Brown Canyon Trail leads into a scenic little canyon with good views and high desert vegetation. A spur trail, the Pomona Mine Trail, leads to an old tungsten mine while the Brown Canyon Trail continues into Ramsey Canyon. Brown Canyon is a relatively shallow, open canyon carved among rolling hills covered with grass, oak, and manzanita. Its upper reaches provide excellent views of the sheer cliffs of the Dragoon Mountains' western face. Other sights include the Chiricahuas in the distance to the east and the Whetstones and Galiuros to the north.
Some people use this trail as an alternate route into beautiful, bird-filled Ramsey Canyon. Using this route means you don't have to park at the Nature Conservancy's Ramsey Canyon Preserve visitor center. Where you'll be turned away if you didn't remember to get the required parking reservation in advance. Brown Canyon Trail can also be combined with the Hamburg Trail #122 in Ramsey Canyon to make a fine day trip loop. If you walk the 1.5 miles of road between the Brown Canyon Trailhead and the Ramsey Canyon Visitor Center, no shuttle is required. You will need a permit to cross Nature Conservancy property on the Hamburg Trail, and you'll have to leave your horse at home. No horses are permitted in the Preserve. The best direction in which to travel this loop is up Ramsey Canyon and back down Brown Canyon.
remove free decal offer
Another feature to visit along this trail is the old Pomona Mine high on Scheelite Ridge. A side trip of 1.4 miles will take you to the remains of that old tungsten mine and more fine vistas.
When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example.
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Permit $$
None
Coronado Forest MVUMs are rarely necessary to review unless mentioned in the description or directions Coronado Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs)
Directions
Road
FR / Jeep Road - Car possible when dry
To Brown Canyon (arbitrary/unofficial) Trailhead Drive 6 miles south of Sierra Vista on AZ Highway 92 to Ramsey Canyon Road. Follow Ramsey Canyon Road 2.1 miles to a wire gate on the right (north) side of the road. Park here (adds another 0.4 mile onto trail) and follow the two-track road north and west into Brown Canyon where it becomes the Brown Canyon Trail. There is no marker or sign here.
From PHX (I-10 & AZ-51) 194 mi - about 3 hours 8 mins From TUC (Jct 1-10 & Grant) 84.7 mi - about 1 hour 33 mins From FLG (Jct I-17 & I-40) 338 mi - about 5 hours 14 mins (Trailhead is generic)