Irving/flume Trailhead, Gila
Trailheads in Arizona
Near Pine, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Irving/flume Trailhead, Gila
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
-
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 Irving/flume Trailhead, Gila
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, Irving/flume has options.
Photographers rate this area 55/100, with Good dark sky (Bortle 4) 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 Irving/flume Trailhead, Gila
Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.
Most visitors at Irving/flume never have a wildlife incident, but a danger score of 25/10 means preparation matters.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Far from city (71mi)
- Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
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 Irving/flume Trailhead, Gila
The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The Desert environment here supports 39 documented species across mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Trees (1)
-
Frémont Cottonwood — Frémont cottonwood is a fast-growing riparian tree with broad triangular leaves.
Wildflowers (2)
-
California poppy — Bright orange cup-shaped flowers with silky petals. -
Coulter's lupine — Coulter's lupine is an annual with palmate leaves divided into narrow leaflets.
Shrubs (4)
-
Brittlebush — Leaves are soft and pale gray, contrasting with long-stemmed golden blooms. -
Creosote Bush — Bright yellow flowers bloom after rain. -
redberry juniper — Foliage is gray-green and aromatic.
Other Plants (5)
-
saguaro
-
Buckhorn Cholla
-
California Barrel Cactus
-
Teddybear Cholla
-
stinknet
Mammals (4)
-
Desert Cottontail — Gray-brown rabbit with large ears and white underside to tail. -
Mule Deer — A large deer with oversized mule-like ears and a black-tipped tail. -
Collared Peccary — A pig-like mammal with coarse gray fur and pale collar marking on neck. -
Coyote — A medium-sized canid with gray-brown fur and bushy tail tipped in black.
Birds (30)
-
House Sparrow — Male with gray crown and black bib -
Great-tailed Grackle — Glossy black male with long tail -
Hooded Merganser — Male with large white crest -
Brewer's Sparrow — Plain gray-brown plumage -
Black-throated Sparrow — Bold black throat patch
Reptiles (5)
-
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped dorsal blotches. -
Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration. -
Desert Spiny Lizard — A robust lizard with rough spiny scales and gray to brown coloration. -
Gopher Snake — A large tan or yellowish snake with dark brown blotches along the back. -
Western Whiptail — A slender, fast-moving lizard with a very long tail and distinct pale stripes over a dark body.
Amphibians (1)
-
Red-spotted Toad
Insects (6)
-
Empress Leilia -
Western Honey Bee -
Queen -
American Snout -
Sleepy Orange
Other Wildlife (1)
-
Desert Blonde Tarantula
Nature Bingo at Irving/flume Trailhead, Gila
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Irving/flume Trailhead, Gila Climate & Sun
Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.
The annual average temperature here is 58.9°F, with 19.9 inches of precipitation.
Climate type: Semi-Arid
Annual avg temp: 58.9°F
Annual precipitation: 19.9 in
With an average annual temperature of 58.9°F and 19.9 inches of precipitation, Irving/flume has mild, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 78°F, while winter lows drop to 42°F.
Best months to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42°F | 2.3 in |
| Feb | 44°F | 2.4 in |
| Mar | 49°F | 2.2 in |
| Apr | 56°F | 0.8 in |
| May | 64°F | 0.6 in |
| Jun | 74°F | 0.2 in |
| Jul | 78°F | 2.2 in |
| Aug | 77°F | 3.1 in |
| Sep | 71°F | 1.6 in |
| Oct | 61°F | 1.4 in |
| Nov | 50°F | 1.2 in |
| Dec | 42°F | 1.9 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: 5:13 AM – 7:39 PM
Winter: 7:25 AM – 5:17 PM
Irving/flume Trailhead, Gila Trip Planning & Access
Here's the practical side of visiting Irving/flume.
Irving/flume is 71 miles from Phoenix — here's what to budget for the trip.
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 Irving/flume Trailhead, Gila
The area around Irving/flume has plenty more to offer.
If you're exploring this part of Arizona, these nearby spots complement a visit to Irving/flume.
Nearby Trails
- Waterfall Trail, Gila 0.61 mi
- Bob Bear Trail, Gila 2.8 mi
- Towel Creek Trail, Yavapai 4.64 mi
- Deadman Mesa Trail, Gila 5.33 mi
- Verde River Trail, Gila 6.04 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Childs Campground, Yavapai 5.93 mi
- Sharp Creek Group Campground, Gila 10.14 mi
- Clear Creek Campground (az) (N, 0mi), Yavapai 11.44 mi
- Clear Creek Campground, Yavapai 11.64 mi
- Lawrence Crossing Campground, Yavapai 18.57 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Irving/flume Trailhead, Gila
After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.
On clear nights, the Bortle class 4 skies above Irving/flume reveal constellations and bright planets.
Constellations
From Irving/flume, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.
-
Ursa Minor — Home to Polaris, the North Star, Ursa Minor forms a small dipper shape that circles the northern sky year-round. -
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 — 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 — 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 — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
-
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
-
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 — 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 Irving/flume Trailhead, Gila
The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.
Timing your visit to Irving/flume around seasonal highlights can make a major difference in what you experience.
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 Irving/flume Trailhead, Gila
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 Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache).
Territories
Languages
Indigenous languages connected to this territory include Dilzhę́’é (North), Yavapai.
Data from Native Land Digital
Irving/flume Trailhead, Gila Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Irving/flume 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
- Late to middle Miocene basaltic rocks
- Formation
- Hickey Formation
- Lithology
- Major:{basalt}
- Age
- Serravallian
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 12
- Unique Species
- 10
- Oldest
- 312.8 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 34
- Richness
- High
- Minerals Found
- Copper, Gold, Gypsum-Anhydrite, Silver, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Volcanic Materials, Pumice
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 118°F (1958-07-12)
- Record Low
- -9°F (1992-12-17)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 77
- Largest Fire
- Backbone (40,858 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Lower Fossil Creek
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 21.083%
Filming Locations
- Productions Filmed
- 228
- Notable Films
- Asteroid City, Jesus Is King, Transformers: The Last Knight, Sicario, Strange Blood, The Phoenix Incident, The Lone Ranger, Gravity, The Hangover Part III, The Vision of Paolo Soleri: Prophet in the Desert
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 5 (NUFORC)
- Bigfoot Reports
- 2 (BFRO)
- Eeriness Score
- 36/100
Irving/flume Trailhead, Gila Safety & Conditions
The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.
Before visiting Irving/flume, verify current conditions through these authoritative sources.
Coordinates: 34.4028, -111.6173