Mazatzal Peak Loop
26.2 mi5,071 ft
6,549 ft
4,183 ft
Fun, challenging loop around Mazatzal Peak, the tallest point in the Mazatzal mountains.
Photos
Predawn on the Mazatzal Mountains
A mix of trees and cactus along the trail
First view of the morning sun
Hot morning sun lighting up Suicide Ridge
An ever-climbing trail
Sheer bluffs plunging down from Cactus Ridge
188 stretching south towards Roosevelt
Pine trees clustered around the distant saddle
Semi-loose traverse over a rock slide
Colorful layers of rock on Mazatzal Peak
Odd stand of Ponderosa Pines
Pleasantly shaded trail
Scraggy growth clinging onto Mazatzal Peak
Recently scorched campsite above the pines
Devastating post-fire views of Y-Bar Basin
Scrappy remains of a burnt Pinyon Pine forest
An unnamed spring flowing across the trail
Striking cliff faces thrusting out from Mazatzal Peak
Mossy pools around Windsom Spring
Old sign near saddle junction with Mazatzal Divide
Large campsite at the Y-Bar/Divide junction
Towering cliffs of crumbly rock up on Mazatzal Peak
An easy trail to follow downhill
A long looping path to the saddle
A long view west to Table Mountain and Horseshoe Basin beyond
Trail getting a bit overgrown
A tight, prickly squeeze
A longing look back towards Y-Bar junction
An always impressive view of Mazatzal Peak's cliffs
Some barren hills around Barnhardt junction
The unnamed hill west of Chilson
Some flowers along the trail
The only sign near Barnhardt Trail junction
An easy, pleasant path beyond Barnhardt
Deep, sandy pools near Bear Spring
Tiny spur on top of Club Cabin
Grassy, rocky trail down
Chilson camp, with table and water cache
An excellent view back at Mazatzal Peak
A thick wall of brush blocking the way to Davenport
A broken water trough at Chilson Camp
Old pipes leading up to Chilson Spring
Silty basin at Chilton Spring
A hot Mazatzal Divide trail
A rugged cliff wall near Deadman Creek
Weirdly twisted agave
Growth creeping in on the trail
Dry falls up on a fork of Deadman Creek
Steep canyon walls around the creek
Nice little campsite at Horse Camp Seep
Shallow pools of water at the seep
Small stand around the trail
Looking down on the pines around Horse Camp Seep
Terrifying thicket on Rock Creek Trail
Small pool at Hopi Spring
Sheltered pine forest and ridge blocking the Park
A hot sun over Horse Camp Seep
Sun finally dropping down below the ridge
Trying out the new bug net
Dim silhouette of Sandy Saddle in the morning
Campsite near the Barnhardt Trail junction
A pair of timid deer in the shadows
Looking down the drop of Barnhardt
More scrubby growth intruding on the trail
Sculpted trunk of some old manzanitas
Sharp drop down into Barnhardt Canyon
Wide open view to the east
The parking lot in view, impossibly close
Crack of a narrow creek
A deep blue pool for easy filtering
A group of sharp switchbacks
Trickling water flowing down red rocks
Green trees in the creek below
Trail cutting a sharp line in the rock wall
Zig-zag rock layers on the wall
The weird field of grey next to the parking lot
Sharp-looking trail sign for the main junction
Bright sun lighting up the Mazatzals
Along the way
Spring 5
- Chilson
- Chilson Tanks
- Hopi
- Windsor Tanks
- Y-Bar
Creek 3
- Barnhardt Tributary 2
- Barnhardt Tributary 3
- North Deadman
Mountain 1
- Mazatzal Peak
Saddle 1
- Windsor Saddle
Camping 2
- Chilson Camp
- Horse Camp Seep
Trailhead 1
- Barnhardt Trailhead
Junction 3
- Y Bar / Barnhardt Trail Junction
- Barnhardt / Mazatzal Divide Trail Junction
- Barnhardt / Sandy Saddle Trail Junction