Beginners **ONLY** Tucson Mt Park - Brown Mt Wash

Length: 4.0 mi out and back
Elev gain: 260'

• Rating: D - Beginners ONLY
  **Dogs are not permitted (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Pima_County_Park_Rules.pdf) in Tucson Mt Park

Hike starts at 10:30

Note: BOLD text are links.

If you are new to hiking or new to the Tucson/Sonoran Desert area this is a hike for you.

Trail head location:
Brown Mountain Picnic Area, North Kinney Road (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211151916971589136864.0004d5edddb33dc2f1674&msa=0&ll=32.227778,-111.141214&spn=0.009548,0.01929&t=p) at Google maps.
Park in the picnic site with the tree circle.
You may need to park on the side of the road.

There is an overview of the trail here. (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=204342531586662413949.0004ee4a2d03b584c84d3&msa=0&ll=32.234693,-111.15396&spn=0.020619,0.038581&t=p)

Google map directions to the trail head location are here. (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211151916971589136864.0004d5edba22ddf29d1ec&msa=0&ll=32.280747,-111.055298&spn=0.152676,0.308647&t=p)

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Location:

Just to the west of I-10 and south of the Western Distinct of Saguaro National Park lies the 20,000 acre Tucson Mountain Park (http://webcms.pima.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=21269).

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/d/4/event_205742772.jpeg

The Park was established in April of 1929 by then Pima County Parks Commissioner C. B. Brown. Along with many miles of open, flat to rolling hikes in Tucson Mountain Park is the hike up to the 3098' summit of Brown Mountain.

The Hike:

This hike, which utilizes part of the popular Brown Mt Loop trail (https://www.meetup.com/tucsonhiking/events/156310302/), starts at the picnic area, drops into the wash and meanders back and forth across the wash the entire length of this hike. This is a very pleasant walk through some classic Sonoran desert. We will see many fine specimens of Saguaro and some interesting geology as well. This section of the trail is flanked by Brown Mountain on the south and main range of the Tucson Mts to the North.

At two miles we arrive at the Juan Santa Cruz Picnic Area (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211151916971589136864.0004d5ee4612b9cf71f6a&msa=0&ll=32.232551,-111.151342&spn=0.038189,0.077162&t=p) for a rest stop and snack before returning to our starting point. There is drinking water and rest rooms at this picnic area.

This hike will provide some great views of the Tucson Mountains to the north, including the Red Rock area of the Western District of Saguaro National Park .

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/9/0/event_205743472.jpeg

Add to that the ever present beauty of typical Sonoran Desert vegetation: Palo Verde, Beaver-tail cactus, Cholla and some really big Saguaros and it all adds up to a great way to see a lot in a short hike.

There is is Tucson Mt Park map here (http://files.meetup.com/372195/TucMtPark_Hike-Map_11x17.pdf).
There is a trail map here (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=204342531586662413949.0004ee4a2d03b584c84d3&msa=0&t=p).

Be sure to bring adequate water and snacks.

As always - Hike at Your Own Risk

If you are new to the group please visit these links:

About the Tucson Hiking Meetup Group (https://www.meetup.com/tucsonhiking/about/)
Tucson Hiking Meetup Group - No Show Policy (http://files.meetup.com/372195/No%20Show%20Policy.pdf)
Tips for Beginning Hikers - Sierra Club (http://arizona.sierraclub.org/trail_guide/hikingtips.htm)
Hike Rating Scale (http://files.meetup.com/372195/Hike%20Rating%20Scale.pdf)

If you have questions or need to reach me:
Cell: 304.290.8066
WV-Mike (https://www.meetup.com/tucsonhiking/members/13110160/)