Browns Peak via Brown's Trail is a 4.7 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Tortilla Flat, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips and is accessible year-round.
The road to the trailhead is not paved. For more information, please review the park website. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd773006.pdf
April 19, 2021Second time summiting on Saturday, 4/17, still my favorite hike in the valley. All the ice and snow is gone, but still gets chilly and windy up there so I recommend layers. Very sad to see the damage from the fire. I took my 60 year old parents up, and they felt the chute was not accurately described in reviews so I’m writing another. It’s steep, exposed, sketchy and dangerous at times, near vertical climbing, and down is harder than up. Helmet is not a bad idea with lots of falling rocks from people above you. That said, it’s a blast for adventure seekers and people without a fear of heights, and you can’t beat the views from the top. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes, we saw one on the road very close to the trailhead. As others said, recommend some ground clearance for the drive, especially if you take the road off the 87, but 4WD is prob not necessary.
April 14, 2021Endurance wise this trail is not hard. However, going up the chute is quite difficult if you have an apprehension to heights. Sustaining serious injury from a fall is a very real possibility. Its way sketchier than the flatirion, but endurance wise, way easier. It's quite thrilling with stellar views. Also, a vehicle with decent ground clearance is recommended for the drive in. 18ish miles of unpaved rocky road.
April 13, 2021I’m a relatively fit person and in my opinion, this trail is moderate. There’s one area where it’s a bit of a “scramble”, but difficulty wise... nothing compared to flatiron or 3 sisters. Beautiful views.
April 11, 2021LOL the drive up. Take the long way from Phoenix up the mountain along the lake. 6 miles up and down. Wear pants on the way down because you will have to do some scooting down rocks. Absolutely awesome views & really rewarding climb
April 11, 2021A very subjective hike. It won’t be for everyone but I personally loved it and now consider it one of my favorites in Arizona. The panoramic views at the summit are incredible. Who should go: People who don’t mind heights, some rock scrambling, and who like or want a challenging journey to the pay-off. Who probably should NOT go: People who do not like rock scrambling and fast vertical gain. Not ideal for first time hikers because they likely won’t complete the “Chute”. Also, if someone hates down-climbing and you hate guiding down-climbers, then probably not a match made in Heaven. Hike Comparison: Siphon Draw to Flat Iron is the most common comparison for this hike. I would consider Brown’s peak less exhausting but more challenging since there are less people and more loose rock which can fall on you from above. Only about 2-4 “spicy” spots for rock scrambling at Brown’s peak. No bouldering or 90 degree climbing. I actually consider the Battleship Mountain hike more challenging than this due to fewer hand holds and steeper drop-offs and zero shade. Miscellaneous: The infamous “Chute” is very doable and more mental than anything. Once you push through the “spicy spots” you realize it’s actually very manageable and incredibly fun. I saw folks of all shapes, weight, and age complete the chute. I wish I had worn a climbing helmet though for potential rock fall which is very real. How to get to the trailhead: Go towards Payson from Phoenix on the 87 and take a right on the 188 and then take a right on El Olso Road which leads to the parking lot for the trail head. About 11 miles of fairly smooth dirt roads. We drove a Toyota RAV4 and had zero issues. A one way road but plenty of areas to make room for passing vehicles. Be careful of the ORVs who are flying around the corners. Cars can do it but will take a beating on their suspensions. Compact SUVs and above with at least all-wheel drive recommended. Trail Info: Not a pretty hike on Brown’s trail. Due to the fires, everything is burnt but it’s visually interesting with the scorched trees. We started with the Four peaks to Amethyst trail first before rejoining on the Brown’s trail to the Chute. Steeper on Amethyst but had more greenery and guaranteed us a 5.5 mile day with 2000 ft of vert that day.
April 11, 2021The trial to the chute was nice steady incline. The chute is hard and difficult but it’s totally do able go slow and have good shoes/boots you will make it so worth the climb. The road is not the best In spots would recommend something with ground clearance. Had a Chevy 1500 in 2wd took about an hour to get to trail head..
April 10, 2021Awesome hike, well worth the views and not as bad as expected up the chute. Came in from East from 188 and recommend having a 4-wheel vehicle. No snow, but windy. Recommend pants too as it’s over grown a bit!
April 5, 2021April 4, 2021Great trail! Hard but not difficult, especially for the experienced (if not just take it slow). The chute is the most difficult part because it's steep and nearly Bouldering but quite doable! I think that made it as fun as it was!!! I had basically no signal, so make sure you print or download a map. And the drive in is a long dirt road drive (took me an hour) with lots of dispersed camping! I did it easily in a sedan but I definitely recommend driving up and back on the entrance on the East side (off HWY 188). It's the smoothest compared to coming up from the west side ( off the 87)
April 3, 2021So sad that’s it’s so burned but a rad climb up through the Shute!
April 2, 2021Aw, shoot. The chute is steep! Judging by the gaps in the summit log, most people visiting the Browns trailhead aren’t coming for chute.
March 31, 2021With Sarah, kids & Buppa! Snow still in chute
March 30, 2021Wouldn’t do it again with ice in the shoot; felt too precarious for comfort on the final stretch.
March 26, 2021Wonderful hike!! I would recommend what I did on accident, started up the 130 trail (left of Browns), which connects with hardly any additional mileage; what it does give you is a view of the lake the whole way. I attempted the summit and was sooo close before my sense of self-preservation kicked in and told me to go back down. Today it was in the 30s and snowing! Very very cold at the top. There was still a lot of snow. So worth the long bumpy drive on the dirt road.
March 24, 2021Great hike! Blizzard started when we left the summit which made it spicy. Highly recommend micro spikes.
March 22, 2021This area is absolutely beautiful and the hike is not as long as most peak hikes in AZ! The hike is actually more like 6 miles out and back, with the elevation gain around 1900’. Pros: not heavily trafficked trail, lake views, Valley views, stunning summit view, and its of course it’s the iconic mountain on the AZ license plate. Cons: unfortunately substantial amount of burnage, chilly winds, and SNOW still. WORD OF CAUTION: the last quarterish mile (800ft climb) up the shoot to the peak is no joke! If you look at most people’s recordings, they don’t actually make it to the peak before turning around. The snow in the shoot packed and became icy. Even those with Crampons couldn’t make it. My group successfully made it with tennis shoes, but we are a younger, more confident group of hikers. Even if you can’t make it to the top, the trail is still worth the visit!
March 20, 2021March 8, 2021Very very windy. Last .2 miles are STEEP! Most of the trees are burnt on the way up but it gets into sections that are lively.
March 7, 2021The drive to the trailhead was fun in my Jeep, but a little longer than I anticipated. It was a great hike but due to a late start I only had time to make it to the bottom of the shoot. I got some beautiful pictures of the sunset. I hope to have enough time next time I'm in Arizona.
