Mogollon Trailhead, Coconino
Trailheads in Arizona
Near Young, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Mogollon Trailhead, Coconino
A well-packed bag handles most of what this area can throw at you.
Between the Forest terrain and venomous snakes, your pack for Mogollon Trailhead needs a few specific items.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Water sources marked on maps may be seasonal or dry; carrying enough to complete your route prevents a dangerous shortfall.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Getting lost is the leading cause of backcountry search-and-rescue calls; reliable navigation prevents the situation entirely.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Prolonged sun exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion that can cut a trip short or create a medical emergency.
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First aid kit — Remote locations mean longer response times for help; a first aid kit bridges the gap between injury and professional care.
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Extra food — High-energy snacks weigh little but provide crucial fuel if you need to bushwhack out or wait for conditions to improve.
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Headlamp with extra batteries — Hands-free light is essential for navigating uneven terrain, setting up camp, or signaling for help at night.
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Fire starter — Waterproof matches or a ferro rod weigh almost nothing and can be the difference between a cold night and a survivable one.
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Emergency shelter (space blanket) — Wind and rain strip heat faster than most people realize; a compact emergency shelter blocks both.
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Knife or multi-tool — A multi-tool handles problems you can't predict: jammed zippers, tangled line, first-aid tape cutting, or gear fixes on the trail.
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Extra clothing layer — A lightweight fleece or puffy stuffs small but provides critical insulation if temperatures drop unexpectedly.
Wildlife Gear
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Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — A companion can help with first aid, signaling, and decision-making if a wildlife encounter turns serious.
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Noise maker — Group noise is especially important in dense brush or near berry patches where bears may be feeding and less alert.
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Gaiters — Thick gaiters deflect fangs before they reach skin, buying critical time in areas with rattlesnakes or copperheads.
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First-aid snakebite kit — Knowing how to immobilize a limb, mark swelling progression, and avoid harmful folk remedies can improve outcomes.
Terrain Gear
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Headlamp (extra) — Cave exploration, deep canyons, and dense forest canopy create darkness even during daylight hours.
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Emergency bivy — Unlike a space blanket, a bivy fully encloses you, trapping more warmth and blocking wind from all directions.
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PLB/satellite messenger — In remote wilderness with no cell coverage, a PLB is your only way to call for help during a serious injury or emergency.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Mogollon Trailhead, Coconino
The Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr is the prime window for visiting Mogollon Trailhead, when conditions favor backpacking and the weather cooperates.
With a photography score of 55/100, Mogollon Trailhead offers Good dark sky (Bortle 4) and 3 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.
Activities
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backpacking — Backpacking combines endurance, planning, and remote wilderness camping.
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hiking — Hiking ranges from gentle nature walks to challenging summit climbs.
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photography — Golden hour and dramatic weather can transform ordinary scenes into striking images.
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picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
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walking — Walking lets you slow down and notice details — wildflowers, birdsong, shifting light through trees.
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wildlife_viewing — Early mornings and dusk offer the best chances to quietly spot native wildlife.
Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Terrain: Forest — This terrain features mature trees, fallen logs, and filtered light beneath a closed canopy. Trails may wind through uneven roots and soft organic soil.
Wildlife Safety at Mogollon Trailhead, Coconino
A few species in this area warrant awareness — here's what to keep in mind.
Mogollon Trailhead carries a danger score of 25/10, driven primarily by venomous snakes.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Far from city (88mi)
- Good dark sky (Bortle 4)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Venomous Snakes
Watch your step — are present in the Forest habitat around Mogollon Trailhead.
- 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 Mogollon Trailhead, Coconino
The Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
Biodiversity at Mogollon Trailhead is shaped by the Forest terrain and Temperate climate, producing distinct plant and animal communities.
Trees (1)
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Arizona sycamore — Round seed balls hang on long stalks.
Wildflowers (4)
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purple owl's-clover — Upright stems with finely divided leaves. -
pinkflower hedgehog cactus — Bright pink funnel-shaped flowers at stem tips. -
California poppy — Finely divided blue-green foliage forming low mounds. -
Coulter's lupine — Seed pods develop and split when dry.
Shrubs (3)
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Brittlebush — A rounded desert shrub with silvery fuzzy leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers. -
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Bright cup-shaped flowers open in sunlight and are followed by spiny fruits. It thrives in rocky desert slopes and well-drained soils. -
Sonoran scrub oak — It typically grows in chaparral and desert foothills.
Other Plants (5)
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saguaro
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Buckhorn Cholla
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jojoba
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Panamint liveforever
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ocotillo
Mammals (1)
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White-tailed Deer — Slender build with long legs and large dark eyes.
Birds (30)
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Red-winged Blackbird — Streaked brown female -
House Sparrow — Plain brown female with buff eyebrow -
European Starling — Spotted winter plumage with pale speckles -
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Black half-collar on nape -
Dark-eyed Junco — Oregon form with dark hood and brown back
Reptiles (7)
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Ornate Tree Lizard — Males may show bluish patches on the belly. -
Plateau Fence Lizard — Males show blue belly patches. -
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — Black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle. -
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Distinct dark blotch behind the front legs on each side. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Color matches surrounding soil in browns and grays.
Amphibians (3)
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Canyon Tree Frog -
Red-spotted Toad -
Lowland Leopard Frog
Insects (6)
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Pipevine Swallowtail -
Queen -
Marine Blue -
Gray Buckeye -
Dainty Sulphur
Other Wildlife (1)
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Desert Blonde Tarantula
Nature Bingo at Mogollon Trailhead, Coconino
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Mogollon Trailhead, Coconino Climate & Sun
Use this climate breakdown to plan around the weather.
Temperature and precipitation data for Mogollon Trailhead help narrow down the ideal visit window.
Climate type: Temperate
Annual avg temp: 50.1°F
Annual precipitation: 33.3 in
With an average annual temperature of 50.1°F and 33.3 inches of precipitation, Mogollon Trailhead has mild, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 69°F, while winter lows drop to 34°F.
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34°F | 4.6 in |
| Feb | 36°F | 4.2 in |
| Mar | 41°F | 3.7 in |
| Apr | 46°F | 1.4 in |
| May | 55°F | 1.0 in |
| Jun | 65°F | 0.3 in |
| Jul | 69°F | 3.4 in |
| Aug | 67°F | 4.1 in |
| Sep | 62°F | 2.3 in |
| Oct | 52°F | 1.7 in |
| Nov | 42°F | 2.3 in |
| Dec | 34°F | 4.3 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: 5:10 AM – 7:36 PM
Winter: 7:22 AM – 5:15 PM
Mogollon Trailhead, Coconino Trip Planning & Access
With the lay of the land covered, here are the trip planning details.
At 88 miles from Phoenix, Mogollon Trailhead is a short road trip for most visitors.
Visitor Friendliness
Visitor friendliness: families (excellent), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (highly_suitable).
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: excellent
- Elderly: highly_suitable
- Strollers: excellent (100/100)
- Beginners: Good starting point
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (95/100)
Places Near Mogollon Trailhead, Coconino
Nearby trails, campgrounds, and attractions expand what you can do on this trip.
Don't limit your trip to just Mogollon Trailhead — the surrounding area has 13 more places to discover.
Nearby Trails
- Woods Canyon Nature Trail, Coconino 0.85 mi
- Military Sink Hole Trail, Gila 0.97 mi
- Meadow Trail, Coconino 0.99 mi
- Woods Canyon Lake Connector, Coconino 1.07 mi
- Woods Canyon Lake Trail, Coconino 1.07 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Mogollon Campground (N, 0mi), Coconino 0.21 mi
- Aspen (az) Campground, Coconino 0.57 mi
- Aspen Cg Campground, Coconino 0.57 mi
- Crook Cg Campground, Coconino 0.68 mi
- Crook Campground (N, 0mi), Coconino 0.72 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Mogollon Trailhead, Coconino
Don't pack up when the sun goes down — the night sky here has plenty to offer.
Night falls differently here — the Bortle 4 rating means Rural/suburban transition visibility for stars, planets, and meteor showers.
Constellations
Look for Ursa Minor, Cepheus — all visible from this location depending on the season.
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Ursa Minor — This compact constellation contains Polaris at the end of its handle, a reliable guide to true north. -
Cepheus — Named for a mythological king, this constellation sits beside Cassiopeia and is circumpolar in northern latitudes.
Meteor Showers
For meteor viewing, the Geminids (December 13-14) offers the best show at this location.
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Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.
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Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.
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Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)This steady shower rewards patient observers in dark, moonless conditions.
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 Mogollon Trailhead, Coconino
Different seasons reveal different sides of Mogollon Trailhead.
Nature at Mogollon Trailhead follows a seasonal calendar — here's when to come for what you want to see.
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 Mogollon Trailhead, Coconino
This landscape holds cultural significance that extends far beyond recreation.
The cultural landscape of Mogollon Trailhead reflects the long presence of Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache) on this land.
Territories
Languages
1 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: Dilzhę́’é (South).
Data from Native Land Digital
Mogollon Trailhead, Coconino Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Mogollon Trailhead 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
- 1
- Unique Species
- 1
- Oldest
- 283.3 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 20
- Richness
- Moderate
- Minerals Found
- Manganese, Iron, Barium-Barite, Fire Clay (Refractory), Kaolin, Clay, Silica, Sand and Gravel
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 96°F (2005-07-12)
- Record Low
- -22°F (1949-01-04)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 172
- Largest Fire
- Dudley (20,116.7 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Caves & Karst Features
- Feature Types
- Carbonate rocks at or near the land surface in a humid climate
- Karst Score
- 40
Watershed
- Watershed
- Upper Wildcat Canyon
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- Bigfoot Reports
- 5 (BFRO)
- Eeriness Score
- 30/100
Mogollon Trailhead, Coconino Safety & Conditions
For up-to-the-minute safety information, use these official resources.
Don't rely on forecasts alone — check these live sources for the latest conditions near Mogollon Trailhead.
Coordinates: 34.321005, -110.953011