Four Peaks


Four Peaks 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, east-northeast of Phoenix. In winter, Four Peaks offers much of the Phoenix metro area a view of snow-covered peaks. Four Peaks is the site of an amethyst mine that produces top-grade amethyst.
The name Four Peaks is a reference to the four distinct peaks of a north–south ridge forming the massif's summit. The northernmost peak is named Brown's Peak and is the tallest of the four at. It is the highest point in Maricopa County. The remaining summits are unnamed, and from north to south are, and in elevation.

Four Peaks Wilderness

The Four Peaks Wilderness, established in the year 1984, covers 60,740 acres of land. It is home to a diverse variety of plants and animals due to the quick change of elevation in the range. Brown's Trail, found in the Four Peaks Wilderness, is used to reach the tallest peak and is home to black bears, ring-tailed cats, skunks, and coyotes. The Four Peaks Wilderness contains a section of the Arizona Trail, which is considered one of the most difficult passages, as it is rarely ever kept. On April 27th, 1996, a party of two campers left a campfire unattended near Lone Pine Saddle. This caused the Lone Fire which burned over 61,000 acres and lasted 11 days. The Lone fire was Arizona's largest recorded wildfire prior to the Rodeo–Chediski Fire in 2002.