| when | Trip Report : June 14, 2014 | ||
| where | Mazatzal Mountains | ||
| the hike |
Browns Peak is the northern most peak in the Four Peaks chain.
The parking lot is located at 5700 feet. We will hike up to the top of
Browns Peak at 7657 feet.
On the drive in we will stop at the many crested Saguaro that grow in
the Four Peaks Wilderness area.
The trip to the trailhead will take about 2 hours, counting the photo stops.
The first 2 miles of this hike is well marked trail going through a pine
forest that is re-growing after the 1996 fire.
The last 0.5 miles ends in a scramble up the last 500 feet though a scree chute.
This is a class 4 climb, the last class that you do not need ropes for.
Some may decide to have lunch here rather than go to the top.
The going up is a lot faster than the trip down.
Hiking sticks are must on the way down.
The top of Browns Peak is the highest point in Maricopa County, so from
here you can see most of the canyon lakes, Phoenix and many other points.
The Four Peaks chain is also the east edge of Maricopa County, so if you
fall off who rescues you will change depending where you land.
The weather on Browns is more like Flagstaff than any of the closer cities. If there is lighting in the area we will not do the hike. If a thunderstorm rolls in after noon we may have to move down fast. The weather in Roosevelt is not likely to match what is on Browns. If going to the top you need: • Gloves • Hiking poles • Knee pads or long pants Standard hiking gear: • 3 litres of water • Sunscreen • Camera • Lunch |
||
| distance | 5.25 miles RT | ||
| time | 3-4 hours + 4 hours of drive time | ||
| EC | +-1900' elevation change | ||
| elevations | 5700' (Lone Pine Saddle Trailhead) to 7657' (Browns Peak) | ||
| starting at |
|
||
| on trail | 100% | ||
| rating | "B+" Rate yourself as a hiker. | ||
| dogs? | no | ||
| cost | Sharing gas expenses with the driver. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member. |
||
| weather | Payson | ||
| meet | 7:00 AM in the parking lot of the Target Center on the south side of Shea Blvd., about a mile west of Highway 87 (Beeline). For those leaving their cars behind, please park up against the northwest curb away from Starbucks. | ||
| drive | There are two roads to the Browns Peak parking lot. The rougher road is 20 miles of gravel and rock from Route 87 to the parking lot. The other road is 10 miles of very nice crushed rock from the Lake Roosevelt side. This means taking Route 87 north toward Payson to Route 188 and then back south almost as far as Lake Roosevelt. Which road is used will be decided by how many high clearance vehicles show up for the hike. 4 Wheel drive is not required. |
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