Hiking, Biking & Trail Guide - 31

RECOMMENDED HIKES
JANE RAU INTERPRETIVE TRAIL
This trail is named after Jane Rau, one of the original advocates for the creation of
the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, and a founding member of the McDowell Sonoran
Conservancy. Interpretive signs along the trail provide information about the flora and
fauna of the area and the human history of the Preserve.
Route: The Jane Rau Trail loop begins on the eastern side of the trailhead complex.
LENGTH:
ELEVATION CHANGE:
DI FFICULTY:
USE:
0.5mi / 0.8km (loop)
37ft / 11.2m
m Easiest / ADA Accessible
Hiking, walking, wheelchairs, strollers
BROWN'S MOUNTAIN LOOP
From the summit of Brown's Mountain, you'll enjoy a 360-degree view of the beautiful
upper Sonoran Desert. To the north you'll see remnants of Brown's Ranch, which was a
working cattle ranch from the early 1900s through the 1970s.
Route: From the trailhead, head north on Brown's Ranch Road approximately 0.7mi (1.1km) and turn
left on the Brown's Mountain Trail. From the summit, continue west on the Brown's Mountain Trail to
the Upper Ranch Trail and turn left. From that juncture, it is approximately 2.0mi (3.21km) back to
the trailhead. For a shorter hike, simply return from the summit the way you came and deduct 1.3mi
(2.1km) from the length given below.
LENGTH:
ELEVATION CHANGE:
DI FFICULTY:
USE:
3.9mi / 6.3km
500ft / 152.4m
n Moderate
Hiking, biking, horseback riding
CHOLLA MOUNTAIN LOOP
There's plenty to see on this moderately challenging hike, from the site of the historic
Brown's Ranch to the Amphitheater and Cathedral Rock formations. At Cathedral Rock,
look for the indentations in the bedrock, known as metates, where Native Americans
ground mesquite pods into flour.
Route: From the trailhead, proceed north on the Brown's Ranch Road Trail approximately 1.3mi (2.1km)
to the junction of the Corral Trail. Turn right and head east on the Corral Trail. After roughly 0.75mi
(1.2km), turn right on the Dry Gulch Trail and follow that to the Cholla Mountain Loop Trail. You can go
left or right on this 3.1mi (5.0km) loop and return to the junction of the Dry Gulch Trail. From that point,
retrace your path back to the trailhead.
LENGTH:
ELEVATION CHANGE:
DI FFICULTY:
USE:
8.7mi / 14.0km
300ft / 91.4m
n Moderate
Hiking, biking, horseback riding
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