brown's canyon trail

This was a great ten mile mountain bike trail. Challenging climb because I am not used to the approximately 6000 foot elevation. The run down was very fun and long. There were two very challenging jumps on the way down. The other ditches, jumps and bumps, etc. were not so scary. This trail is not for beginners. I am a lower level moderate rider and found it to be a blast.

Don't like people who let their pets run around uncontrolled! See many animals and birds by the two pond at the bottom and up on the trail by the stream in the summer the rains fill the waterfalls beautifully. Do watch out for Mountain Lions and Bears...

Spent about 3 hours hiking this in mid march. Great vistas, enough elevation to get me sweating but not terribly difficult.

We hiked in for about an hour or so and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. The canyon was not very crowded, only 1-3 other small groups. The old farmstead at the trail head is a nice place to explore before or after your hike

This is a wonderful trail with a small stream running through it for most of the year that will not leave the hiker wanting at the end...

For experienced hikers, this 7 1/2 to 8 mile round trip from Ramsey Canyon Preserve or the trailhead on Ramsey Canyon Road is a treat to the senses. Parts are rocky but the trail is well marked. Wildlife abounds but most likely will be watching you!

Be aware that Brown Canyon is a high desert hike. It's dry and can be extremely hot. The trail begins from a parking area about 1.1 miles up Ramsey Canyon Road (you're heading West). The parking area is to the right through a gap in the fence. Head generally North following the road/trail and drop down a relatively steep hill to access the canyon. The canyon is broad and flat as you head generally West. Look ahead as you walk into the canyon and you'll see some rocks jutting up on the ridge line ahead. They are actually on Ft. Huachuca and are a stretch pebble conglomerate. The trail swings past these but it is a steep climb through brush (rattlesnakes are a concern, too) to get a close-up view. The trail passes through a fence line and there are some interesting rock formations to the right. You will arrive at a water trough where Brown Canyon Road comes into the canyon.The trail then enters a wilderness area and begins to get steeper. You can continue on the trail for several miles eventually reaching the West side of the Ramsey Canyon Preserve and the West end of Ramsey Canyon Road. If you proceed through the entire trail, don't miss the twisted rock formations as you cross the drainage right to left and climb up back to your right. There is a good view East toward the valley and the Mule Mountains.

My favorite hike in the Huachuca Mountains! While the trail is not very developed, it is easy to follow and is a beautiful look at the unique landscape that make s up these Arizona Mountain "Islands". Lots of wildlife is common, to include the occassional black bear! It does include a fair amount of vertical, so it is not for the inexperienced hikers. Also, carry plenty of water as the dry Arizona weather can get a hiker into trouble very easily!

This is a nice walk that takes you up to a point where you can see for miles around, there's a grave there, it's a great view of the aerostat, and then you start to walk into the canyon down a long steep trail. This trail eventually forks into two trails: one way takes you further up into the mountain to meet the trailheads up there : the other trail eventually takes you back onto the Ramsay Canyon Road, but much further up than where you parked your car at the entrance to Brown Canyon and near the Ramsay Canyon Road. Once you go down the steep trail into the canyon below it does level off for some really good walking and it is really forested and pretty. A bicyclist past us by - I have no idea how he made it down that steep incline down into the canyon. But he did. We saw people on horses and other hikers, but not that many people. So it's a pleasant time to be out in nature.

We like this trail in part for the proximity to Sierra Vista. In minutes we can be on the trail and hiking, walking the dog, and out in nature. Mostly simple and easy grades.... quickly getting into the forested elevations, with some old ruins of buildings along the way. The aerostat is just northeast of the Brown Canyon Ranch house, and the border with Ft. Huachuca is very near to the north. Hikers, bicycles and horses are welcome on the trail. The ranch house is a good spot for a picnic or group gathering, with tables, trees, pond and corrals on site. The house is open and it's history is described inside. It is an ongoing restoration project. Access is from Ramsey Canyon road, with parking just off the pavement, or at the ranch house a mile down a good dirt road.

When wet it could be dangerous. Full pain going up for the first half mile or so. Very exciting coming down the mountain but beware of dry creek bed.

Two ways to get started on this hike, which can be broken into several segments. Option one is to park at the lot just off Ramsey Canyon Road and follow the trail. Option two is to park at the almost restored Brown Canyon Ranch House, a little ways off Ramsey Canyon Road. The hike can be as short as to Mr. Frierson's grave, or as long as to the water trough or even the Spring. The trail is shaded most of the way, but do get an early start during late spring and summer --- and don't forget water.

This was an enjoyable hike, not too strenuous. The elevation gain was gentle but good footwear is needed. We parked at Brown's Ranch house which is about a mile from the designated parking area off Ramsey Canyon Rd. There are no signs indicating another parking area or where the canyon trail starts. I suspect many first timers give up looking for the trailhead so I suggest driving down the dirt road to the ranch house. The historic Brown's Ranch house area provides lots of parking, a restroom and a couple picnic tables. The trail provides a great nature walk with a good variety of trees, plant, birds etc. Even though it was not prime birding season, we still saw a Strickland's woodpecker, lots of Rufous-Sided Towhee's, Bewick's Wren and the usual Thrashers etc. This canyon links up with other trails and you can spend as much or as little time as desired. If we're in this area again, we definitely would do this again.

Whether you're a hiker, mountain biker, or on horseback, Brown's Canyon Trail accomodates everyone. Even leashed dogs are welcome, which isn't the case on some nearby trails. The trailhead head has an adequate parking area or you can drive up a bit further to park and get closer to the canyon. You have a choice of hiking to the Brown Ranch which loops back onto this trail or go directly into the canyon. Lots to see- a running stream part of the year, woods, interesting, yet easy trail with side trails to an old mine, ruins of a cabin, and an old family cemetery. There are plenty of wildflowers in the spring - fall, and you'll probably see some wildlife- Arizona gray squirrels being the most common. However deer, bears, and other larger mammals are a possibility. The trail ends at the junction with the National Forest. There you'll find a water trough for your horse or dog, and plenty of big rocks to sit a spell and eat your lunch. If you're up for an all day hike continue into the National Forest and that trail will take you to the Hamburg Trail which winds down into Ramsey Canyon Preserve. If you've only got a couple of hours, Brown's Canyon Trail is a great hike in and back to enjoy southeastern Arizona beauty.As always, you should wear sturdy shoes, use sunscreen, and bring plenty of water and your camera. Watch for snakes- this is Arizona.