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greenBlue Brown's Ranch Perimeter Loop

FEATURED
  4.6 ( 51 )
FEATURED
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Phoenix Metro
  4. …Scottsdale
  5. McDowell Sonoran Preserve
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Trail

15.5 mile 24.9 kilometer loop
Singletrack
Easy/Intermediate

Elevation

Ascent: 629' 192 m
Descent: -629' -192 m
High: 2,928' 892 m
Low: 2,649' 807 m

Grade

Avg Grade: 2% (1°)
Max Grade: 6% (4°)

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“A looped ride around Brown's and Granite Mountain, then back through Balanced Rock and the Amphitheater.”

— Brent Miller
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Features -none-

Overview

This route wraps around Brown's Mountain to the west then takes you up to the northern section of trails for great desert vistas before heading back around Granite Mountain to enjoy the views of Balanced Rock and the Amphitheater. Most of the trails are formed of crushed granite that roll and twist around. There are some fast downhills and no major climbs to contend with.

Description

From the parking lot, head north on the Brown's Ranch Road. Take your first left onto the Upper Ranch Trail and follow this all the way behind Brown's Mountain past Basalt Ridge Trail to Brown's Ranch Road where you make a left (almost a u-turn). Briefly follow the road until you reach the Corral Trail, turn right and continue pedaling until the trail reaches an intersection. Turn left here onto the High Desert Trail.

Up to this point, the trails have been well marked but once you cross over The Divide Trail, the signs are less frequent.

Continue on High Desert Trail, passing several sign posts that are not yet marked. Keep the MTB Project mobile app out as it's easy to make a wrong turn or miss the way. Just before the seven mile mark (about 6.9 miles in) you'll make a turn to the right at an unmarked sign post, heading south on the Renegade Trail and then soon onto the Desperado Trail. Keep going past the Soapberry Wash Trail and turn right at the intersection with the Coyote Canyon Trail.

This will connect to the Granite Mountain Loop Trail. Head left at the intersection for a clockwise loop around Granite Mountain. This section is a little more technical, but still pretty easy, though there is some climbing. At the southwest corner of the looping trail, turn left to the Balanced Rock Trail to pass the popular Balanced Rock. Proceed straight to travel clockwise along the Cholla Mountain Loop trail at the next intersection.

Watch for the Amphitheater Connector as it's a short and very worthwhile detour to an awesome formation of rocks. After you've enjoyed the sights, continue clockwise. At the southwest corner of the Cholla Mountain Loop, take the Maverick - Cholla Mountain Connector for a short distance and then head right on the Maverick Trail. This will take you back to Brown's Ranch Road and eventually the parking area.

Contacts

Land Manager: City of Scottsdale

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Check-Ins

Apr 20, 2019
Eric Beban
Apr 18, 2019
Ben Elliott
Apr 7, 2019
Max Williams
Almost sat next to a rattle snake. Thanks for the warning, buddy! 15.7mi — 1h 31m
Mar 31, 2019
John Millee
Mar 24, 2019
Derek Klepacz
Mar 24, 2019
Bill B
Mar 1, 2019
Eider Moreno
14.7mi
Feb 10, 2019
Celeste Jacroux
Beautiful ride! I was told that I would like it, but this was the best ride I've done yet in Phoenix. unfortunately I was tired from the start, so… 10mi
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 51 votes

#1

in McDowell Sonoran Preserve

#125

Overall
  4.6 from 51 votes
5 Star
61%
4 Star
35%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#1

in McDowell Sonoran Preserve

#10

in Arizona

#125

Overall
760 Views Last Month
20,358 Since May 12, 2016
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
19%
58%
23%
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Photos

Ride past Balanced Rock for a unique and epic experience!
Ride past Balanced Rock for a unique and epic e…
 13
Cruise the buff singletrack along the perimeter of Brown's Ranch for a great time!
Cruise the buff singletrack along the perimeter…
 6
Making the turns on Cholla Mtn Loop.
Making the turns on Cholla Mtn Loop.
 6
Enjoy a fun-filled, twisty ride with scenic desert vistas in Brown's Ranch.
Enjoy a fun-filled, twisty ride with scenic des…
 4
Spring wildflowers on Granite Mountain Trail.
Spring wildflowers on Granite Mountain Trail.
 3
Balanced Rock, up close and personal
Balanced Rock, up close and personal
 7

4 Comments

Sort by: Oldest
Newest Oldest Popular
Ilana S
Ilana S  
A super delightful and pleasant loop. Nothing hard, but don't fall in the cactus and watch out for other trail users. Nov 27, 2017
Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson  
First time at Brown's Ranch. Did the Perimeter Loop (15.5 miles). My normal run is the Taliesin Loop (~8 miles), so the Perimeter Loop was quite a bit longer than the norm for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the northern and eastern edges. Great track! Dec 17, 2018
Rick Chapuli
San Diego, CA
Rick Chapuli   San Diego, CA
Flat sandy dirt trail with lots of turns. Several obstacles including rocks, sharp plants, the scenery, and my favorite: horse dung. Wet dung, dry dung, and dung that has reconstituted back into hay. And watch out for that scenery. I noticed several bike tracks that did not keep a turn and headed off into vegetation. Jan 12, 2019

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