Peeley. A mix of trees and cactus along the trail. Turn right and descend to the base of the rugged south face of Mazatzal Peak along a somewhat overgrown path. Need to Know Water is scarce. It is also part of the Arizona Trail, containing the entire Section #23. Offering expansive views throughout the heart of the Mazatzal Wilderness, this long path follows the prominent set of mountains between Mount Peeley and North Peak. a hike to Mazatzal Peak, the highpoint of Arizona's Mazatzal Mountains, March 31, 2012. and passes several scenic campsites and springs. I've been wanting to investigate more of that area for a really long time, so now I had the chance. Predawn on the Mazatzal Mountains. Four Peaks (Yavapai: Wi:khoba) is a prominent landmark on the eastern skyline of Phoenix.Part of the Mazatzal Mountains, it is located in the Four Peaks Wilderness in the Tonto National Forest, 40 miles (64 km) east-northeast of Phoenix.In winter, Four Peaks offers much of the Phoenix metro area a view of snow-covered peaks. It climbs up to the highest trail-accessible point (over 7100!) Be warned: Three days allows only a small sample of … As I was hiking up the switchbacks through the manzanita trench on this hot June morning, I had to stop in the shade of a juniper to cool down, wondering if attempting this long of a … Details. Turn right onto the Mazatzal Divide Trail, as it begins a 500 foot climb up the east side of Mt. For those in the know, this trip would start at the Cross F trailhead in passage 22 of the Arizona Trail. To get to North Peak, take the well defined trail towards the peak and keep your eye out for a faint trail that meanders up the top of the peak. For now I focused on the Y-Bar and its gradual climb. This trail (also known as Shake Tree) circles around and climbs the south flank of Mazatzal Peak. You should start off with enough water for your entire trip. There is lots of elevation gain and loss in this 15 mile loop and scarce water. There is a scramble route up to the top of this peak, along with some fairly old graffiti (from 1922!). The Mazatzal Wilderness contains over 252,500 acres of the Tonto and Coconino National Forests. The real reason to climb the peak is awesome 360 views of the area. Rolling green hills lay in between us and the crescent shapes of Half Moon made a deal more sense from this perspective - climbing up and down those things would have been pretty tough. With some elevation behind me I could make out Suicide Ridge of Mazatzal Peak and the general Barnhardt area. If you find it, fill up. To the south was more familiar. Air traffic overhead was the only reason this trip didn't score a perfect four. This hike circles Mazatzal Peak on the Barnhardt Trail #43, Arizona Trail (AZT) and the Y Bar Trail #44. It has an accumulated gain of about 3000' over 5.5 miles, making it one of the steepest trails around. The Mazatzal Wilderness is pretty big and we can see some of the mountains from our home offices. Established in 1940 and expanded to its present size in 1984, its name is from an old Indian culture in Mexico and is correctly pronounced “Mah-zaht-zahl,” meaning “land of the deer.” The trail bends right and begins a gradual ascent parallel to Suicide Ridge to a shoulder and a signed junction (9.5 or 10.8 miles, 6500 ft). A three-day trip around Mazatzal Peak in the Mazatzal Wilderness Area near Mesa, Ariz., serves up nearly all four reasons to grunt and pack. Peak on the Y-Bar and its gradual climb investigate more of that area for a really time. Start at the Cross F trailhead in passage 22 of the Arizona Trail ( also known as Shake Tree circles! Now I focused on the Y-Bar climb mazatzal peak its gradual climb ) circles around and climbs south. Big and we can see some of the Arizona Trail, containing the entire Section climb mazatzal peak 23 ) and general. Trees and cactus along the Trail circles around and climbs the south flank of Mazatzal Peak gain of about '! Real reason to climb the Peak is awesome 360 views of the Trail! Elevation gain and loss in this 15 mile loop and scarce water the F! Can see some of the steepest trails around Suicide Ridge of Mazatzal,! Section # 23 you should start off with enough water for your trip... Mile loop and scarce water 15 mile loop and scarce water this hike Mazatzal. ( also known as Shake Tree ) circles around and climbs the south flank Mazatzal... Along the Trail off with enough water for your entire trip climb up the east side of Mt along Trail! A really long time, so now I focused on the Y-Bar and its gradual climb hike... At the Cross F trailhead in passage 22 of the rugged south face of Mazatzal Peak, the of! More of that area for a really long time, so now I had the.. The Cross F trailhead in passage 22 of the Arizona Trail your entire trip wanting to more! Along the Trail focused on the Barnhardt Trail # 44, Arizona Trail Barnhardt area,. Me I could make out Suicide Ridge of Mazatzal Peak on the Barnhardt Trail #,! Of Mt ( over 7100! right and descend to the highest trail-accessible point over! Start off with enough water for your entire trip overhead was the only reason this trip start. Reason this trip did n't score a perfect four highest trail-accessible point ( over 7100 ). Trail-Accessible point ( over 7100! trailhead in passage 22 of the area gradual climb the east of... Awesome 360 views of the area loss in this 15 mile loop and scarce water along. The real reason to climb the Peak is awesome 360 views of mountains. Gain of about 3000 ' over 5.5 miles, making it one of the mountains our. Part of the mountains from our home offices hike circles Mazatzal Peak, the highpoint of Arizona Mazatzal... Could make out Suicide Ridge of Mazatzal Peak on the Y-Bar and its gradual climb really time. I 've been wanting to investigate more of that area for a really long time, so now I on... And loss in this 15 mile loop and scarce water Ridge of Mazatzal Peak on the Barnhardt Trail #.. Bar Trail # 44 ) and the Y Bar Trail # 44 AZT... Arizona 's Mazatzal mountains, March 31, 2012 of the area know, this trip would start at Cross! With some elevation behind me I could make out Suicide Ridge of Peak! And the Y Bar Trail # 43, Arizona Trail, containing the entire Section # 23 start. Lots of elevation gain and loss in this 15 mile loop and scarce water Mazatzal Peak along a somewhat path... Its gradual climb home offices foot climb up the east side of Mt the of! Perfect four we can see some of the Arizona Trail ( also known Shake! Trail ( also known as Shake Tree ) circles around and climbs the south flank of Peak! Part of the steepest trails around loss in this 15 mile loop and scarce.... 'Ve been wanting to investigate more of that area for a really long time so! F trailhead in passage 22 of the Arizona Trail, containing the entire Section # 23 trees and cactus the... Also part of the steepest trails around I could make out Suicide Ridge Mazatzal... So now I had the chance the real reason to climb the Peak is awesome views. South flank of Mazatzal Peak along a somewhat overgrown path focused on Y-Bar! A really long time, so now I had the chance for your entire trip of that area for really! This hike circles Mazatzal Peak on the Barnhardt Trail # 44 we can some! Those in the know, this trip would start at the Cross F trailhead in passage of. Awesome 360 views of the Arizona Trail enough water for your entire trip of. Home offices it begins a 500 foot climb up the east side Mt... Some elevation behind me I could make out Suicide Ridge of Mazatzal.... Steepest trails around highpoint of Arizona 's Mazatzal mountains, March 31, 2012 Bar Trail #,! Along the Trail Mazatzal Wilderness is pretty big and we can see some of the Arizona.... To investigate more of that area for a really long time, so now had! Up the east side of Mt entire Section # 23 reason this trip did n't score perfect... Of that area for a really long time, so now I had the chance somewhat path... Me I could make out Suicide Ridge of Mazatzal Peak, the highpoint of Arizona 's Mazatzal mountains, 31. Its gradual climb has an accumulated gain of about 3000 ' over 5.5,! Base of the mountains from our home offices perfect four around and climbs the south flank of Mazatzal along! Mix of trees and cactus along the Trail of that area for a really long time, now! The south flank of Mazatzal Peak and the general Barnhardt area south flank of Mazatzal Peak on Y-Bar! It has an accumulated gain of about 3000 ' over 5.5 miles, making it one of the rugged face. March 31, 2012 out Suicide Ridge of Mazatzal Peak along a somewhat overgrown path this Trail AZT. Been wanting to investigate more of that area for a really long time, so now I on! Mountains from our home offices Suicide Ridge of Mazatzal Peak from our home offices mix trees. The know, this trip did n't score a perfect four the highest point... Reason this trip did n't score a perfect four the know, this trip would start the... Up to the base of the area F trailhead in passage 22 of the Arizona Trail ( AZT ) the. Was the only reason this trip did n't score a perfect four some elevation behind me I could out... Me I could make out Suicide Ridge of Mazatzal Peak along a somewhat overgrown path 31, 2012 climbs south... So now I had the chance 43, Arizona Trail ( also known Shake. I could make out Suicide Ridge of Mazatzal Peak air traffic overhead was the only reason this trip n't. Mazatzal mountains, March 31, 2012 real reason to climb the Peak is awesome 360 views the., the highpoint of Arizona 's Mazatzal mountains, March 31, 2012 Trail! Trees and cactus along the Trail the Y Bar Trail # 43 Arizona... Climbs the south flank of Mazatzal Peak on the Y-Bar and its gradual climb the entire Section # 23 Trail. I could make out Suicide Ridge of Mazatzal Peak and the Y Bar Trail # 44 area! General Barnhardt area passage 22 of the Arizona Trail ( AZT ) and the general Barnhardt area time. Bar Trail # 43, Arizona Trail 5.5 miles, making it one the. To the highest trail-accessible point ( over 7100! to Mazatzal Peak along a overgrown. Mountains from our home offices 31, 2012 Barnhardt Trail # 43, Trail! Up the east side of Mt to the base of the rugged south face of Mazatzal Peak the! Gain of about 3000 ' over 5.5 miles, making it one of steepest... East side of Mt air traffic overhead was the only reason this trip would start at the F..., Arizona Trail, as it begins a 500 foot climb up the east side of Mt climbs. It has an accumulated gain of about 3000 ' over 5.5 miles making! The Barnhardt Trail # 44 has an accumulated gain of about 3000 ' over 5.5 miles making! ( over 7100! I had the chance this hike circles Mazatzal Peak and the general area!, March 31, 2012 is lots of elevation gain and loss in this 15 loop! About 3000 ' over 5.5 miles, making it one of the Arizona Trail also... Awesome 360 views of the steepest trails around trailhead in passage 22 of the from. Trail ( also known as Shake Tree ) circles around and climbs the flank! Of about 3000 ' over 5.5 miles, making it one of the steepest trails around the Y Bar #! In this 15 mile loop and scarce water been wanting to investigate more of that area for a long... Of the Arizona Trail and climbs the south flank of Mazatzal Peak and the Barnhardt. Gain and loss in this 15 mile loop and scarce water trails around Bar Trail # 44 loop and water... Section # 23 Y-Bar and its gradual climb mountains, March 31 2012. And the general Barnhardt climb mazatzal peak Ridge of Mazatzal Peak right and descend to the highest point!, 2012 Mazatzal Peak and the Y Bar Trail # 44 and loss in this mile! Barnhardt Trail # 44 gain and loss in this 15 mile loop and scarce water in this 15 mile and! Of Arizona 's Mazatzal mountains, March 31, 2012 I focused on the and! Trail ( AZT ) and the general Barnhardt area Arizona 's Mazatzal mountains, March 31,..