Name: Brown's Ranch Perimeter Loop
Rating: 4.5

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

— Brent Miller

Driving Directions GPX File

Dogs Leashed

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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

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.5 from 41 votes

#1

in McDowell Sonoran Preserve

#167

Overall

4.5 from 41 votes

5 Star		59%
4 Star		37%
3 Star		5%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Rankings

#1

in McDowell Sonoran Preserve

#11

in Arizona

#167

Overall

1,167 Views Last Month

15,490 Since May 12, 2016

Easy/Intermediate

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		56%
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Photos

Ride past Balanced Rock for a unique and epic e…

Cruise the buff singletrack along the perimeter…

Enjoy a fun-filled, twisty ride with scenic des…

Making the turns on Cholla Mtn Loop.

Spring wildflowers on Granite Mountain Trail.

Balanced Rock, up close and personal

Great view of distant Brown Mountain

Poppies and lupines along Saddle-horn Trail.

Balanced rock on the Cholla Loop Trail at Brown…

The Amphitheater

2 Comments

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

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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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15.5 Miles 24.9 Kilometers 80% Singletrack	629' 192 m Ascent -629' -192 m Descent
2% Avg Grade (1°) 6% Max Grade (4°)	2,928' 892 m High 2,649' 807 m Low

Brown's Ranch Perimeter Loop

15.5 Miles 24.9 Kilometers

80%

629' 192 m

-629' -192 m

2%

6%

2,928' 892 m

2,649' 807 m

Shared By Brent Miller

Conditions

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

Dogs Leashed

Features -none-

Overview

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Trail Ratings

#1

#167

#1

#11

#167

Photos

2 Comments

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