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Central Mountains

All of Arizona south and west of the Mogollon Rim is part of the basin and range geologic province, in which small, separate north-south trending mountain ranges rise above intervening valleys. A rugged complex of mountains and deep valleys characterize the central mountains, the area immediately south of the Mogollon Rim. This vast area, mostly contained in the Tonto National Forest, contains a variety of terrain from desert canyons to forested plateaus and mountains.

Mazatzal Mountains

The Mazatzal Mountains, one of the largest and highest ranges in the central mountains, reaches 7903 feet at Mazatzal Peak. The Verde River, Arizona’s only Wild and Scenic River and home to desert bald eagles, flows along the west side of the Mazatzal Wilderness Area. The crest of the Mazatzal Mountains is formed by a giant, tilted fault block of metamorphic rocks. This geology creates steep escarpments on the east, where water from the canyons drain into Tonto Creek. The west slopes are gentler, but are cut by deep, rugged canyons which empty into the Verde River at elevations around 2000 feet. The area is protected within the Mazatzal Wilderness, part of the Tonto National Forest. A network of trails covers the wilderness and provides the backpacker with a plethora of excellent wilderness trips from forested crest to desert plains.