Arizona · Hiking · Mazatzal Wilderness

Barnhardt

11.7 mi
round trip
1,864 ft
climb
6,099 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Oct
best months

Is Barnhardt open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Payson Ranger District. It doesn't name Barnhardt, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Payson Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Barnhardt is a hard hike in Arizona's Mazatzal Wilderness, within the Payson Ranger District of Tonto National Forest. The trail is an out-and-back that climbs from about 4,193 feet to about 6,099 feet, a total gain of 1,864 feet over roughly 11.7 miles. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is accessible. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Payson show May highs around 80°F and October highs around 76°F, while July averages about 93°F and winter lows dip to the mid-20s. The trail is open year-round, and the parking area is named Barnhardt TH. Bikes are not allowed, and the surface is natural. Several other hikes sit close by. Y Bar is about half a mile away, Half Moon is about a mile off, and Brody Seep and Deer Creek are both within about 3.5 miles.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Oct

    Best time to visit Barnhardt

    Best months: March–May and October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      56° / 26°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      58° / 28°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      65° / 32°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      72° / 36°

      3 wet

    5. May

      80° / 43°

      2 wet

    6. Jun

      90° / 51°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      93° / 60°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      91° / 59°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      86° / 52°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      76° / 41°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      64° / 31°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      55° / 26°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Payson, AZ, 10.9 mi away at 4,850 ft. The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.