Salt House Trailhead (#18), Greenlee
Trailheads in Arizona
What to Pack for Salt House Trailhead (#18), Greenlee
Preparation starts with your pack. Here's what to bring.
Preparation for Salt House Trailhead (#18) starts with your pack. These items address the real risks and conditions here.
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.
Climate Gear
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Insulated layers — Layering lets you regulate temperature as conditions change, preventing the sweat buildup that causes chills later.
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Hand warmers — Beyond comfort, hand warmers can help treat mild hypothermia by warming blood flowing through the extremities.
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Thermos — A thermos also works in reverse: cold water stays cold in summer heat, encouraging steady hydration.
Terrain Gear
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Trekking poles — Trekking poles also serve as emergency splint supports, tarp poles, or probes for testing snow depth.
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Ankle-support boots — Stiff soles transfer less impact on rocky terrain, reducing foot fatigue over long distances.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Salt House Trailhead (#18), Greenlee
The Mountain Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
With 6 activities available, Salt House Trailhead (#18) works for both quick day trips and longer stays.
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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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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running — From flat paths to rolling hills, running outdoors adds variety to your routine.
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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: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Mountain Forest — Streams, ravines, and varied canopy structure are common.
Wildlife Safety at Salt House Trailhead (#18), Greenlee
Knowing what to watch for helps you enjoy the outdoors here safely.
Safety at Salt House Trailhead (#18) involves knowing about 1 potential wildlife hazards in the area.
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (157mi from city)
- Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Venomous Snakes
4 venomous snake species are found in this area: Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder, Arizona Coral Snake.
Broad triangular head, vertical pupils, and a stout body often exceeding 3 to 4 feet in length.
Seek emergency medical care immediately and keep the bitten limb immobilized at heart level.
Distinct facial stripe behind the eye and a prominent rattle.
Call emergency services immediately and limit movement to slow venom spread.
Usually under 2 feet long with a relatively short rattle.
Seek immediate medical attention and immobilize the affected limb.
Head is blunt with a black snout.
Seek emergency medical care immediately.
- 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 Salt House Trailhead (#18), Greenlee
The Mountain Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
This Mountain Forest habitat supports 7 mammal species, 11 bird species, and 5 reptile species.
Trees (2)
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Gambel Oak — Gambel oak is a small to medium deciduous tree with deeply lobed leaves that resemble classic oak shapes. -
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Southwestern Ponderosa Pine is a large, long-needled conifer adapted to dry, high-elevation forests.
Wildflowers (6)
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upright prairie coneflower — Distinct elongated brown cone above reflexed petals. -
Woods' rose — Red rose hips forming after flowering. -
golden columbine — Lantern-like blooms adapted to hummingbird pollination. -
manyflowered gromwell — Low clumping plant with narrow foliage. -
cutleaf coneflower — Multiple bright blooms forming loose clusters.
Other Plants (5)
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western blue flag
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Scarlet Gilia
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great mullein
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MacDougal verbena
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scarlet cinquefoil
Mammals (7)
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Wapiti — Adults may weigh 500–1,000 pounds. -
Bighorn Sheep — Sure-footed build adapted to steep cliffs. -
Mule Deer — Bucks carry branching antlers that fork rather than form a single main beam. -
Pronghorn — Built for speed with long legs and large lungs. -
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel — Bushy tail and alert posture.
Birds (11)
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Wild Turkey — Paler Rio Grande subspecies in the West -
Canada Goose — Smaller cackling-type with shorter neck -
Dark-eyed Junco — Pink-sided form with pale gray and buff flanks -
Mountain Bluebird — Slim thrush shape -
Bufflehead — Compact body and short bill
Reptiles (5)
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Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — Typically grows 18–36 inches long with a narrow head and round pupils. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long. -
Southwestern Fence Lizard — Typically 5–8 inches long including tail. -
Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail.
Amphibians (3)
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Arizona Tree Frog -
Western Tiger Salamander -
Arizona Toad
Insects (12)
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Blue Fungus Beetle -
Ridings' Satyr -
Nokomis Fritillary
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Common Ringlet -
Ruddy Copper
Fungi (6)
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lobster mushroom -
Barrow's Bolete
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Kaibab Jack -
Spring Polypore -
Floccularia albolanaripes
Other Wildlife (1)
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Speckled Dace
Nature Bingo at Salt House Trailhead (#18), Greenlee
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Salt House Trailhead (#18), Greenlee Climate & Sun
Here's the weather and sun data to help you pick the best time to visit.
Best months to visit based on climate: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep. Avoid unless prepared for .
Climate type: Temperate
Annual avg temp: 45.4°F
Annual precipitation: 30.4 in
With an average annual temperature of 45.4°F and 30.4 inches of precipitation, Salt House Trailhead (#18) has cool, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 62°F, while winter lows drop to 31°F.
Best months to visit: Jun, Sep. Consider avoiding: Jan, Aug, Dec.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°F | 3.1 in |
| Feb | 32°F | 2.6 in |
| Mar | 37°F | 2.6 in |
| Apr | 42°F | 1.2 in |
| May | 50°F | 0.9 in |
| Jun | 60°F | 0.6 in |
| Jul | 62°F | 4.4 in |
| Aug | 60°F | 5.2 in |
| Sep | 56°F | 2.7 in |
| Oct | 47°F | 2.0 in |
| Nov | 38°F | 2.2 in |
| Dec | 31°F | 2.9 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: 5:06 AM – 7:28 PM
Winter: 7:14 AM – 5:10 PM
Salt House Trailhead (#18), Greenlee Trip Planning & Access
Now for the logistics — distances, costs, and accessibility details for Salt House Trailhead (#18).
Phoenix is the nearest hub at 157 miles — here's the trip breakdown.
Visitor Friendliness
Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (good), elderly-friendly (moderate).
- 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 Salt House Trailhead (#18), Greenlee
Extend your trip with these nearby outdoor spots.
Nearby options include trails and campgrounds within a short drive.
Nearby Trails
- Blue Vista Trail, Greenlee 0.27 mi
- Kp Trailhead (#70), Greenlee 0.71 mi
- Highline Trail, Greenlee 1.45 mi
- Crabtree Trail, Greenlee 1.83 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Kp Cienega Cg Campground, Greenlee 0.56 mi
- Strayhorse Cg Campground, Greenlee 2.55 mi
- Hannagan Cg Campground, Greenlee 4.96 mi
- Honeymoon Campground (N, 0mi), Greenlee 9.62 mi
- Caldwell Cabin Campground, Apache 12.35 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Salt House Trailhead (#18), Greenlee
The night sky adds another dimension to an overnight visit here.
The dark sky quality at Salt House Trailhead (#18) (Bortle 2) places it among the darkest stargazing spots in the area.
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 Salt House Trailhead (#18), Greenlee
Beyond the night sky, the changing seasons shape what you'll experience here.
The seasonal rhythm at Salt House Trailhead (#18) shapes what you'll see on the trail, in the sky, and across the landscape.
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 Salt House Trailhead (#18), Greenlee
The natural world here has been shaped by thousands of years of Indigenous stewardship.
Recognition of Indigenous stewardship matters. Salt House Trailhead (#18) lies within the ancestral lands of Chiricahua Apache, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē: (Western Apache).
Territories
Data from Native Land Digital
Salt House Trailhead (#18), Greenlee Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Salt House Trailhead (#18) 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
- Pliocene to middle Miocene deposits
- Lithology
- Major:{conglomerate,sandstone}, Minor:{mudstone,siltstone,limestone,gypsum}
- Age
- Cenozoic
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 11
- Richness
- Moderate
- Minerals Found
- Sand and Gravel, Construction, Volcanic Materials
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 2513
- ESA Endangered
- 61
- ESA Threatened
- 31
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 105°F (1970-07-14)
- Record Low
- -18°F (1990-12-23)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 211
- Largest Fire
- Wallow (538,051.6 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Grant Creek
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- Bigfoot Reports
- 1 (BFRO)
- Eeriness Score
- 8/100
Salt House Trailhead (#18), Greenlee Safety & Conditions
Check current conditions from these authoritative sources before you go.
Official condition reports for Salt House Trailhead (#18) cover weather, wildfire activity, flood status, and road conditions.
Coordinates: 33.568039, -109.356298