If you can get past the vertical scree chute toward the end, the views are more than worth it
(Wiki Commons)
Looking southwest atop Brown’s Peak at the other three summits of the Four Peaks formation.
(Wiki Commons)
The Four Peaks are located in Tonto National Forest.
Posted
BROWN’S TRAIL
-- Length: 4.9 miles out and back
-- Elevation Gain: 1,896 feet
-- Notes: The road to the trailhead is not paved and a high-clearance vehicle is suggested to reach the beginning. The hike features a gradual ascent along a challenging and rugged trail, offering stunning views and a sense of accomplishment upon reaching the peak. Admire the scenic desert landscape adorned with various native plants, including saguaro cacti, prickly pear, and wildflowers in the spring.
-- Trailgoers Are Saying: Highlights include beautiful views, technical climbing, and low crowds. Challenges noted are steep ascents and rough conditions on the access road. Recommendations include starting early and wearing proper shoes.
The beauty of the Valley is you can’t look in any direction without seeing those purple mountains.
While they all seemingly stretch to the sky, Maricopa County does indeed have an elevation peak. And the hike there, though spectacular, is not for novices.
Humphreys Peak in Flagstaff is celebrated as the highest mountain in Arizona with an elevation of 12,637 feet. Maricopa County has its own peak, which, too, is celebrated. From its image emblazoned on Arizona license plates to being the namesake of one of the Valley’s most beloved breweries, Four Peaks mountain with its distinctive row of four north-to-south peaks forming the summit within Tonto National Forest, is home to the county’s highest spot.
Brown’s Peak, the northernmost of the Four Peaks, at 7,659 feet stands above all other points in Maricopa County.
The peaks are only about 30 to 45 minutes northeast of the Phoenix Metro, but getting to Brown’s Trail, the hike that reaches the Brown summit, is more of a two-hour car ride to get there.
Users on alltrails.com rate the trail difficulty from “hard” to “strenuous,” not the least daunting of which is its challenging scree chute (a steep gully filled with loose rock) vertical ascent which by most accounts features a 1,000-foot elevation gain in about a quarter mile.
The reward for traversing the route, though, is the peak to put hikers on the very top of Maricopa County with breathtaking views including – according to one hiker on a clear day – all the way to Humphreys Peak.
alltrails.com users commented:
“Beautiful views, the last .2 miles is no joke. Definitely take your time going up. Best views in Maricopa County in my opinion.”
“Extremely difficult hike but the views were stunning.”
“Pretty steady until the summit straight up. Pay attention to the trail.”
Tonto National Forest offers seven Wilderness Areas of nearly 600,000 acres. Among them, the Four Peaks Wilderness was established in 1984 and contains approximately 60,740 acres.
The Four Peaks are located in Tonto National Forest.
(Wiki Commons)
Steve Stockmar News Editor | Sun Life Magazine & Arts & Entertainment
YourValley.net
Meet Steve Steve Stockmar joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, and has been an Arizona journalist for almost 30 years. He serves as editor of Sun Life Magazine and contributes to West Valley communities where he focuses mostly on arts & culture, education, and profiles of neighbors making a difference.
Community: Every season Steve serves as a “buddy” with the Miracle League of Arizona in Scottsdale, has volunteered his time with Family Promise in Glendale, and previously served on the Ghostlight Theatre board in Sun City West.
Education: Graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a Journalism major and English minor.
Random Fact: Steve once won a 50-player live Texas Hold ’Em poker tournament.
Hobbies: Anguishing over his beloved Chicago Cubs and Bears; listening to Beatles and Grateful Dead music.
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