Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino
Trails in Arizona
Photo: Kaibab National Forest / CC BY-SA 2.0
What to Pack for Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino
Given these conditions, here's what to pack for a safe and comfortable visit.
The right gear turns potential problems into non-issues. Here's what Jumpup/nail demands.
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
-
Bear canister — Storing food in a bear canister prevents bears from associating humans with food, which is the leading cause of dangerous bear behavior.
-
Bear spray — Studies show bear spray stops aggressive bear behavior in over 90% of encounters, outperforming firearms in field effectiveness.
-
Bear bell — Most bear encounters happen when hikers surprise a bear at close range; a bell provides continuous noise that alerts bears to your presence.
-
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.
Climate Gear
-
Layering system (wide temp swings) — Desert and mountain environments can swing 40+ degrees between dawn and midday; layers let you adapt without overheating or freezing.
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 Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino
The Desert Grassland terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Jumpup/nail draws visitors for hiking, but the 6 available activities mean there's more here than most expect.
Photographers rate this area 65/100, with Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.
Activities
-
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.
-
running — Hit scenic trails or park loops for a workout surrounded by fresh air and open space.
-
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: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Desert Grassland — Desert grassland blends arid conditions with scattered grasses and shrubs.
Wildlife Safety at Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino
While the wildlife here is part of the experience, some species require caution and preparation.
Awareness is the best safety tool at Jumpup/nail. Here are the wildlife considerations for this area.
- Bears present
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (147mi from city)
- Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Bears
This is Black Bear country. Encounters are uncommon but possible, especially during .
A stocky bear with rounded ears, a straight facial profile, and short curved claws built for climbing.
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
Venomous snakes here include Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder. They're most active during warm months.
A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped blotches along the back and a black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.
Seek emergency medical care immediately and keep the bitten limb immobilized at heart level.
A large rattlesnake with diamond-like dorsal blotches and a banded tail similar to the Western Diamondback.
Call emergency services immediately and limit movement to slow venom spread.
A small pale rattlesnake with horn-like scales above each eye and a sidewinding mode of travel.
Seek immediate medical attention and immobilize the affected limb.
- 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 Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino
The Desert Grassland terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
30 bird species have been documented near Jumpup/nail, alongside 6 mammals and a rich variety of native plants.
Wildflowers (1)
-
Crimson Monkeyflower — Bright red tubular flowers with yellow throats.
Shrubs (5)
-
Creosote Bush — An evergreen desert shrub with small resinous leaves divided into paired leaflets. -
Brittlebush — A rounded desert shrub with silvery fuzzy leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers. -
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Adapted to desert heat, this cactus stores water in thick stems and tolerates prolonged drought.
Other Plants (5)
-
California Barrel Cactus
-
ocotillo
-
Echinocereus canyonensis
-
Utah Agave
-
Plains Pricklypear
Mammals (6)
-
Bighorn Sheep — Stocky mountain sheep with tan coat and white rump. -
Mule Deer — A large deer with oversized mule-like ears and a black-tipped tail. -
Rock Squirrel — A large ground squirrel with mottled gray-brown fur and bushy tail. -
Wapiti — Also known as elk, this large deer has a tan body with dark neck and pale rump patch. -
Desert Cottontail — Gray-brown rabbit with large ears and white underside to tail.
Birds (30)
-
Red-winged Blackbird — Male black with red and yellow shoulder patch -
Rock Pigeon — Blue-gray with two black wing bars -
Gambel's Quail — Gray body with chestnut flanks -
Mourning Dove — Soft gray-brown body -
White-crowned Sparrow — Bold black and white crown stripes
Reptiles (11)
-
Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration. -
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake — A medium rattlesnake with speckled gray or pink coloration. -
Gopher Snake — A large tan or yellowish snake with dark brown blotches along the back. -
Desert Spiny Lizard — A robust lizard with rough spiny scales and gray to brown coloration. -
Western Whiptail — A slender, fast-moving lizard with a very long tail and distinct pale stripes over a dark body.
Amphibians (2)
-
Red-spotted Toad -
Woodhouse's Toad
Insects (12)
-
Thistledown Velvet Ant -
Master Blister Beetle -
Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth -
Obscure Darkling Beetle
-
Western Honey Bee
Other Wildlife (3)
-
Arizona Bark Scorpion
-
Desert Tarantula
-
Swift Woodlouse
Nature Bingo at Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino Climate & Sun
For detailed planning, here's the climate data for this area.
The weather at Jumpup/nail follows a Semi-Arid pattern — here's the monthly breakdown.
Climate type: Semi-Arid
Annual avg temp: 56.2°F
Annual precipitation: 13.4 in
With an average annual temperature of 56.2°F and 13.4 inches of precipitation, Jumpup/nail has mild, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 78°F, while winter lows drop to 38°F.
Best months to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 1.5 in |
| Feb | 40°F | 1.7 in |
| Mar | 47°F | 1.4 in |
| Apr | 53°F | 0.8 in |
| May | 62°F | 0.6 in |
| Jun | 73°F | 0.3 in |
| Jul | 78°F | 1.1 in |
| Aug | 76°F | 1.4 in |
| Sep | 69°F | 1.2 in |
| Oct | 57°F | 1.3 in |
| Nov | 46°F | 0.9 in |
| Dec | 37°F | 1.2 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: 4:11 AM – 6:49 PM
Winter: 6:34 AM – 4:15 PM
Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino Trip Planning & Access
Planning your trip to Jumpup/nail — here's the practical information you'll need.
From Las Vegas, Jumpup/nail is a drive covering 147 miles.
Visitor Friendliness
This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, good for families, and moderate for elderly visitors.
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: good (Steep climb (>1000ft))
- Elderly: moderate (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 Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino
There's more to explore in this part of Arizona.
Here's what else is nearby if you want to expand your itinerary beyond Jumpup/nail.
Nearby Trails
- Thunder River Trail (NW, 3mi), Coconino 3.38 mi
- Gooseneck Trail, Coconino 5.37 mi
- Bill Hall Trail (W, 1mi), Coconino 6.24 mi
- Deer Creek Trail, Coconino 7.2 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Indian Hollow Campground, Coconino 3.36 mi
- Jumpup Cabin Campground, Coconino 6.17 mi
- Big Springs Cabin Site, Coconino 12.15 mi
- Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino 19.24 mi
- Jacob Lake Recreation Area Campground, Coconino 22.46 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino
Once you're geared up and settled in, the night sky here offers its own rewards.
Jumpup/nail sits under Bortle class 1 skies — Excellent dark-sky site for stargazing in Arizona.
Constellations
From Jumpup/nail, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, 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. -
Cassiopeia — Easily recognized by its bright W-shaped pattern, Cassiopeia stands out in northern skies. -
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 Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino
The sky isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons at Jumpup/nail.
Jumpup/nail is a year-round destination, but each season has its own character and highlights.
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 6151ft 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 Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino
This area sits on land with a deep human history that predates modern recreation.
The 2 Indigenous groups connected to this land include Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), Pueblos.
Territories
Data from Native Land Digital
Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Jumpup/nail 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 to Pennsylvanian sedimentary rocks
- Formation
- Hermit Formation; Supai Group; Schnebly Hill Formation; Naco Group
- Lithology
- Major:{sandstone,shale,limestone}
- Age
- Paleozoic
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 9
- Unique Species
- 8
- Oldest
- 283.3 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 3
- Richness
- Low
- Minerals Found
- Asbestos, Copper, Silver, Lead
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 96°F (2003-07-10)
- Record Low
- -15°F (2011-01-01)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 120
- Largest Fire
- Bridger Knoll (53,376.8 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Caves & Karst Features
- Feature Types
- Evaporite rocks at or near the land surface in a dry climate
- Karst Score
- 20
Watershed
- Watershed
- Tapeats Creek
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Jumpup/nail Trail, Coconino Safety & Conditions
Before heading out, check these real-time safety resources for current conditions.
Check these official resources for current conditions at Jumpup/nail before you go.
Coordinates: 36.497226, -112.526074