Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave

Attractions in Arizona

Attractions 4,475 ft Bortle 3 Solitude: 70/100 (secluded)
Grand Gulch Mine is an abandoned copper mine from the late 1800s. The original stone buildings, bunkhouse, old steam engine parts and two dump trucks remain on the site.

Near Temple Bar Marina, AZ in Arizona

What to Pack for Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave

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

The conditions at Grand Gulch Mining 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

  • 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 Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave

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

The Desert landscape around Grand Gulch Mining makes it well suited for photography, picnicking, sightseeing.

The scenery here earns a 55/100 photography rating — Good dark sky (Bortle 3) and 3 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

  • 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.
  • sightseeing — It's an accessible way to appreciate the character of a place.
  • 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 — Rocky outcrops, sand, and dry washes are common features.

Wildlife Safety at Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave

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

Wildlife safety at Grand Gulch Mining comes down to awareness. The area's danger score of 40/10 reflects Bears present, Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Far from city (76mi).

Danger rating: 40/100 (based on terrain difficulty, wildlife presence, weather exposure, and remoteness) moderate
  • Bears present
  • Mountain lions
  • Venomous snakes
  • Far from city (76mi)
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

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

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 Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave

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

Nature at Grand Gulch Mining includes 0 tree species, 1 wildflower, and a range of mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Wildflowers (1)

  • Las Vegas Bearpoppy
    Las Vegas Bearpoppy — Showy solitary blooms above prickly foliage.

Shrubs (4)

  • Creosote Bush
    Creosote Bush — An evergreen desert shrub with small resinous leaves divided into paired leaflets.
  • Brittlebush
    Brittlebush — A rounded desert shrub with silvery fuzzy leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers.
  • 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 — Lean, agile build.
  • Pronghorn
    Pronghorn — Built for speed with long legs and large lungs.

Birds (6)

  • Great-tailed Grackle
    Great-tailed Grackle — Iridescent sheen
  • Eurasian Collared-Dove
    Eurasian Collared-Dove — Squared tail with white tips
  • American Kestrel
    American Kestrel — Black facial stripes
  • Common Raven
    Common Raven — Heavy bill and wedge-shaped tail
  • European Starling
    European Starling — Sleek dark breeding plumage with yellow bill

Reptiles (3)

  • Common Side-blotched Lizard
    Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail.
  • Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
    Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake — Typically 2–3 feet long.
  • Western Whiptail
    Western Whiptail — Typically 8–12 inches long including the tail.

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 Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave

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

Wildlife Challenge

Botany Challenge

Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave Climate & Sun

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

Expect Arid weather at Grand Gulch Mining, with the most comfortable conditions from May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Climate type: Arid

Annual avg temp: 61.1°F

Annual precipitation: 10.6 in

With an average annual temperature of 61.1°F and 10.6 inches of precipitation, Grand Gulch Mining has warm, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 84°F, while winter lows drop to 42°F.

Best months to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov.

Month Avg Temp Precip
Jan 42°F 1.1 in
Feb 44°F 1.6 in
Mar 50°F 1.3 in
Apr 57°F 0.7 in
May 67°F 0.3 in
Jun 78°F 0.2 in
Jul 84°F 0.8 in
Aug 82°F 1.1 in
Sep 75°F 0.8 in
Oct 63°F 0.9 in
Nov 50°F 0.7 in
Dec 41°F 1.1 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 – 6:53 PM

Winter: 6:39 AM – 4:21 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:39 AM, Sunset 4:21 PM Golden hour from 3:41 PM
Summer Solstice: Sunrise 4:16 AM, Sunset 6:53 PM Golden hour from 6:15 PM
Spring Equinox: Sunrise 5:47 AM, Sunset 5:41 PM Golden hour from 5:07 PM
Fall Equinox: Sunrise 5:16 AM, Sunset 5:44 PM Golden hour from 5:10 PM

Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave Trip Planning & Access

Now for the logistics — distances, costs, and accessibility details for Grand Gulch Mining.

Plan for a drive from Las Vegas to reach Grand Gulch Mining.

Nearest city: Las Vegas (76 mi)
Estimated fuel cost: $18.95 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)
Carbon footprint: 61.2 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
  • Strollers: excellent (100/100)
  • Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
  • Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave

Extend your trip with these nearby outdoor spots.

Extend your visit with these nearby options — 4 destinations sit within range of Grand Gulch Mining.

Stargazing & Night Sky at Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave

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

Stargazing at Grand Gulch Mining benefits from Rural sky darkness — Bortle class 3 on the light pollution scale.

Bortle 3 Rural sky

Constellations

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

  • Ursa Minor
    Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole.
  • Cassiopeia
    Cassiopeia — Visible year-round in northern states, Cassiopeia is especially prominent in autumn evenings.
  • Cepheus
    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
    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
    Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)

    Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.

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

    Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.

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

    Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.

  • Delta Aquariids
    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
    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 Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave

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

Each season reveals a different side of Grand Gulch Mining, from wildflower blooms to fall foliage.

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 4475ft 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 Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave

The natural world here has been shaped by thousands of years of Indigenous stewardship.

The land around Grand Gulch Mining has been home to Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute) for thousands of years.

Languages

The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Southern Paiute, Walapai.

Data from Native Land Digital

Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Grand Gulch Mining 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 sedimentary rocks
Formation
Kaibab Formation; Toroweap Formation; Coconino Sandstone
Lithology
Major:{sandstone,limestone}, Minor:{chert}
Age
Permian

Fossils

Fossil Occurrences
30
Unique Species
19
Oldest
323.4 million years ago

Mineral Deposits

Deposit Sites
6
Richness
Moderate
Minerals Found
Copper, Corundum, Kyanite, Vanadium, Lead, Zinc, Gold, Silver

Endangered Species

Species at Risk
2772
ESA Endangered
56
ESA Threatened
32
Conservation Score
100/100

Temperature Records

Record High
105°F (2021-07-10)
Record Low
-3°F (1990-12-23)

Wildfire History

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

Recorded Fires
49
Largest Fire
TWEEDY COM (35,639.5 acres)
Most Recent
2024
Fire Risk
Extreme

Caves & Karst Features

Feature Types
Carbonate rocks at or near the land surface in a dry climate
Karst Score
40

Watershed

Watershed
Upper Hidden Canyon
Water Quality (Good)
0%
Impaired
0%

Grand Gulch Mining, Mohave 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 Grand Gulch Mining.

Nearest weather station: MEADVIEW 3.8 S, AZ US (30.34 mi)

Coordinates: 36.322358, -113.792694

Packing List Safety Guide ↑ Top
Grand Gulch Mining
Arizona · 4,475 ft · Attractions · 36.3224°N, -113.7927°W

Emergency Information

In case of emergency: Call 911

Nearest town: Temple Bar Marina, AZ

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

Venomous snakes present — Watch where you step ()