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Brown's Ranch Perimeter Loop

 4.5 (32)
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Phoenix Metro
  4. …Scottsdale
  5. McDowell Sonoran Preserve
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Length

15.6 Miles 25.0 Kilometers


80%

Singletrack

Elevation

632' 193 m

Ascent

-632' -193 m

Descent

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

8%

Max Grade (4°)

2,928' 892 m

High

2,648' 807 m

Low

Conditions

All Clear 50 days ago
Mostly Dry History
Getting forecast...

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

— Brent Miller
GPX File — Driving Directions

Overview [Suggest Changes]

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.
Features: -none- [Add/Remove]
Dogs: Leashed

Description [Suggest Changes]

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 around Brown's Mountain to Brown's Ranch Road. Briefly follow the road again to the left 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 either missing or haven't been set up yet.

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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Your Check-Ins

Check-Ins

May 19, 2018
Mike Thomas
May 6, 2018
Rodney Reagans
14.4mi
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
Apr 27, 2018
Chuck Taylor
Apr 21, 2018
Marco Lafontaine
Mar 25, 2018
Jay Holsten
Mar 25, 2018
Mike Kortas
18.6mi
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
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 32 votes

#1

in McDowell Sonoran Preserve

#185

Overall
  4.5 from 32 votes
5 Star
53%
4 Star
41%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#1

in McDowell Sonoran Preserve

#14

in Arizona

#185

Overall
479 Views Last Month
11,654 Since May 12, 2016
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
20%
63%
17%
0%
0%
0%
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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…
 12
Cruise the buff singletrack along the perimeter of Brown's Ranch for a great time!
Cruise the buff singletrack along the perimeter…
 5
Enjoy a fun-filled, twisty ride with scenic desert vistas in Brown's Ranch.
Enjoy a fun-filled, twisty ride with scenic des…
 4
Making the turns on Cholla Mtn Loop.
Making the turns on Cholla Mtn Loop.
 5
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

2 Comments

Sort by: Oldest
Newest Oldest Popular

 
A loop ride around Brown's and Granite Mountain, then back through Balanced Rock and Amphitheater. Typical Brown's Ranch trails. This route works deep into the northern desert for some awesome desert vistas! See more views from photos/videos at Tucson Bike Rentals at tucsonbikerentals.org Jul 19, 2016
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

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