Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), Greenlee
Trailheads in Arizona
Near Blue, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), Greenlee
Preparation starts with your pack. Here's what to bring.
The conditions at Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34) 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.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), Greenlee
The Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
The Forest landscape around Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34) makes it well suited for backpacking, hiking, photography.
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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backpacking — Lightweight equipment and route awareness are key for safe travel.
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hiking — With sturdy footwear and preparation, trails open up expansive views and quiet solitude.
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photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
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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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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: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Terrain: Forest — Expect cooler temperatures and higher humidity under tree cover. Wildlife habitat is abundant, especially in mixed hardwood or conifer stands.
Wildlife Safety at Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), Greenlee
Knowing what to watch for helps you enjoy the outdoors here safely.
Wildlife safety at Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34) comes down to awareness. The area's danger score of 35/10 reflects Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Flood zone, Remote (150mi from city).
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Flood zone
- Remote (150mi 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 Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), Greenlee
The Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
Nature at Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34) includes 4 tree species, 1 wildflower, and a range of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Trees (4)
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Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Its thick bark forms broad orange plates separated by dark fissures. -
Emory oak — Leaves are glossy dark green above. -
Arizona sycamore — Large lobed leaves resemble those of other sycamores. -
gray oak — The bark is gray and lightly furrowed.
Wildflowers (1)
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California poppy — Four-petaled blooms that close at night or in cool weather.
Shrubs (2)
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Creosote Bush — An evergreen desert shrub with small resinous leaves divided into paired leaflets. -
tree cholla — Spines detach easily and cling to fur or clothing. The plant produces greenish to yellow flowers in spring.
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 — Sure-footed build adapted to steep cliffs. -
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.
Birds (30)
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Mountain Bluebird — Slim thrush shape -
Bufflehead — Compact body and short bill -
Common Raven — Heavy bill and wedge-shaped tail -
Gadwall — White wing patch visible in flight -
Sandhill Crane — Long legs and neck
Reptiles (5)
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Greater Earless Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including tail. -
Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake — Usually 2.5–4 feet long. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long. -
Gopher Snake — Adults commonly reach 3–6 feet in length. -
Clark's Spiny Lizard — Usually 5–8 inches long.
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 Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), Greenlee
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), Greenlee Climate & Sun
Here's the weather and sun data to help you pick the best time to visit.
Expect Semi-Arid weather at Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), with the most comfortable conditions from Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Climate type: Semi-Arid
Annual avg temp: 54.9°F
Annual precipitation: 17 in
With an average annual temperature of 54.9°F and 17 inches of precipitation, Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34) has mild, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 74°F, while winter lows drop to 38°F.
Best months to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 1.5 in |
| Feb | 41°F | 1.4 in |
| Mar | 46°F | 1.1 in |
| Apr | 52°F | 0.5 in |
| May | 60°F | 0.4 in |
| Jun | 70°F | 0.4 in |
| Jul | 74°F | 2.8 in |
| Aug | 72°F | 3.2 in |
| Sep | 67°F | 2.1 in |
| Oct | 57°F | 1.1 in |
| Nov | 46°F | 1.0 in |
| Dec | 38°F | 1.5 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 10 hours in winter to 14.4 hours in summer — a difference of 4.4 hours.
Summer: 5:07 AM – 7:28 PM
Winter: 7:14 AM – 5:11 PM
Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), Greenlee Trip Planning & Access
Now for the logistics — distances, costs, and accessibility details for Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34).
Plan for a drive from Phoenix to reach Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34).
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: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Places Near Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), Greenlee
Extend your trip with these nearby outdoor spots.
Extend your visit with these nearby options — 14 destinations sit within range of Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34).
Nearby Trails
- Coyote Trail, Greenlee 1.16 mi
- Warren Canyon Trail, Greenlee 2.97 mi
- Squirrel Canyon Trail, Greenlee 3.67 mi
- Mud Springs Trail, Greenlee 3.68 mi
- Cow Head Trail, Greenlee 4.36 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Honeymoon Campground (N, 0mi), Greenlee 0.09 mi
- Kp Cienega Cg Campground, Greenlee 10.08 mi
- Strayhorse Cg Campground, Greenlee 10.8 mi
- Hannagan Cg Campground, Greenlee 14.2 mi
- Upper Juan Miller Cg Campground, Greenlee 16.12 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), Greenlee
The night sky adds another dimension to an overnight visit here.
Stargazing at Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34) 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 Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), Greenlee
Beyond the night sky, the changing seasons shape what you'll experience here.
Each season reveals a different side of Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), 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 Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), Greenlee
The natural world here has been shaped by thousands of years of Indigenous stewardship.
The land around Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34) has been home to Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache) for thousands of years.
Territories
Data from Native Land Digital
Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), Greenlee Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34) 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
- 8
- Richness
- Moderate
- Minerals Found
- Sand and Gravel, Construction, Uranium, Stone
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 105°F (2017-06-06)
- Record Low
- -37°F (1963-01-13)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 60
- Largest Fire
- Rattlesnake (26,068.3 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Yellow Pine Tank-Black River
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34), Greenlee 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 Lower Squirrel Trailhead (#34).
Coordinates: 33.474092, -109.480575