lake Loop, Navajo 0.82 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Lakeside Campground, Navajo 2.93 mi
- Scott Reservoir, Navajo 3.38 mi
- Los Burros #1 Campground, Apache 9.34 mi
- Los Burros Campground, Apache 9.41 mi
- Brown Creek Campground, Apache 9.43 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, Navajo
The night sky adds another dimension to an overnight visit here.
Stargazing at Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex benefits from Typical truly dark site darkness — Bortle class 2 on the light pollution scale.
Constellations
Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cepheus.
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Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole. -
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.
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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.
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Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
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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:
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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 Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, Navajo
Beyond the night sky, the changing seasons shape what you'll experience here.
Each season reveals a different side of Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, from wildflower blooms to fall foliage.
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 Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, Navajo
The natural world here has been shaped by thousands of years of Indigenous stewardship.
The land around Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex has been home to Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache) for thousands of years.
Territories
Data from Native Land Digital
Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, Navajo Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex 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
- Cretaceous sedimentary rocks
- Formation
- Dakota Formation; Mancos Formation; Pinkard Formation
- Lithology
- Major:{sandstone,shale}
- Age
- Cenomanian
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 140
- Unique Species
- 63
- Oldest
- 382.3 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 33
- Richness
- High
- Minerals Found
- Volcanic Materials, Pumice, Gypsum-Anhydrite, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Kaolin, Limestone, General
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 107°F (2003-07-09)
- Record Low
- -24°F (1933-02-08)
Wildfire History
This area has a moderate wildfire risk. Be aware of fire restrictions during dry months and practice safe fire practices.
- Recorded Fires
- 10
- Largest Fire
- Elk (1,887.1 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Moderate
Watershed
- Watershed
- East Cedar Creek
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 1 (NUFORC)
- Bigfoot Reports
- 2 (BFRO)
- Haunted Places
- 1 (Shadowlands)
- Eeriness Score
- 43/100
Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex, Navajo 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 Alchesay-williams Creek National Fish Hatchery Complex.
Coordinates: 34.13, -109.94