Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino
Trails in Arizona
What to Pack for Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino
Being properly equipped turns potential hazards into manageable situations.
This packing list is tailored to the Desert environment and Semi-Arid at Snake Gulch.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
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First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
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Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
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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.
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Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
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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.
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Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
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Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.
Wildlife Gear
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Bear canister — Storing food in a bear canister prevents bears from associating humans with food, which is the leading cause of dangerous bear behavior.
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Bear spray — Studies show bear spray stops aggressive bear behavior in over 90% of encounters, outperforming firearms in field effectiveness.
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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.
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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.
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Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
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Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
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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
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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
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Wide-brim hat — A wide brim shades your face, ears, and neck simultaneously, reducing UV exposure and lowering heat stroke risk.
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Sunscreen SPF50+ — Reflected UV from water, sand, and snow can burn exposed skin even on overcast days; SPF50+ blocks 98% of UVB rays.
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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 Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino
The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
The terrain here lends itself to hiking, photography, picnicking — activities that match the Desert environment.
Photographers rate this area 65/100, with Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.
Activities
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hiking — Follow marked trails through forests, deserts, or alpine terrain for a deeper connection with nature.
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photography — Capture landscapes, wildlife, and changing light across trails, coastlines, and mountain vistas.
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picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
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running — Hit scenic trails or park loops for a workout surrounded by fresh air and open space.
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walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
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wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Desert — Desert terrain features sparse vegetation, exposed soils, and wide temperature swings between day and night.
Wildlife Safety at Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino
Part of visiting responsibly is understanding the wildlife safety considerations for this area.
The wildlife safety profile at Snake Gulch includes bears, venomous snakes — here's what to know about each.
- Bears present
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (158mi 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.
If you encounter one, speak calmly, make yourself appear larger, and back away slowly without running.
- 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.
Remove constrictive items and remain calm; do not cut, suck, or apply ice to the wound.
A large rattlesnake with diamond-like dorsal blotches and a banded tail similar to the Western Diamondback.
Keep the victim calm and monitor breathing while awaiting medical care.
A small pale rattlesnake with horn-like scales above each eye and a sidewinding mode of travel.
Do not attempt to capture the snake; focus on reaching emergency care quickly.
- 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 Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino
The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
The natural world around Snake Gulch reflects its Desert setting — Southwestern Ponderosa Pine and Gambel Oak overhead, Stansbury's Cliffrose at your feet, and wildlife throughout.
Trees (2)
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Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Southwestern Ponderosa Pine is a large, long-needled conifer adapted to dry, high-elevation forests. -
Gambel Oak — Gambel oak is a small to medium deciduous tree with deeply lobed leaves that resemble classic oak shapes.
Wildflowers (1)
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Stansbury's Cliffrose — Evergreen shrub with finely divided gray-green leaves.
Shrubs (2)
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Roundleaf buffaloberry — Red berries appear in late summer. -
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Engelmann's hedgehog cactus is a low, clumping barrel cactus with cylindrical stems covered in dense radial spines. Flowers are large and showy, typically magenta to pink, blooming in late spring.
Other Plants (5)
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Whipple Cholla
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Spinystar
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Kingcup Cactus
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Utah Juniper
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Plains Pricklypear
Mammals (5)
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Abert's Squirrel — A gray tree squirrel with distinctive long ear tufts in winter. -
Mule Deer — A large deer with oversized mule-like ears and a black-tipped tail. -
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel — Chipmunk-like rodent with golden shoulders and white eye ring. -
Pronghorn — A slender tan-and-white ungulate with distinctive black facial markings. -
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel — A small desert squirrel with tan fur and white stripe along sides.
Birds (10)
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Common Raven — Large all-black bird with shaggy throat -
Horned Lark — Pale brown with black facial mask -
California Condor — Large black body -
Bald Eagle — Adult with white head and tail -
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — Blue head and wings
Reptiles (9)
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Desert Spiny Lizard — A robust lizard with rough spiny scales and gray to brown coloration. -
Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — A stout-bodied lizard with short horns on the back of the head. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — A small spiny lizard with gray to brown coloration and subtle patterning. -
Gopher Snake — A large tan or yellowish snake with dark brown blotches along the back.
Insects (7)
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Convergent Lady Beetle -
Hunt's Bumble Bee -
Pandora Pinemoth -
Anicia Checkerspot -
Painted Lady
Nature Bingo at Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino Climate & Sun
Reference data: temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours by month.
The climate at Snake Gulch peaks for outdoor activity during May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, when temperatures average °F.
Climate type: Semi-Arid
Annual avg temp: 52.5°F
Annual precipitation: 16.1 in
With an average annual temperature of 52.5°F and 16.1 inches of precipitation, Snake Gulch has mild, dry conditions. Summer highs average around 74°F, while winter lows drop to 34°F.
Best months to visit: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34°F | 1.6 in |
| Feb | 37°F | 1.6 in |
| Mar | 43°F | 1.9 in |
| Apr | 49°F | 1.1 in |
| May | 58°F | 0.8 in |
| Jun | 69°F | 0.3 in |
| Jul | 74°F | 1.4 in |
| Aug | 72°F | 1.8 in |
| Sep | 65°F | 1.4 in |
| Oct | 54°F | 1.7 in |
| Nov | 42°F | 1.1 in |
| Dec | 34°F | 1.4 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 9.7 hours in winter to 14.7 hours in summer — a difference of 5 hours.
Summer: 5:09 AM – 7:49 PM
Winter: 7:34 AM – 5:14 PM
Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino Trip Planning & Access
Here's the practical side of visiting Snake Gulch.
Whether it's a day trip or weekend getaway from Las Vegas, here's what visiting Snake Gulch involves.
Visitor Friendliness
This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, excellent for families, and moderate for elderly visitors.
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: excellent (Some climbing (500-1000ft))
- 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 Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino
The area around Snake Gulch has plenty more to offer.
The proximity of 10 other outdoor spots makes this area ideal for multi-day exploration.
Nearby Trails
- Jacob Canyon Trail, Coconino 3.69 mi
- Big Spring Lookout Trail, Coconino 7.44 mi
- Brow Monument Trail, Coconino 8.64 mi
- North Timp Snowmobile Trail, Coconino 8.87 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
Stargazing & Night Sky at Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino
After a day outdoors, the evening sky here is worth a look.
Under the Bortle class 1 skies at Snake Gulch, you can expect to see 3 major constellations and constellations and bright planets.
Constellations
From Snake Gulch, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
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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:
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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 Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino
The time of year you visit changes what you'll see and do.
Knowing what each season brings helps you plan the best possible visit to Snake Gulch.
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 5836ft 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 Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino
Before planning your trip, it's worth recognizing the Indigenous peoples connected to this land.
For thousands of years, this land has been cared for by Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), Pueblos and their ancestors.
Territories
Data from Native Land Digital
Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Snake Gulch 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
- 3
- Unique Species
- 3
- Oldest
- 283.3 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 12
- Richness
- Moderate
- Minerals Found
- Copper, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Gold, Silver, Iron, Manganese
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 110°F (2005-07-17)
- Record Low
- -20°F (1973-01-06)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 55
- Largest Fire
- MANGUM (71,484.1 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Caves & Karst Features
- Feature Types
- Carbonate rocks at or near the land surface in a dry climate
- Karst Score
- 40
Watershed
- Watershed
- Jacob Canyon
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- Bigfoot Reports
- 1 (BFRO)
- Eeriness Score
- 8/100
Snake Gulch Trail, Coconino Safety & Conditions
The weather data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening right now.
Safety starts with current information. These resources cover real-time conditions near Snake Gulch.
Coordinates: 36.708571, -112.376941