10.5 miles
Distance
699 ft
Climb
-633 ft
Descent
3,019 ft
High Point

Riding the perimeter of Cholla and Granite

Detailed Description
Brown’s Ranch is a 10 mile popular intermediate route located near Scottsdale Arizona. This mountain bike only route. This route includes 24 trails. This route climbs 699 ft with a max elevation of 3,019 ft then descends -633 ft.
Local Trail Association
Local trail association
Desert Foothills Mountain Bike Association (www.dfmba.org)
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28 Reviews & Comments

  • + 1
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]
  • + 1
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]
  • + 1
Kathrynh (Dec 9, 2020 at 19:03)
Trail Whiskey Bottle
I agree that the eastern portion should be rated blue due to the exposure and chunky while climbing - I definitely would not tell a beginner to ride from Fraesfield TH to Dixileta
[Reply]
  • + 0
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]
  • + 0
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]
  • + 0
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]
  • + 0
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]
  • + 0
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]
  • + 0
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]
  • + 1
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]
  • + 0
ThatGuy-MTB (Apr 3, 2020 at 17:58)
Trail Brown's Ranch Rd.
Easy entrance trail that links to many of the trails in this system. Can get pretty congested here so check your speed for sure.
[Reply]
  • - 1
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]
  • + 1
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]
  • + 0
STGDSS92 (Dec 18, 2018 at 16:50)
Trail Cholla Mtn. Loop
Great trail, some tight switchbacks with no room for error (unless you want to wipe out into a cholla) will make you keep your speed in check. Still pretty suitable for beginners, some of the most beautiful views come from this trail in my opinion.
[Reply]
  • + 0
STGDSS92 (Dec 18, 2018 at 16:50)
Trail Cholla Mtn. Loop
Great trail, some tight switchbacks with no room for error (unless you want to wipe out into a cholla) will make you keep your speed in check. Still pretty suitable for beginners, some of the most beautiful views come from this trail in my opinion.
[Reply]
  • + 1
STGDSS92 (Dec 12, 2018 at 10:48)
Trail Whiskey Bottle
Some rock gardens on the eastern portion of the trail when it rides along a mountain ridge. Also a very small creek crossing after recent heavy rains. I would give the eastern portion of it a more intermediate rating.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Dcrighton (Sep 11, 2018 at 21:32)
Trail Cholla Mtn. Loop
Good fun as a downhill (North to South). Easy trail with fast section and a few slow corners chill out at cathedral rock to visit with other riders.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Dcrighton (Sep 11, 2018 at 21:32)
Trail Cholla Mtn. Loop
Good fun as a downhill (North to South). Easy trail with fast section and a few slow corners chill out at cathedral rock to visit with other riders.
[Reply]
  • + 0
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]
  • + 0
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]
  • + 1
Scooter1969 (Dec 19, 2016 at 23:01)
Trail Whiskey Bottle
East to west is great climb
[Reply]
  • + 1
Scooter1969 (Dec 19, 2016 at 22:34)
Trail Dry Gulch Trail
Sandy and uphill west to east
[Reply]
  • + 1
DrHog (Jan 30, 2015 at 21:50)
Trail Cholla Mtn. Loop
Great stuff--twisty and fairly smooth with gradual pitch. Can be ridden either direction. Cholla Mtn scenery is gorgeous.
[Reply]
  • + 1
DrHog (Jan 30, 2015 at 21:49)
Trail Cholla Mtn. Loop
Great stuff--twisty and fairly smooth with gradual pitch. Can be ridden either direction. Cholla Mtn scenery is gorgeous.
[Reply]
  • + 1
DrHog (Jan 30, 2015 at 21:49)
Trail Cholla Mtn. Loop
Great stuff--twisty and fairly smooth with gradual pitch. Can be ridden either direction. Cholla Mtn scenery is gorgeous.
[Reply]
  • + 1
DrHog (Nov 29, 2014 at 21:08)
Trail Granite Mtn. Loop
This is a gorgeous trail, and pretty easy for beginners and kids.
[Reply]
  • + 1
DrHog (Nov 29, 2014 at 21:08)
Trail Granite Mtn. Loop
This is a gorgeous trail, and pretty easy for beginners and kids.
[Reply]
  • + 1
DrHog (Nov 29, 2014 at 21:07)
Trail Granite Mtn. Loop
This is a gorgeous trail, and pretty easy for beginners and kids.
[Reply]





Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
    Brown's Ranch
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Blue
  • Ridelogs
    34
More Stats for Brown’s Ranch mountain bike route
  • Altitude change
    66 ft
  • Altitude min
    2,700 ft
  • Altitude start
    2,714 ft
  • Altitude end
    2,779 ft
  • Grade
    0.1%
  • Grade max
    -14.7%
  • Grade min
    20%
  • Distance climb
    4 miles
  • Distance down
    4 miles
  • Distance flat
    3 miles
Avg: 4 (1 votes)
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3D
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Photos

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Brown's Ranch | Post crash, the knee still...
Brown's Ranch | Post crash, the knee still works! | 02/01/2020
5:45 | 363 | comments: 0 | favs:
Feb 2, 2020
Brown's Ranch | Post crash, the knee still...
Brown's Ranch | Post crash, the knee still works! | 02/01/2020
5:45 | 178 | comments: 0 | favs:
Feb 2, 2020

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Granite Mtn. Loop
Feb 1, 2023 @ 6:19am
1 day
Balanced Rock Trail
Jan 31, 2023 @ 10:19pm
2 days
Cholla Mtn. Loop
Jan 28, 2023 @ 6:16am
Jan 28, 2023
Granite Mtn. Loop
Jan 27, 2023 @ 10:16pm
Jan 27, 2023
Granite Mtn. Loop
Jan 27, 2023 @ 10:16pm
Jan 27, 2023
more reports »
  • By JenGustafson & contributors
  • #10502 - 2,484 views