Hiking Four Peaks in Mazatzal Mountains
East of Phoenix, AZ, Browns Trail Leads to Summit of Highest Peak
Nov 2, 2009
Looking eastward from the northern saddle of Four Peaks, hikers can spot Roosevelt Lake snaking through the foothills that lead to Payson. To the west, several miniature mounds dimple the Valley of the Sun: Camelback Mountain, Papago Park and Piestewa Peak.
Far less crowded and strenuous than those hiking destinations in the city, Browns Trail offers casual hikers an easy walk to the saddle but challenges avid hikers who want to tackle Browns Peak, towering at 7,657 feet.
Browns Peak is the highest of the Four Peaks, which rise on the Valley’s eastern horizon, about 60 miles from downtown Phoenix along Highway 87. Remnants of the Lone Fire still scar the area more than a decade after torching about 61,000 square miles of the Tonto National Forest. A mix of willowy shrubs and blackened tree trunks line the road leading to the northern trailhead. A small dirt parking lot marks the beginning of Browns Trail and the Four Peaks circumference trail.
Navigating Browns Trail
Browns Trail is clearly marked and well maintained. A series of switchbacks crisscrosses the north façade of Browns Peak, winding through scattered ponderosa pines and juniper trees. The 2-mile trek to the saddle takes about an hour.
Peering upward from the saddle, one can see the rocky chute that leads to the top. The sight of the foreboding peak forces many hikers to call the saddle their final destination.
A shoddy trail continues up to the summit. Snowcaps linger inside the steep path well into spring.
It takes about 30 minutes to negotiate the steep, rocky chute to reach the summit. Loose rocks and gravel make the footing tricky. In a few places hikers may find themselves scrambling on all fours because of the steepness.
The summit is rewarding with views of seemingly endless mountains and valleys. Roosevelt Lake wraps around foothills to the east and the Superstition Mountains cut through valleys to the southwest. The 360-degree panorama makes the careful plodding inside the chute well worth the effort.
Hiking Browns Trail at Four Peaks, Facts a Glance
- How to get there: To reach the trailhead from Phoenix, take Highway 87 south past Punkin Center to Forest Road 143. Turn right about four miles shy of Roosevelt Lake, then take Forest Road 648 to the small dirt parking lot at the Lone Pine Saddle Trailhead.
- When to visit: Spring and fall
- What to take: In summer, be sure to wear a hat and carry plenty of water. Gloves are helpful when navigating the chute.
- Watch out for: Dirt roads leading to the trailhead are popular with people riding dirt bikes and ATVs. Be mindful of riders because there are many blind turns and narrow passages.
- Elevation: Trailhead 5,700 feet; saddle 6,760 feet; peak 7,657 feet
- Difficulty: Easy to the saddle; strenuous to the peak
- Length: 2 miles to the saddle; about 0.4 more miles to the summit
- Contact: Tonto National Forest, (602) 225-5200
Hikers need to be especially careful of the heat and take precautions during the summer. To learn more, visit Tips for Hiking in the Heat.
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