Mount Catherine
Mount Catherine is a rugged, relatively little-known summit in central Arizona’s Mazatzal Mountains, rising to approximately 7,361 feet (2,244 meters) within the vast Mazatzal Wilderness. Located southwest of Payson in Tonto National Forest, the mountain stands between Mount Peeley and the higher ridges leading toward Mazatzal Peak.
On older topographic maps, the mountain is generally identified simply as Peak 7358, and Mount Catherine remains more familiar to Arizona peakbaggers than to casual hikers. That relative obscurity is part of its appeal. Reaching the summit requires a long wilderness hike followed by an off-trail climb, but most of the approach follows the well-maintained Mazatzal Divide Trail, which is also part of the Arizona National Scenic Trail.
The reward is a broad summit with excellent views across one of the wildest mountain landscapes in central Arizona.
⚡ Fast Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mountain | Mount Catherine |
| Alternate Name | Peak 7358 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Gila County |
| Mountain Range | Mazatzal Mountains |
| Elevation | 7,361 ft / 2,244 m |
| Older Map Elevation | 7,358 ft / 2,243 m |
| Prominence | 772 ft / 235 m |
| Isolation | About 1.9 mi / 3.06 km |
| Nearest Higher Neighbor (NHN) | Unnamed Peak |
| Key Col Elevation | 6,589 ft / 2,008 m |
| Coordinates | 34.02365° N, 111.49519° W |
| USGS Topographic Map | Mazatzal Peak |
| Land Management | Tonto National Forest |
| Protected Area | Mazatzal Wilderness |
| Primary Approach | Cornucopia Trail #86 and Mazatzal Divide Trail #23 |
| Typical Trailhead | Mount Peeley Trailhead |
| Typical Round Trip | About 14 miles |
| Technical Difficulty | Mostly trail hiking with an off-trail summit finish |
📍 Where Is Mount Catherine?
Mount Catherine lies deep within the Mazatzal Wilderness southwest of Payson and northwest of State Route 87.
The mountain rises roughly 1.5 miles north-northwest of Mount Peeley and about three miles southwest of Mazatzal Peak, the highest mountain in the range.
Although Mount Catherine is relatively close to the Phoenix metropolitan area in straight-line distance, the wilderness terrain makes it feel much more remote.
Deep canyons, brush-covered ridges, ponderosa pine forests, and long stretches without roads separate the mountain from developed areas.
The primary hiking approach begins from the Mount Peeley Trailhead, reached by forest roads branching west from State Route 87.
⛰️ Nearest Higher Neighbor
Mount Catherine’s Nearest Higher Neighbor is Peakbagger’s Peak 7564, an unnamed summit on the higher ridge northeast of the mountain.
Peakbagger’s current LiDAR-based data places Peak 7564 at approximately 7,564 feet.
This is worth noting because older descriptions of Mount Catherine sometimes list Mazatzal Peak as the NHN.
Modern topographic data reveals that higher unnamed terrain is encountered first.
Mount Catherine’s isolation is approximately 1.9 miles, while its key col sits at roughly 6,589 feet.
With a summit of about 7,361 feet, the mountain has approximately 772 feet of topographic prominence.
📏 Elevation and Updated LiDAR Data
Older maps identify the summit as Peak 7358, producing the traditional elevation of 7,358 feet.
Modern LiDAR measurements place the highest point slightly higher at approximately 7,360.7 feet, conventionally rounded to 7,361 feet.
Small changes like this are common as high-resolution elevation data replaces measurements derived from older contour maps.
The difference of only a few feet does not change the character of the mountain, but the newer data provides a more precise picture of its topography.
🏞️ Mazatzal Wilderness
Mount Catherine lies within the enormous Mazatzal Wilderness, one of Arizona’s largest designated wilderness areas.
The protected landscape encompasses approximately 248,000 acres across Tonto and Coconino national forests.
Elevations range from around 2,060 feet along the Verde River to approximately 7,905 feet on Mazatzal Peak.
That enormous vertical range produces an equally impressive range of ecosystems.
Lower elevations contain Sonoran Desert vegetation, while higher ridges support chaparral, pinyon-juniper woodland, oak, and ponderosa pine.
Mount Catherine occupies the cooler upper portion of that transition.
🌲 A High-Elevation Mazatzal Summit
Mount Catherine looks and feels very different from the lower desert portions of the Mazatzal Mountains.
The upper mountain supports substantial areas of pine and woodland, particularly on cooler slopes.
Ponderosa pine becomes prominent along portions of the Mazatzal Divide Trail near the mountain, while alligator juniper, scrub oak, manzanita, and other shrubs occupy surrounding ridges.
Fire has also strongly influenced the modern vegetation.
Sections of the approach pass through areas containing standing burned trees and thick regenerating brush.
That mixture of recovering forest and open terrain creates extensive views that would otherwise be hidden by mature trees.
🪨 Ancient Mazatzal Geology
Mount Catherine belongs to one of the geologically oldest mountain regions in Arizona.
The Mazatzal Mountains expose extensive Proterozoic rocks formed more than a billion years ago.
The range lends its name to the Mazatzal orogeny, a major period of tectonic deformation and mountain building that affected the southwestern United States during the Proterozoic Eon.
The modern Mazatzal Mountains are not remnants of peaks that simply stood unchanged for more than a billion years.
Instead, the ancient rocks were buried, deformed, uplifted, faulted, and repeatedly eroded during an immense span of geological time.
Today’s rugged ridges expose pieces of that extremely complicated history.
Nearby Mazatzal Peak provides one of the best-known examples of these resistant ancient rocks.
🌿 Manzanita and Mountain Chaparral
Anyone hiking through the Mazatzals quickly becomes familiar with manzanita.
This woody shrub can form dense thickets across disturbed slopes and exposed ridges.
Around Mount Catherine, brush is one of the main variables affecting the final off-trail climb.
A route that appears easy on a topographic map may be substantially slower if it crosses dense vegetation.
Fortunately, the commonly used northern summit approach generally offers more open forest and manageable brush than some steeper lines on the southeastern side.
Conditions can still change from year to year as vegetation grows, wildfire alters the landscape, and hikers establish new use paths.
🔥 Wildfire and Forest Recovery
Wildfire has transformed significant portions of the northern Mazatzal Mountains.
The Sunflower Fire of 2012 burned extensively in this region, including portions of the trail system around Mount Peeley and Mount Catherine.
Evidence of wildfire remains visible along parts of the hiking route.
Standing snags, downed trees, young pines, open hillsides, and vigorous manzanita growth all reveal different stages of ecological recovery.
Fire can temporarily make some slopes easier to cross by removing dense vegetation, but regrowth often produces even thicker brush several years later.
Downed and weakened trees can also create hazards long after the flames are gone.
🦌 Wildlife
The Mazatzal Wilderness provides habitat for a wide range of central Arizona wildlife.
Mule deer and white-tailed deer inhabit the mountain country, helping explain the traditional interpretation of Mazatzal as “land of the deer.”
Black bears occupy the forested portions of the range.
Mountain lions are present but rarely seen.
Other animals can include coyotes, bobcats, gray foxes, javelina, rabbits, squirrels, snakes, and numerous birds.
The wilderness’s size and rugged terrain make it especially valuable as connected wildlife habitat between the Sonoran Desert and higher country farther north.
🥾 Hiking Mount Catherine
The standard Mount Catherine hike begins from Mount Peeley Trailhead.
Most of the route follows maintained trail, but the final summit climb is off-trail.
A typical outing involves approximately:
| Hiking Statistic | Approximate Value |
|---|---|
| Round-Trip Distance | About 14 miles |
| Trailhead Elevation | About 5,560 ft |
| Net Elevation Gain | About 1,800 ft |
| Accumulated Climbing | Roughly 2,700–3,200+ ft |
| Typical Time | About 5–7 hours |
| Route Type | Out and back |
| Technical Difficulty | Mostly Class 1 |
| Navigation | Moderate |
Distances vary depending on the exact summit route and whether Mount Peeley is added to the hike.
The overall mileage makes Mount Catherine a substantial day even though most of the approach follows good trail.
🥾 Cornucopia Trail #86
From the Mount Peeley Trailhead, hikers begin on Cornucopia Trail #86.
The route climbs approximately half a mile before reaching a signed junction with the Mazatzal Divide Trail.
From there, hikers turn north onto Trail #23.
The opening portion crosses slopes affected by wildfire and quickly begins gaining elevation toward the main Mazatzal ridge.
Although Cornucopia Trail continues elsewhere into the wilderness, Mount Catherine hikers use only its northernmost section.
🥾 Mazatzal Divide Trail #23
Most of the journey to Mount Catherine follows the Mazatzal Divide Trail #23.
This is one of the great wilderness trails of central Arizona and forms part of the Arizona National Scenic Trail.
The route climbs around the eastern slopes of Mount Peeley and eventually reaches higher forested terrain.
Mount Peeley itself can be added as a relatively short side trip.
Continuing north, the trail passes through ponderosa pine forest and increasingly remote terrain before approaching Mount Catherine.
The trail eventually curves around the eastern and northeastern sides of the mountain.
From here, hikers must decide where to leave the maintained route for the summit.
🏕️ Part of the Arizona Trail
The Mazatzal Divide Trail forms Passage 23 of the Arizona Trail.
This passage traverses the high spine of the Mazatzal Mountains through one of the longest continuous wilderness sections on the entire route from Mexico to Utah.
The Arizona Trail Association describes the area as a landscape of steep slopes, deep canyons, old-growth ponderosa pine, alligator juniper, scrub oak, and thick manzanita.
Mount Catherine sits directly beside this long-distance trail corridor.
For Arizona Trail thru-hikers, the mountain is one of many high summits rising above the route.
For peakbaggers, the trail provides an unusually convenient approach deep into otherwise difficult wilderness terrain.
🧭 The Final Off-Trail Climb
There is no maintained trail to Mount Catherine’s summit.
The easiest commonly used route continues around the mountain on the Mazatzal Divide Trail and approaches from the north.
Hikers leave the trail roughly half a mile from the summit and climb through a mixture of open forest and brush.
The northern slope is relatively moderate.
Approximately 400 feet of climbing remains after leaving the maintained trail.
Route choice depends largely on vegetation.
Following openings between manzanita patches can make the ascent significantly easier than trying to hold a perfectly straight line.
Light scrambling may be encountered depending on the exact route, but there are no major technical climbing obstacles on the standard approach.
🧗 A Shorter but Steeper Alternative
Another option is to leave the Mazatzal Divide Trail on the southeastern side of Mount Catherine.
This provides a more direct ascent.
The tradeoff is a steeper slope, loose footing, and potentially more brush.
Some experienced hikers prefer this route for the ascent because the steeper terrain saves distance.
Others use the gentler northern route in both directions.
Because there is no officially maintained summit trail, conditions vary and hikers should be prepared to adjust their route.
🧭 Route-Finding
Mount Catherine is considerably easier to navigate than Mazatzal Peak, but it is still a wilderness summit.
Once hikers leave the Arizona Trail, there are no signs leading to the top.
Useful navigation equipment includes:
- A downloaded topographic map
- GPS or mapping app
- Compass
- Extra battery power
- A recorded trailhead location
Dense vegetation can make it surprisingly easy to drift away from the intended route.
Hikers should also remember exactly where they left the maintained trail so they can relocate it efficiently on the descent.
🌄 Mount Catherine’s Summit
Mount Catherine has a relatively broad summit rather than a narrow pinnacle.
Unlike many wooded mountains, parts of the summit provide excellent views across the surrounding Mazatzals.
A summit cairn and register have traditionally marked the high point.
Trees provide some shade, making the summit a pleasant location for a longer break after the seven-mile approach.
Because the final ascent is comparatively gentle from the north, Mount Catherine can feel almost surprisingly welcoming after the rugged terrain visible throughout the surrounding wilderness.
👀 Summit Views
The views are one of Mount Catherine’s greatest rewards.
To the northeast rises Mazatzal Peak, the 7,905-foot high point of the range.
Several unnamed summits exceeding 7,500 feet line the ridge between the two mountains, including Mount Catherine’s NHN.
The Mogollon Rim can appear beyond the higher Mazatzals.
Looking southeast reveals Mount Peeley, while farther away stand Mount Ord and Four Peaks.
Browns Peak forms the highest point of the Four Peaks massif.
West and southwest, the view reaches toward the Verde River country and reservoirs including Horseshoe and Bartlett.
🏔️ Mount Peeley
Mount Peeley rises just southeast of Mount Catherine and is closely associated with the standard hiking route.
At roughly 7,030 feet, Peeley is lower than Catherine but considerably easier to reach.
A cairned use trail leaves the Mazatzal Divide Trail and climbs toward its summit.
Adding Mount Peeley to a Catherine hike typically adds approximately one mile and several hundred feet of elevation gain.
For strong hikers, combining both summits creates an excellent tour of the southern end of the Mazatzal Divide.
For anyone already facing a long day, however, Catherine alone provides plenty of mileage.
🌄 Mount Catherine and Mazatzal Peak
Mount Catherine and Mazatzal Peak stand only a few miles apart, but the two provide very different summit experiences.
Mazatzal Peak is higher, vastly more prominent, and significantly more difficult.
Its final ascent is notorious for route-finding and dense manzanita.
Mount Catherine has less than one-quarter of Mazatzal Peak’s prominence, yet the nearby Arizona Trail makes it much easier to approach.
The final off-trail segment is also much shorter.
For hikers looking for an introduction to off-trail peakbagging in the Mazatzal Wilderness, Mount Catherine can therefore be a more approachable objective.
🚗 Getting to Mount Peeley Trailhead
The usual access begins from State Route 87 between Phoenix and Payson.
Travelers turn west toward Sycamore Creek north of milepost 222 and follow local roads toward Forest Road 25 and Forest Road 201.
FR 201 continues for several miles to Mount Peeley Trailhead.
The road is unpaved and can be rocky, rutted, and narrow.
A high-clearance vehicle is strongly preferable, while four-wheel drive can be useful depending on current conditions.
Dry weather makes a considerable difference.
Following heavy rain or snow, these roads can become muddy or significantly more difficult.
Current Tonto National Forest road and closure information should always be checked before departure.
💧 Water
Reliable water should never be assumed on a Mount Catherine day hike.
Several springs and seeps exist along the broader Mazatzal Divide Trail, but their flow varies greatly by season and year.
The Arizona Trail Association recommends checking its current water report before relying on any wilderness source.
Any natural water collected in the Mazatzals should be filtered or otherwise purified before drinking.
For a 14-mile day hike, many hikers will find it simpler to carry sufficient water from the trailhead.
☀️ Summer Heat
Mount Catherine reaches more than 7,300 feet, but much of the approach begins considerably lower.
Summer heat can therefore become dangerous.
Temperatures in lower portions of the Mazatzal Mountains can exceed 100°F while the summit remains relatively comfortable.
July and August add another hazard: monsoon thunderstorms.
Lightning, heavy rain, hail, and flash flooding can develop rapidly.
Because Mount Catherine requires a long approach with limited escape options, summer is generally the least attractive season for a summit attempt.
❄️ Winter Conditions
Winter can bring snow to Mount Catherine and the higher Mazatzal ridges.
The amount varies dramatically from year to year.
North-facing forested slopes can hold snow and ice considerably longer than exposed terrain.
The access road to Mount Peeley Trailhead can also become problematic after winter storms.
Mud may create just as much difficulty as snow.
A winter ascent can be beautiful, but it requires more careful evaluation of road conditions, daylight, and weather.
🌸 Best Time to Hike Mount Catherine
Spring and fall are generally the best seasons.
March through May can bring mild temperatures, spring vegetation, and wildflowers.
Late April and May may also offer comfortable temperatures on the higher ridges before significant summer heat arrives.
October and November are excellent choices.
Cooler temperatures make the long mileage much more pleasant, and occasional fall color appears among higher-elevation vegetation.
Winter can work during dry periods.
Summer is usually best avoided because of heat and monsoon storms.
🎒 What to Bring
Mount Catherine is a remote wilderness outing even though most of the route follows an established trail.
Useful equipment includes:
- Plenty of water
- Food for a full day
- Offline topographic navigation
- Sun protection
- Sturdy hiking footwear
- Long pants for brush
- Layers for changing temperatures
- Rain protection when storms are possible
- First-aid supplies
- Headlamp
- Emergency communication device
The long distance makes extra preparation worthwhile even for hikers expecting an uncomplicated day.
🌄 Why Mount Catherine Stands Out
Mount Catherine occupies an interesting middle ground among Arizona mountains.
It is not a major range high point like Mazatzal Peak.
It is not a famous skyline landmark like Four Peaks.
And there is no developed summit trail bringing large crowds to its top.
Instead, Mount Catherine offers something quieter: a long hike along one of Arizona’s great wilderness trails, a manageable off-trail summit, expansive views, and hours spent deep within the Mazatzal Wilderness.
For experienced hikers beginning to explore the lesser-known peaks of central Arizona, Mount Catherine is one of the range’s most rewarding destinations.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How high is Mount Catherine?
Modern LiDAR data places Mount Catherine at approximately 7,361 feet (2,244 meters).
Older topographic maps generally identify the summit as Peak 7358.
Where is Mount Catherine?
Mount Catherine is in Gila County, Arizona, within Tonto National Forest and the Mazatzal Wilderness southwest of Payson.
Is Mount Catherine the same as Peak 7358?
Yes. Peak 7358 is the older topographic designation commonly associated with Mount Catherine.
How prominent is Mount Catherine?
Mount Catherine has approximately 772 feet (235 meters) of topographic prominence.
How isolated is Mount Catherine?
Its isolation is approximately 1.9 miles (3.06 kilometers).
Is Mount Catherine inside the Mazatzal Wilderness?
Yes. The summit lies within the federally designated Mazatzal Wilderness.
Is there a trail to Mount Catherine’s summit?
No maintained trail reaches the summit.
Most hikers follow Cornucopia Trail and the Mazatzal Divide Trail before completing the final half mile off-trail.
How long is the hike?
The standard outing from Mount Peeley Trailhead is approximately 14 miles round trip, although exact mileage depends on the summit route.
How difficult is Mount Catherine?
The maintained-trail portion is straightforward but long. The final summit requires off-trail navigation through forest and brush, making the overall hike best suited to experienced hikers.
Does the Arizona Trail pass Mount Catherine?
Yes. Arizona Trail Passage 23 follows the Mazatzal Divide Trail around the mountain.
Can you hike Mount Peeley and Mount Catherine together?
Yes. Mount Peeley can be added as a side trip, typically bringing the total hike to roughly 15 miles with additional elevation gain.
What is the best time to hike Mount Catherine?
Spring and fall generally offer the best conditions. Summer can be excessively hot and brings frequent monsoon thunderstorms.
🔗 Related Articles
- Mazatzal Peak — the highest mountain in the Mazatzal Mountains, only a few miles northeast of Mount Catherine.
- Mount Ord — another major summit of the Mazatzal Mountains visible from the Mount Catherine area.
- Four Peaks — the famous southern landmark of the Mazatzal Mountains.
- Browns Peak — the highest summit of Four Peaks.
📚 Sources
- Peakbagger — Mount Catherine
- U.S. Geological Survey — Mazatzal Peak Topographic Map
- U.S. Forest Service — Tonto National Forest Land Management Plan
- Arizona Trail Association — Passage 23: Mazatzal Divide
- HikeArizona — Mount Catherine 7358
- SummitPost — Mount Catherine
- Stav Is Lost — Mount Peeley and Mount Catherine
