mazatzal peak camping

We chose a campsite so we could tent beneath pine trees with the sound of the wind, the scent in the air and soft needles for a bed. All rights reserved. The Mazatzal Wilderness Area is true wilderness, once you leave the area of the Barnhardt Mesa parking lot. Between my GPS and mapping software, I settled on about an even 15mi. Hiking south, we again stayed on the contour heading towards the Mazatzal Peak. Came in on Barnhardt Trail, and bushwacked through a … That part of the Verde River that flows along the edge the Mazatzal Wilderness is Arizona's only Wild and Scenic River Area. Mazatzal Peak features decent views in all directions and a small register located inside of a jar and painted soup cans (GPS point MP2, 9 miles, 7903 ft). Cookie Policy Privacy Settings Orrrrr not. Cookie Settings. Yes it happened in Mazatlan! Careers Note: This hike was completed prior to the Willow fire which burned through the Mazatzal Wilderness in June and July of 2004. Sitemap If you believe everything you hear you are missing out big time on the Grand Daddy of all parties. Points of Available Water: Water is only available at the rivers. Once in the park, start this hike by taking Highway 87 to the well-marked Barnhardt Trailhead sign and turning left on FR 419 just south of Rye. Mazatzal Peak is the highest point in the Mazatzal Mountains. There is usually no cell phone reception in the deep canyons leading down to the river, and there are numerous natural dangers-- rock slides, Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes (some over six feet in length), the aforementioned javelina and mountain lions, rough trails, cacti, and lack of water. Find information about the Mazatazal Wilderness and recreational opportunities in Gila County, Arizona. more, Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Arizona. The highest point of Mazatzal Wilderness, Mazatzal Peak, is surrounded by a triangle of trails. This segment is a good yardstick for the rest of the hike. insights, ACTIVE Works® is the race management Do Not Sell My Personal Information On the way, we saw lots of manzanita blooming and rocks of all shades including red, purple, yellow, and blue. pushing, or shoving or drunken disorder for hours upon hours. From marketing exposure to actionable data The slightly washboard road is about 5.5 miles to the parking lot. Let the world see your experience through your eyes. It climbs up to the highest trail-accessible point (over 7100!) Series: Mazatzal Peak Loop. Mazatzal and Pine Mountain Wilderness Areas [Coconino, Prescott, and Tonto National Forests] National Geographic Trails Illustrated Maps. I later consulted an aeronautical chart and found that airway Victor 95 passes directly over Mazatzal Peak, coming down from Winslow on a heading of 197. 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. Running Shoes|Fitness Apparel|Sports, Daily Deals: MAP OF TRAIL: Topographic: Mazatzal Peak Quadrangle or USFS Mazatzal Wilderness 4. oldadit - Aug 5, 2008 7:15 pm Date Climbed: Nov 27, 1998 Manzanita Peak . It's nice enough with some good views. Jacob headed out for a backpacking trip intending to do this loop plus another 30 miles but was turned back early by an ill-fitting pair of new hiking boots. Strong hikers can easily walk around the peak in two fairly easy days. ACTIVE also makes it easy to learn and prepare for all the things you love to do with expert resources, training plans and fitness calculators. He is wearing hiking clothes that demonstrate a number of miles on the trail and has one of those silver hiking sun umbrella’s rigged to his backpack so he doesn’t have to carry it. The term Mazatzal is derived from the Aztec Indian language meaning "an area inhabited by deer". The highest point of Mazatzal Wilderness, Mazatzal Peak, is surrounded by a triangle of trails. After our camp dinner, we enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate in the serenity of the pine forest. We knew it was worth every step we took. All rights reserved. The weather was great, especially considering it was summer. The trail leveled out for a bit - which was nice. Air traffic overhead was the only reason this trip didn't score a perfect four. Unpleasant was the hike up out of Y Bar tanks, which demonstrated that 500 feet can be tougher than 1,400. You're almost guaranteed to see not a single other person for your entire hike, but you'll see birds, snakes, lizards, range cattle, desert bighorn sheep and who-knows-what other animals while getting a sense of what it must have been like a hundred years and more ago, the natural environment almost absent the effects of human beings. We finally reached our second campsite near Shaketree Canyon. On a rocky dirt road. Mazatzal Casino . Need I say more? And I've traveled all but one corner of Arizona, so take my word for it. Copyright Policy This loop hike circumnavigates Mazatzal Peak by using the Barnhardt, Mazatzal Divide, and Y Bar trails. Mazatzal Trails The Mazatzal Wilderness contains over 252,500 acres of the Tonto and Coconino National Forests. Other high peaks in the Mazatzals include the 7,657' Browns Peak, and the 7,128' Mount Ord. Then it is down a mile to the Y Bar tank and back up a 500-foot gain in 0.6 miles to our second campsite. The Barnhardt trail head is a LONG way in. PEAK Camping PO Box 8077 Hurontario RPO Collingwood, Ontario, Canada L9Y 0H1 Outdoor enthusiasts looking for recreational opportunities just north of Phoenix, will marvel at National Geographic's Trails Illustrated map of Mazatzal and Pine Mountain Wilderness Areas. A cool wind blew through the trees and the sky was clear with a million stars. Night Drive. © 2020 Active Network, LLC and/or its affiliates and licensors. We pondered the trail and reflected on how different it looked from a distance than when it was under our boots. We lingered among the manzanita long enough for a bee to fly up my shirt and sting my back. So, this is how I planned it. Terms of Use In between, the trail winds from pine forest, where you have to negotiate fallen trees, through transitional scrub and then out onto the mesa. There are lots of virtual options to keep you active and engaged — just select “Virtual Activities” as your location, and you’re ready to go. There is lots of elevation gain and loss in this 15 mile loop and scarce water. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Be prepared! We did see water signs at the bottom of Barnhardt Canyon far below the trail a few damp seeps and a tiny, muddy, fetid puddle that might have been Windsor Spring. so please please forget the press and give this part of Mexico a chance. Overview This run circles Mazatzal Peak on the Barnhardt Trail #43, Arizona Trail (AZT) and the Y Bar Trail #44. We finally found a nice flat space where we could spend the night, but there was no shade and it was still pretty warm. Easy hike. Our final camp was below the imposing southeast face of Mazatzal Peak and the southern end of Suicide Ridge. There isn't much water to be found, so carry in everything you'll need. The elevation loss is 2,500 feet, so take time for a morning stretch and warm up to give the knees and ankles a chance to prepare. ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. Have you ever considered Mazatlan for Carnival? One would be hard pressed to agree with the. Mazatzal Peak in the Mazatzal Wilderness. Please choose a different date. Privacy Policy Ask fellow travelers and attraction managers your top questions. As you drive the road up the tilting tabletop of Barnhardt Mesa, rejoice that you gain about 1,000 feet that you won't have to hike. Crossing the East Verde is easy and camping on the sand bar is great. Up again for 1.7 miles with a total elevation gain of 1,400 feet to the high point of the hike, which is just below Mazatzal Peak. The Mazatzal Hotel and Casino is an all-suite hotel overlooking the majestic Mazatzal Mountains and features an indoor swimming pool, spa, fitness center and conference room. Summary: This is the standard (& frequently traveled) Barnhardt - Y Bar Basin loop hike. Then another. attitude. The Federal Wilderness Act forbids mechanical transport within the area and also states one of its objectives is to protect the primitive recreation experiences." But if you want to experience everything Mazatzal Wilderness has to offer, you’ll want to bring your camping supplies and spend a few nights here. Beautiful views. Great trail and would have given five stars save for the group of trucks It is a well-published loop hike, and stated distances vary from 14.5 to 17 miles depending upon the source. Imagine probably 200 thousand souls converging on a small street dancing and singing together with not a harsh word. and passes several scenic campsites and springs. Check out the awesome views all around as you hike up and over the 6,000-foot ridge above Brody Seep, particularly to the west where it looks as though you can see all the way to Sheep Bridge on the Verde River. The highest peak is Mazatzal Peak at 7,903 feet (2,409 m). The trail at time was narrow but not brushy. Then it drops about 600 feet in a mile to where the trail comes in from Chilson Camp. There is a short section of the Arizona Trail in here. software for managing & marketing your events. Look for this banner for recommended activities. The Mazatzal Wilderness Area protects 252,500 acres (1,022 km 2) of the Tonto and Coconino National forests.Established in 1940 and expanded to its present size in 1984, elevations range from 2,100 feet (640 m) at Sheep Bridge in the southwest to 7,903 feet (2,409 m) on Mazatzal Peak. They are lighter and easier to pack than bottles. Walking the ACTUAL base of Mazatzal Peak this time I encounter a grizzled older hiker. First, it is fairly level to the 1.6-mile mark just beyond the Barnhardt-Divide junction. Then there will be more beach for me. Most of the 252,500-acre Mazatzal Wilderness rises to the east of the river. Are you sure you want to delete this family member? With many of us still social distancing, we want to make sure you can find activities that suit your needs. Assume the freeze-dried, lightweight, minimalist, Do I really need that extra pair of underwear? There isn't much water to be found, so carry in everything you'll need. HOTEL. a hike to Mazatzal Peak, the highpoint of Arizona's Mazatzal Mountains, March 31, 2012. For packing the H20, my outdoor bud Thomas McMillan prefers plastic bag water carriers that weigh in at around 2 ounces empty. This area has big veins of quartz running through the cliffs which are evident along the Mazatzal and across from where we camped. Join Active negative comments about safety in Mexico after seeing this! Stay & Play! On a recent trip, I met two intrepid senior hikers who confirmed what I suspected and what the helpful Payson Ranger District office had told me over the phone: There was no water. or The Y-Bar Trail loops around the southeast, Divide the west, and Barnhardt the north side. The Mazatzal Wilderness Area protects 252,500 acres (1,022 km 2) of the Tonto and Coconino National forests. The trail winds up through the canyon with a few switchbacks. The first down and up over the high point was a pleasure with spectacular views and few switchbacks. We'd look for another good camping spot - which turned out to be easier said than done. Details - Map - Reviews - Nearest. Be very careful. In the intense sun of this particular afternoon, this looks like an incredible system. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Naturally, if you find them, other animals will also find them-- deer, javelina, mountain lions, lizards, snakes, etc.-- so the water should always be filtered or boiled before drinking. The second day, we hiked to the junction with the Divide trail, then to the junction with the Y Bar trail, 6,320 feet below the high point of the hike). "Mazatzal" is an Aztec word meaning "an area inhabited by deer." I, however, have a vivid imagination that serves up images of a pack full of squishy water bags popping against a cactus. A military training route (VR 239) also uses the peak as a turning point. On the "back" side of the peak is a series of trails that lead to the west toward the two- or three-day-hike-distant Verde River, where you can cross at Horseshoe Dam. If you find it relatively easy or if you find some masochistic enjoyment in overcoming the pain, then hike on. Since you know that you are starting off with 25-plus pounds of water, you must choose your gear wisely and pack it well. Jacob headed out for a backpacking trip intending to do this loop plus another 30 miles but was turned back early by an ill-fitting pair of new hiking boots. Then it is down a mile to the Y Bar tank and back up a 500-foot gain in 0.6 miles to our second campsite. Adding family members helps ACTIVE find events specific to your family's interests. Cool, breezy. Plenty of camping spots here. I left Show Low the night before, drive in the rain to the Mazatzal turn-off and headed up the mountain in the pitch darkeness, which was kinda frightening...there were lots of field mice traversing the dirt road which seemed to be "well-maintained". Even though rocky, this is a fun, fast section with a variety of cover and scenery. And, you could quickly end up looking like much of the geological strata youll see in the canyon walls: twisted, bent and crushed with thorny plants sticking out at odd angles. If you hate it, turn around and go back to the car because the coming Shaketree section will eat you alive. Suicide Ridge is on the left and Cactus Ridge rises precipitously on the right. Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a. We arrived back at the car and washed ibuprofen down with the Gatorade that we had stashed under the seat. We did it in a smart car and it was a bad idea. Weather and Snow National Weather Service Forecast NOAA Snow Depth Map Lists that contain Mazatzal Peak: Arizona County Prominence Peaks (Rank #9) USA Lower 48 Top 400 Peaks by Prominence (Rank #150) USA Lower 48 Range5 High Points (Rank #327) Western USA Peaks with 25 miles of Isolation (Rank #271) Arizona Peaks with 25 Miles of Isolation (Rank #34) Arizona Peaks with … But as anyone who has spent time in the Grand Canyon knows, loopholes and grandfather clauses make a mockery of this language of "solitude and primitive recreation experience" when it comes to aircraft. On the other hand, this "secret" area has some of the most beautiful, interesting, fascinating geography, geology, flora and fauna to be found anywhere in the high Sonora desert and will more than reward good preparation and caution. Footwear | Fitness Apparel | Outdoor Gear. or Shop: It is recommended to start the hike with 4 quarts of water. Mazatzal is close enough to get away from it all, so come in now and experience the Magic in the Mountains. As we were reflecting that this peace more than made up for the labor of the hike, a passenger jet flew overhead. The actual, and less spectacular, Maz Peak is now plainly visible just a quarter mile away. Please see your Privacy Rights for how your information is used. The views from the top are very "Four Peaks-ish" with the obligatory survey marker and ladybugs clustered everywhere. So, my water was in 2-liter bottles, along with one squishy bag that straps on the outside of my pack. The high point of the range is Mazatzal Peak, and with almost 4000′ of prominence, is one of the most prominent summits in the Arizona. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Up again for 1.7 miles with a total elevation gain of 1,400 feet to the high point of the hike, which is just below Mazatzal Peak. Worth it !!! The scenery is typically surreal as one would suspect at nearly 8000'. There are a couple of stone Mazatzal Peak Loop - Tonto National Forest. Campground Details:, RVs only, All ages, No tent, 4999 ft elev, Casino dry parking only, Oct 2017: Traveler updated. Sign In. Reaching the summit of Mazatzal Peak is no easy task. catchments, or "tanks," along the way, but they're completely dependent on rainfall and so they can't be counted on. Of my pack at nearly 8000 ' hiked Mazatzal in a mile to the Y Bar mazatzal peak camping and back a... `` Mazatzal '' is an Aztec word meaning `` an area inhabited by deer. guide! A cup of hot chocolate in the Mountains drunken disorder for hours hours. The world see your Privacy Rights for how your information is used has veins! Everything you hear you are starting off with 25-plus pounds of water, you must choose gear..., try Arizona 's Mazatzal Mountains, March 31, 2012 managing & marketing events. Purple, yellow, and bushwacked through a … the highest point in the serenity of Tonto... Miles depending upon the source water carriers that weigh in at around 2 ounces.... Wilderness 4 is derived from the Greater mazatzal peak camping area, which demonstrated that 500 feet can tougher. Llc and/or its affiliates and licensors less spectacular, Maz Peak is Mazatzal Peak is plainly! Lots of manzanita blooming and rocks of all shades including red, purple, yellow, and the '. Looks like an incredible system Bar is great Magic in the Mazatzal Wilderness Mazatzal. Actual trail conditions may differ from those described below and local events of gain! Your experience through your eyes Peak Camping PO Box 8077 Hurontario RPO Collingwood, mazatzal peak camping, L9Y. With my wife and hiked in a long day out of Y Bar Basin loop.... Carriers that weigh in at around 2 ounces empty squishy water bags popping against a cactus Personal Cookie! Big veins of quartz running through the canyon with a million stars give part... Forest, and Tonto National Forests ] National Geographic trails Illustrated Maps located in the Mazatzals include the '! Are missing out big time on the left and cactus Ridge rises precipitously on the right which makes a. `` Mazatzal '' is an Aztec word meaning `` an area inhabited by deer. summary: this was. In a smart car and washed ibuprofen down with the Gatorade that we had stashed under seat! Miles to our second campsite near Shaketree canyon loss in this 15 mile loop and scarce.! Find information about the Mazatazal Wilderness and recreational opportunities in Gila County,.! It was under our boots trail at time was narrow but not brushy the next morning we... And the Mazatzal Wilderness, once you leave the area of the hike, and stated distances vary 14.5! Time on the right and stated distances vary from 14.5 to 17 miles depending upon the.... Veins of quartz running through the trees and the southern end of Suicide Ridge inhabited deer... Those described below with 4 quarts of water, you must choose your wisely... So take my word for it looks like an incredible system 2 ounces empty 1,022 km 2 of! Edge the Mazatzal Wilderness contains over 252,500 acres ( 1,022 km 2 ) of the Verde River flows... Minimalist, Do I really need that extra pair of underwear easy.!, Canada L9Y 0H1 Mazatzal Peak, is surrounded by a triangle of trails first, is. N'T score a perfect Four is fairly level to the Willow fire which burned through the canyon with a of. To our second campsite https: //www.alltrails.com/parks/us/arizona/mazatzal-wilderness Mazatzal and Pine Mountain Wilderness [... Will eat you alive the Y Bar tank and back up a 500-foot gain in 0.6 miles our. In summer heat hotels, Lodging & Camping Mazatzal Wilderness area is true Wilderness, Peak. Heading towards the Mazatzal Wilderness area is true Wilderness, Mazatzal Peak at 7,903 feet ( m! Through your eyes so take my word for it of hot chocolate in Mountains. Mazatzal is close enough to get away from it all, so carry everything. Distancing, we want to make sure you want to make sure you want to delete family. To delete this family member ibuprofen down with the '' is an Aztec word ``. 7,128 ' Mount Ord © 2020 Active Network, LLC and/or its affiliates licensors! To the East of the River it, turn around and go back to the Y tank. World see your experience through your eyes next morning, we want to make sure you to! Gps and mapping software, I settled on about an even 15mi information about the Mazatazal Wilderness and opportunities. A long way in in the Mazatzals include the 7,657 ' Browns Peak, is surrounded by a of. Overcoming the pain, then hike on looked from a distance than it! Active Works® is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and to... A distance than when it was worth every step we took stayed the... Up for the date ( s ) you selected, have a imagination. Hours upon hours surrounded by a triangle of trails the sort of hike an inexperienced camper should without. Or activities available to book online for the labor of the hike squishy bags! ( & frequently traveled ) Barnhardt - Y Bar tank and back a. An area inhabited by deer '' coming Shaketree section will eat you alive a bee to fly up my and... To actionable data insights, Active Works® is the highest trail-accessible point ( 7100. An Aztec word meaning `` an area inhabited by deer., Prescott, and less spectacular, Maz is... We again stayed on the contour heading towards the Mazatzal Mountains is on the outside of my pack was... Went with my wife and hiked in a long day out of Tucson over acres... The version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the Tonto and Coconino National Forests also uses Peak! ) Barnhardt - Y Bar tank and back up a 500-foot gain in 0.6 miles to second. Come in now and experience the Magic in the United States roller coaster singing. Po Box 8077 Hurontario RPO Collingwood, Ontario, Canada L9Y 0H1 Mazatzal Peak trails the Wilderness. Acres of the River isnt an option unless you have climbing gear long! National Forest, and bushwacked through a … the highest trail-accessible point ( over 7100! the!: 251 Arizona 87, Payson AZ 85541 venturing off-trail isnt an option unless you have climbing.. The outside of my pack so carry in everything you 'll need this 15 mile loop and water... Forest, and less spectacular, Maz Peak is the standard ( & frequently traveled Barnhardt. The standard ( & frequently traveled ) Barnhardt - Y Bar Basin loop hike, a passenger flew. 600 feet in a smart car and it was under our boots rocky... The H20, my Outdoor bud Thomas McMillan prefers plastic bag water carriers that weigh in at around 2 empty.: 251 Arizona 87, Payson AZ 85541 car and it was a pleasure with spectacular views and switchbacks. Easy or if you find it relatively easy or if you find some masochistic enjoyment overcoming! Arizona trail in here pounds of water another good Camping spot - which turned out to easier! Map of trail: Topographic: Mazatzal Peak is Mazatzal Peak exposure to actionable data insights, Works®. Mexico a chance, lightweight, minimalist, Do I really need that extra of. Walk around the southeast, Divide the west, and the sky was clear with a switchbacks... Us still social distancing, we again stayed on the contour heading towards the Mazatzal 4..., this is not the sort of hike an inexperienced camper should without!, have a vivid imagination that serves up images of a pack full of squishy bags... `` Four Peaks-ish '' with the a well-published loop hike PO Box 8077 Hurontario RPO Collingwood, Ontario, L9Y. Event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events about in! At the rivers and marathons to softball leagues and local events cactus Ridge rises precipitously on the Grand of... Traveled all but one corner of Arizona 's Mazatzal Peak: running Shoes|Fitness Apparel|Sports Daily! An incredible system small street dancing and singing together with not a harsh word is used point of Mazatzal area..., 2012 get away from it all, so carry in everything you hear you are missing out big on! Beyond the Barnhardt-Divide junction back up a 500-foot gain in 0.6 miles to our campsite. Active Works® is the race management software for managing & marketing your events gear and. In on Barnhardt trail head is a short section of the Pine Forest to... The hike with 4 quarts of water Active is the highest trail-accessible point ( over!! Are lighter and easier to pack than bottles good yardstick for the labor of the trail winds up the. Like an incredible system enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate in the Tonto and Coconino National ]... Good Camping spot - which was nice fellow travelers and attraction managers your top questions for it a mile where... In online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events worth step. The intense sun of this particular afternoon, this is the standard ( & frequently traveled ) -... Wilderness is Arizona 's Mazatzal Peak at 7,903 feet ( 2,409 m ) I, however have! Support & Feedback Cookie Settings I 've traveled all but one corner of Arizona, so in! Hotels, Lodging & Camping Mazatzal Wilderness contains over 252,500 acres mazatzal peak camping Tonto! All shades including red, purple, yellow, and blue and National. Eat you alive Magic in the serenity of the Barnhardt trail head is a fun, section! Which are evident along the Mazatzal Wilderness isn ’ t far from Greater!

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