The Mazatzal Mountains are some of the most impressive and primal mountains in Arizona. They contain two different wilderness areas, the Four Peaks Wilderness and the Mazatzal Wilderness. They dominate the landscape for dozens of miles around and are a popular hiking destination to escape the nearby desert heat, yet still receive very little traffic. They're also known for being one of the more rugged sections along the Arizona Trail. The trail passes along the east side of the Four Peaks, climbing just short of the base of the peaks. It then heads north under Highway 87 and toward Saddle Mountain before climbing much higher into the deeper Mazatzals. The mountains are home to many extraordinary hiking trails, including the Barnhardt Trail, among many others.