Brave the Elements
The high country of the Coconino National Forest high elevation zone on the Colorado Plateau. In this region, elevations above the Mogollon Rim are typically around 7,000 feet above sea level — rising to nearly 13,000 feet above sea level at Humphreys Peak, and 9,000 feet above sea level (or more) in the surrounding Cinder Hills.
The weather of the Coconino National Forest varies drastically depending on season. Winters can be cold and snowy with temperatures frequently dipping below freezing, and summers can be dry and hot. Northern Arizona visitors should plan accordingly and keep safety in mind during all seasons here on the forest.
When you travel into the forest away from managed recreation facilities, you are on your own.
You may find yourself in an area without cellphone service. If you can call for help, it could take hours for help to get to your location. Planning in advance, knowing how to stay safe, dressing appropriately, carrying the right gear, and being prepared for an emergency could make the difference between life and death.
Prepare for Winter Weather
Northern elevations of the Coconino National Forest can average more than 100 inches of snow per year. While this allows visitors to enjoy all that snow has to offer — including skiing, sledding and snowplay — it comes with risks.
Remain aware of freezing temperatures, avalanches and treacherous terrain during winter months on the Coconino.
Snow and Winter Safety Tips
Know the current conditions and the forecast. Weather in the Flagstaff and Rim Country can be unpredictable. A sunny day can quickly turn into a blizzard.
- Flagstaff Area weather (National Weather Service)
- Recreational Forecast Information for the San Francisco Peaks (National Weather Service)
- Snowpack Summary for the San Francisco Peaks (Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center)
Check appropriate websites for news, closures and alerts.
Know where you're going and what kind of terrain you'll be encountering. Get a map and know how to navigate with a compass.
- Maps: general recreation maps sold at our offices and available online
- Major Snow Avalanche Zones Map for the San Francisco Peaks (Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center)
Take first aid and equipment classes, gain experience, and learn your limits before going beyond the managed recreation boundaries.
- Tell someone who cares about your welfare where you are going. Let at least one family member, friend, or coworker know where you are going and what your plan is.
- Educate yourself on hazards in the backcountry: Visit the Kachina Peak Avalanche Center website.
- Buddy system! Never go alone.
- Carry the right gear.
- Water
- Food
- Extra warm clothing
- Map, compass, and GPS (do NOT depend solely on your GPS or phone - electronics fail!)
- Headlamp and/or flashlight
- First aid kit
- Shelter, tarp, or emergency blanket
- Matches and a fire kit
- Knife, multi-tool, and tape
- Whistle and signal mirror
Plus, three bonus essentials for the San Francisco Peaks:
- Shovel
- Avalanche beacon/transceiver
- Avalanche probe pole
Critical Avalanche Safety
There are 75 major avalanche zones on the San Francisco Peaks. It is absolutely critical you know how to avoid getting caught in an avalanche and how to rescue yourself if you do get caught.
- Take the Avalanche Safety Tutorial (avalanche.org)
- Attend Avalanche courses and clinics held by the Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center. The introductory level course is free. A fee is required for more advanced courses. Scholarships are available to assist with course fees.
Avalanche Awareness in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness
Students at Northern Arizona University in Professor Martha Lee's Wilderness Management class created this video as part of a larger class project. The project was undertaken in close cooperation with USDA Forest Service personnel and designed to improve the information available to Wilderness users.
Additional Resources
Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center
Arizona avalanche information and snowpack summaries.
Avalanche.org
A national resource for avalanche information.
Know Before You Go: Avalanche Awareness
Plan for Summer's Hazards
Lower elevations on the Coconino National Forest present all the challenges and safety hazards that accompany a desert climate, especially in the hot summer months.
Remain aware of high temperatures, limited shade and low humidities during summer months on the Coconino.
The easiest way to keep the sun off your skin is to stay in the shade. Find a shelter, an umbrella, or a tree. The best time of day to avoid is between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4 p.m.
When it’s possible, wear long pants, shirts with long sleeves, and a broad-brimmed hat. Not all fabrics are made equal. In fact, a typical T-shirt provides less than the minimum recommended sun protection of (sun protection factor) SPF 15. Wet clothes also provide far less sun protection.
There is some clothing that is certified by international standards and provides information about its SPF.
Sunscreen works by reflecting, scattering or absorbing sunlight. It is recommended that SPF 15 be used at a minimum. The higher the SPF, the stronger the protection.
Sunscreen should be applied to any exposed skin when you are outdoors. It needs to be reapplied every two hours and after sweating, swimming or toweling off.
Sunscreens also expire. Those without expiration dates has a shelf life of no more than three years—less if it is stored in high temperatures.
Your eyes also aren’t immune to the effects of UV radiation. UV radiation can cause cataracts and other eye disease. Sunglasses should provide both UVA and UVB protection. Most sunglasses sold in the U.S. provide that protection.
For more information on protecting yourself from the sun and preventing skin cancer, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Consider carrying rehydration salts and avoid caffeinated and carbonated beverages.