21.1 miles

Distance

1,099 ft

Climb

-1,100 ft

Descent

3,018 ft

High Point

Update to the 20 mile Tech Loop originally by Boomingsooner - adjusting for new and closed trails.

Starts from Brown's Ranch TH. Includes some of the best trails in the system. Designed to run CCW for the most downhill fun. Mostly XC, but with the Diablos it will give you the best black areas on the property as well.

Detailed Description

Brown's Ranch Tech Loop from BR TH 21 miles is a 21 mile popular intermediate route located near Scottsdale Arizona. This mountain bike only route. This route includes 15 trails. This route climbs 1,099 ft with a max elevation of 3,018 ft then descends -1,100 ft.

Local Trail Association

Desert Foothills Mountain Bike Association (www.dfmba.org)

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37 Reviews & Comments

Score Time Route Post Comment

Ampfrog (Dec 30, 2022 at 1:06)

Trail El Diablo North

North & South Diablo are great places to learn tech riding, highly recommend them for that, but like the rest of Brown's, ratings are soft and only "black diamond" at Brown's (Granite Dells, Sedona, Flag, Tucson black diamonds are much more difficult and/or serious consequences for crashing; also plenty of tech blue trails around the state that are more difficult); there are a couple B-lines that are more difficult, but not obvious or part of the main trails. If looking for an example of obvious black diamond-level at Brown's, ride the chunky section just south of the saddle on Brown's Mtn (either direction).

[Reply]

Ampfrog (Feb 15, 2022 at 1:23)

Good loop for general riding, see other tech loops in the area to actually maximize technical riding (just adding the Diablo areas to a 21 mi easy XC loop does not warrant adding 'Tech' to the title).

[Reply]

Ampfrog (Jan 3, 2022 at 22:47)

Trail Cloudburst Trail

Definitely full of bike park berms, but short and not nearly as fun as Hawks or High Desert in the downhill directions. Also, no indication this should be ridden downhill on trail, caution for those riding up.

[Reply]

Ampfrog (Oct 29, 2021 at 3:07)

Trail Maverick Trail

Yep, skip the east half, ride from Connector to Brown's Rd, so much fun! If not busy (think weekday evenings), 20+ mph plus jumps (gaps if you have enough speed/technique), with a couple short steep bits towards the end to keep you honest.

[Reply]

Ampfrog (Aug 23, 2021 at 2:10)

Trail El Diablo South

Probably some of the largest features at Brown's (save east side of Brown's Mtn trail), but as many have said, still 'techy blue' by comparison to Prescott/Sedona/Flag trails (or even Trail 100 more locally).
Super fun place to build tech skills and plenty of different lines in a single segment of the trail to try out and build confidence. Don't forget those uphill skills/line choice...

[Reply]

RunningFish (May 5, 2021 at 21:16)

Trail El Diablo North

The trail is located in the north eastern part of browns ranch meaning you have to ride a couple miles to get here. This trail is the most technical trail in browns ranch, it has many rock boulders that you go down and climb over. There are also alternate lines that go around the technical features. This trail is like a dumbed down version of the national trail. It has large rocks and boulders that you go over but in between the rock sections it is a smooth hard packed single track. Brown's ranch is a very popular place but since the trail is in the middle of brown’s there is very little traffic on El DIablo.

[Reply]

nermandersh (Dec 19, 2020 at 4:09)

Trail El Diablo North

Rode south to north. It's fun with some minor challenges, but probably only worthy of an intermediate rating in terms of difficulty.

[Reply]

nermandersh (Dec 19, 2020 at 4:06)

Trail El Diablo South

Rode south to north. Fun trail with some cool features, but definitely not worthy of a black diamond rating. I would say it's intermediate at best with only a few vaguely challenging spots which all have bypasses.

[Reply]

Brad-Brad

(Jun 24, 2020 at 12:06)

Trail El Diablo North

I dislike when no one describes where to park and the trip to and from the vehicle. Okay so if I want to go South to north, where do I park? if I want to go North to South, where do I park? I get that that's not the ride but I have to get their. Am I missing something?

[Reply]

Ampfrog (Dec 30, 2022 at 10:36)

Trail El Diablo North

Not a bike park. This is a preserve. Takes many miles of riding from any trailhead to either entrance to the trail.

[Reply]

ThatGuy-MTB (Apr 3, 2020 at 18:13)

Trail Maverick Trail

I agree with dcrighton. The first half is an uphill climb but the western section is a fantastic roller coaster trail where you can open up and have fun.

[Reply]

ThatGuy-MTB (Apr 3, 2020 at 18:11)

Trail Balanced Rock Trail

You can make this trail as hard or as easy as you like. Balanced rock can be sessioned, both up and down, on either side and is fun to play around on with the bike. The rest of the trail is well groomed and an easy climb if riding North and a fun DH is riding south.

[Reply]

ThatGuy-MTB (Apr 3, 2020 at 18:10)

Trail Granite Mtn. Loop

Easy trail that connects granite mountain loop to balanced rock. Well maintained as easy to ride.

[Reply]

ThatGuy-MTB (Apr 3, 2020 at 18:09)

Trail Granite Mtn. Loop

Riding North to South there is a somewhat short uphill section that leads into a great DH section where you can really open the bike up. There are many blind corners though so be sure to call out as you near them to avoid hitting someone coming south to north. There are some small mounds that you can utilize as jumps on the trail as well. Overall it is a well groomed trail that allows you to enjoy the desert whipping by you.

[Reply]

Ampfrog (Mar 31, 2022 at 4:08)

Trail Granite Mtn. Loop

Note: Riding CW is definitely easier than CCW. However, definitely not "downhill". Still XC, but a fun cruise! And yes, keep an eye out for those mini-air rollers.

[Reply]

ThatGuy-MTB (Apr 3, 2020 at 18:06)

Trail El Diablo North

I like to ride this section from green to red. Compared to Diablo South, I think Diablo North is the easier of the two but gives you more session opportunities because there are multiples lines at about each feature. If you do not want to tackle a section, you can bypass them, but where’s the fun it that?

[Reply]

ThatGuy-MTB (Apr 3, 2020 at 18:03)

Trail El Diablo South

I like to ride this from red to green, so north to south. Great section with some great boulder crawls to test your skills. I would recommend scoping lines before tackling some of the bigger hurdles since there are quite a few line choices. You will have cell service (Verizon, Sprint) in this area so you can double check the maps in case u get turned around. Also, the more technical sections can be bypassed if you do not feel comfortable tackling them and don’t want to HAB. Overall this is a great trail to improve your technical skills.

[Reply]

twowheeledwanderer (Feb 5, 2020 at 18:20)

Trail El Diablo South

South to north does have better flow. The Diablo trails are in my top favorite trails in Phoenix for their rock rolls and engaging terrain. They're not very technical IMO, but fun nonetheless twowheeledwanderer.com/posts/best-mountain-bike-trails-in-phoenix-arizona

[Reply]

twowheeledwanderer (Feb 5, 2020 at 18:17)

Trail El Diablo North

This is a great trail in a great network! Brown's Ranch is super fun and has amazing views and engaging terrain. Diablo North is moderately technical with go-arounds if you need them. I rode it north to south and felt like I was climbing all the features rather than descending them, which was challenging, but I think it would be more flowy from south to north twowheeledwanderer.com/posts/best-mountain-bike-trails-in-phoenix-arizona

[Reply]

PB-Fingerz (Jan 13, 2020 at 21:46)

Trail El Diablo North

Sorry I wrote that backwards.... If you want to descend more: South>>North. If you want to climb more: North>>South

[Reply]

PB-Fingerz (Jan 13, 2020 at 21:40)

Trail El Diablo South

I like to ride South to North. It flows better and I can ride down the technical features instead of climbing up them.

[Reply]

mikeberry41

(Dec 22, 2019 at 12:31)

Trail Cloudburst Trail

Best ridden from the South to Northwest. Probably the fastest/most fun downhill run in the preserve. Super clean and the berms are built up super high to really carve into turns

[Reply]

Clutch-Cargo (Oct 6, 2019 at 18:50)

Trail Cloudburst Trail

This trail has been formally named "Cloudburst"

[Reply]

martman800

(Feb 13, 2019 at 11:39)

Trail El Diablo South

I feel like this trail is a little over rated. It was fun, but more deserving of an intermediate designation.

[Reply]

STGDSS92 (Feb 11, 2019 at 16:59)

Trail Granite Mtn. Loop

Wouldn't call this a blue trail..parts of cholla loop are harder than the "spicy" parts of granite mtn loop.... still really fun and flowy. Lots of photo ops, the overlook is amazing.

[Reply]

Ampfrog (Mar 31, 2022 at 4:05)

Trail Granite Mtn. Loop

Not sure what trail you were on, there is nothing around the entire Cholla loop that is as "spicy" as the Granite Mtn Loop. Granite has switchbacks with rocks to say the least, Cholla is beginner all around unless you know the B-lines for harder challenges. Did you end up in the Diablo areas north of Cholla?

[Reply]

Scooter1969

(Dec 23, 2018 at 7:53)

Trail Hawknest Trail

GREAT RIDE North To South (downhill) with lots of jumps. CAREFUL as lots of blind corners and riders also riding south to north. I would full approve this trail to be single direction as we had 4 "encounters" in single ride with fast moving downhillers and I love to ride this one down hill.

[Reply]

Dcrighton

(Sep 11, 2018 at 21:22)

Trail Maverick Trail

Best if ridden east to west. Also the western half is tons of fun an can be taken at pretty high speeds. I like to go around granite mountain then down the west side of Cholla mountain and finish with the second half of Maverick to get to the parking lot.

[Reply]

zinedith

(Dec 30, 2017 at 19:41)

Trail El Diablo North

Easy way around most hard feature. Not very demanding. Pretty flowy for most of it with a few small technical section. Still super fun.

[Reply]

bmcmahan (Nov 28, 2017 at 18:05)

Trail Watershed Trail

Fun easy ride, my 5 year old daughter loved riding down this.

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Tanman34 (Nov 12, 2017 at 11:50)

Trail Hackamore Trail

Best ridden from road down to wash. Super fast and fun downhill

[Reply]

Scooter1969

(Dec 19, 2016 at 22:37)

Trail El Diablo South

accurate description

[Reply]

Scooter1969

(Dec 19, 2016 at 22:36)

Trail El Diablo North

Great ride. Good rock faces to ride on and some challenging hills

[Reply]

arathorn13 (Jun 6, 2016 at 8:40)

Trail El Diablo South

Very fun technical stuff. Ride it south to north from the divide trail. The signage is confusing as hell so it takes some trial and error to find a route. The trail disappears altogether when it crosses the granite slabs. I had to get off my bike and study lines quite a bit, which is cool by me.

[Reply]

DrHog

(Nov 29, 2014 at 21:19)

Trail Hackamore Trail

Fun trail, suitable for beginners, some sandy spots but very few rocks.

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DrHog

(Nov 29, 2014 at 21:08)

Trail Granite Mtn. Loop

This is a gorgeous trail, and pretty easy for beginners and kids.

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DrHog

(Nov 29, 2014 at 21:07)

Trail Granite Mtn. Loop

This is a gorgeous trail, and pretty easy for beginners and kids.

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Deleted threads/comments are hidden

Trails in Route

	Wrangler Trail				1,050 ft
	Maverick Trail				1 mile
	Watershed Trail				2,549 ft
	Balanced Rock Trail				1 mile
	Granite Mtn. Loop				4,396 ft
	Granite Mtn. Loop				2 miles
	El Diablo South				1 mile
	Bypass				522 ft
	El Diablo North				1 mile
	Bypass				184 ft
	The Divide				1 mile
	Hawknest Trail				3 miles
	Cloudburst Trail				4,409 ft
	Hackamore Trail				2,336 ft
	Sunset Vista				830 ft

Details

Riding area

Brown's Ranch
Primary Activity

Mountain Bike
Difficulty rating

Blue
Bike type

AM, XC
Ridelogs

317

More Stats for Brown's Ranch Tech Loop from BR TH 21 miles mountain bike route

Altitude change

-1 ft
Altitude min

2,581 ft
Altitude start

2,721 ft
Altitude end

2,720 ft
Grade max

-17.3%
Grade min

19.9%
Distance climb

7 miles
Distance down

8 miles
Distance flat

6 miles

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Photos

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483

Videos

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

status	trail	date	condition	description
	Granite Mtn. Loop	Jan 27, 2023 @ 10:16pm Jan 27, 2023
	Granite Mtn. Loop	Jan 27, 2023 @ 10:16pm Jan 27, 2023
	Balanced Rock Trail	Jan 27, 2023 @ 10:16pm Jan 27, 2023
	Wrangler Trail	Jan 26, 2023 @ 5:08am Jan 26, 2023
	Watershed Trail	Jan 22, 2023 @ 12:10pm Jan 22, 2023

Brown's Ranch Tech Loop from BR TH 21 miles route

Local Trail Association

37 Reviews & Comments

Trails in Route

Details

More Stats for Brown's Ranch Tech Loop from BR TH 21 miles mountain bike route

Photos

Videos

Recent Trail Reports Along Route