Brown's Ranch Perimeter Loop
Trail
15.5 mile
24.9 kilometer
loop
80% Singletrack
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°)
Dogs
Leashed
Weather
All Clear
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“A looped ride around Brown's and Granite Mountain, then back through Balanced Rock and the Amphitheater.”
— Brent MillerElectric Mountain Bikes Not Allowed
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.
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
Mar 27, 2020
Will Falltrick
Mellow swooping trails. Nothing fast or challenging, lots of other trail users
16mi
—
2h 00m
Mar 19, 2020
Devon Dorn
Great trail!! Beautiful scenery and includes a remote section out on High Desert trail
15.4mi
Feb 2, 2020
Steve Baker
First ride. Good introductory route. Includes the following trails: Upper Ranch, Corral, High Desert, Renegade, Desperado, Granite Mt Loop & Maverick.
15.2mi
—
1h 55m
May 28, 2019
Ryan Dunn 1
Very mellow. Flat singletrack except for a couple areas of switchbacks.
15.5mi
Apr 7, 2019
Max Williams
Almost sat next to a rattle snake. Thanks for the warning, buddy!
15.7mi
—
1h 31m
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
Aug 18, 2018
Lindsey Trutter
Harder trail for beginners. Definitely some hard sections that had is walking, but overall fun. Long for us as beginners.
15.6mi
May 2, 2018
Don Rizzo
went straight out then to the left for some real fun singletrack, then to balance rock in a hail, thunder and lighting storm. Saw two deer
18.1mi
—
2h 02m
Mar 23, 2018
C Ratliff
First time on this trail. Was very dry and easy to wash out in places and I had a unexpected encounter with a rattlesnake. Overall a nice, easy trail.
16.7mi
Dec 9, 2017
Joe Fleming
Counterclockwise run, much preferred route for this trail. Detoured up to El Diablo and avoided the end part by going back up Browns Ranch road.
15.1mi
Nov 6, 2017
Jim Cervenka
All junctions are well signed. The Preserve offers lots of well designed and maintained trails offering lots of loop options.
Jul 29, 2017
Amanda Lovecchio
We didn't finish the bottom loop but went straight up. We need to go back to do the bottom. so beautiful and fun
!
May 3, 2017
Erik Sandhu
Fun non-technical trail. If you are going to get caught out after dark (like I did) be sure to take a good light. The desert is DARK.
15.6mi
Apr 4, 2017
Jeff Bott
The complete trail is now marked. It did require the app to follow the exact loop but lots of trails to follow.
Mar 24, 2017
Nicky H
Excellent trail. Also road to Granite Mnt Trailhead. Elevation change was 2913 ft. Temp was max 73 degrees. Lots of fun.
22.6mi
Jan 1, 2017
Craig J
Cathedral Rock
Balanced rock
Devils trail
Great flowing trails
Finished in the rain
16mi
Dec 10, 2016
Jorden Whicker
Awesome, awesome, awesome! First time riding this area and love it! Don't let the minimal elevation fool you, it's almost always up-down-up-down.
18.3mi
6 Comments