Black Mountain in north-central Maricopa County, Arizona, stands between Carefree and Cave Creek and is a landmark of the Desert Foothills. Its twin-peaked form reflects two contrasting rock masses: dark metamorphosed sedimentary rock on the west and granite on the east, recording a long history of burial, heating, uplift, and erosion. The surrounding area also holds a deep human history, from Hohokam communities present by about 750 A.D. to Apache territory, later mining in the 1870s, and ranching and dude ranches. Today the mountain is best known for its steep hiking trail and expansive views across the Phoenix Valley.