Trip Report
28 April 2019
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Four Peaks from Bush Highway |
It has been years since yours truly scrambled up Browns Peak with Hoss Rogers (in the early '80s). So when Joe Tansill sent a link suggesting this as our next hike, we put it right on the calendar!
Browns Peak is the northern and tallest (7657ft) of the 'Four Peaks' formation east of Phoenix. Its prominence and visibility from many vantage points in the valley make it a great objective. It is part of the Mazatzal Mountains in the Tonto National Forest and the trailhead can be reached in a few hours (and 11 or 20 miles of primitive road) from Phoenix.
Here is our report:
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Browns Peak from the El Oso Road approach |
We selected 28 April for our summit push. Local hike reports indicated the snow had cleared from the 'chute' and the roads were open to the trailhead. Michael and Jacob decided to the join the old men for this one and we pushed out from the Tansill HQ at 0630. We opted for the eastern approach along El Oso road, 11 miles of primitive road vs. the 20 miles from AZ 87, but it adds another 50 highway miles each way to loop through Jakes Corner and Tonto Basin.
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Steve and Michael Atkins, Joe and Jacob Tansill |
We arrived at the trailhead at about 0900 and with only day packs to sort out, we were quickly on the trail. There are two ways to reach the saddle where the climbing begins, both are well marked. We chose Browns Trail No. 133 since it is the most direct and follows the ridge line, providing great views to the east and west.
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It took a minute to sort this out! |
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Nearing the saddle on Browns Peak Trail |
We reached the saddle about 0945 and took a long break to enjoy the great views and some trail snacks. Another group of hikers pass through and started their way up the trail. We took some extra time to let them get a head start before we started up the trail.
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Jacob and Michael with the 'chute' clearly visible |
The route follows the prow of the peak to the rocky scramble section in the obvious chute. The climbing is easy class 2-3, but there are plenty of loose rocks and random cactus outcroppings, so we took our time and enjoyed the climb!
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Joe and Michael in the chute |
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Jacob gives the route a full thumbs up! |
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Michael enjoying the huge hand holds! |
There are 2 or 3 interesting rock climbing moves, all easy on solid rock and only slightly exposed. However, as we reached the last move before the scramble to the top, one member of a group in front of us had decided this was high enough and was waiting in the shade for her group to return!
We played through and soon found ourselves on final scramble to the summit.
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Team Tansill |
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Team Atkins |
We reached the top and there was a 'crowd' of about 6-8 climbers from two groups that were ahead of us on the trail. They cleared out shortly after our arrival and we had the peak to ourselves, for a little while!
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The two groups that were in front of us at the Summit. |
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USGS Pin (Marker was lost) at 7657 feet |
When USGS (United States Geologic Survey) maps include an exact elevation printed in black, it usually means that a exact survey was taken. One of the trip reports we reviewed stated that the survey pin was in the rock at the summit. Once the other hikers cleared the summit, we found it!
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Group shot at the summit |
Another pair of climbers arrives and we exchange phones for summit shots. The view from the top was fantastic. To the north, Mt. Ord and Mazatzal Peak, to the east, Roosevelt Lake, to the south, Globe, the Superior Mines, and the Superstition Wilderness, to the west, San Tan Valley, Phoenix, Fountain hills, and the Salt and Verde Rivers and lakes.
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Looking south toward the other three Peaks |
From a distance, it looks like it should be easy to 'bag' all four peaks. The second peak can be reached through a rough scramble, but peaks 3 and 4 are separated by some steep drops, and full day with lots of bush whacking would be require for that objective; not today!
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Jacob at the crux move, Joe and Michael on the down climb |
What's the best way to descend a scramble? The same way you go up, facing the rock. Many climbers make the mistake of heading down on their rear end. Jacob and the team show their down climbing form on the crux section of the route!
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Jacob on the descent |
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One last airy section to clear |
Exiting the chute there is an opportunity to scramble over a rock formation in lieu of a loose scree trail, we took that route both ways and were glad we did.
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Trail back to the saddle |
Exiting the chute, its back on the steep 'trail' back to the saddle to regroup and enjoy some trail snacks.
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Post climb snacks! |
After a nice break at the saddle, its about an hour hike to the trailhead and we reach it at 1400, pile into the truck and head down El Oso Road to Jakes Corner for lunch and refreshment!
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The real reason we took the long way! |
Just a few miles off AZ 87 is Jakes Corner. Easily missed in a blink of an eye, this small hamlet includes a grocery and a bar. Having ridden by several times on the bike, but never stopping in, this was another reason to take the El Oso Road route. Even though the sign says "Bikers Welcome," its more leather than Lycra, no worries for us, these four scruffy hikers fit right in and it did not disappoint!
Steve Atkins
Click here for all the photos
Clink here for a hike link with more information
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