Brown Peak (West Approach) – Death Valley National Park

  This is a Rumored Hike. Wayfinding may be required or the route or features may not exist. Travel at your own risk and always obey signs and local regulations.
  This is not a Verified Hike and has been provided for your convenience. While the information here has been thoroughly researched, travel at your own risk and follow signs, regulations, and the trail over the information presented here.
Schwab Townsite, Death Valley National Park, California
Schwab Townsite, Death Valley National Park, California
Schwab Townsite, Death Valley National Park, California
Schwab Townsite, Death Valley National Park, California
Brown Peak (West Approach) 1
Brown Peak (West Approach)
Location map for roads and hikes in Death Valley National Park such as Gold Valley, Deadman Pass, Smith Mountain, and Brown Peak
Brown Peak (West Approach) 1
Brown Peak (West Approach)
Location map for roads and hikes in Death Valley National Park such as Gold Valley, Deadman Pass, Smith Mountain, and Brown Peak
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Brown Peak, Death Valley National Park, California
Brown Peak, Death Valley National Park, California
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Scramble up an unassuming but very pretty peak to fantastic views of the surrounding area.

Total Distance: 6.2 miles out & backElevation Gain: 2,491ft. (2,976ft. to 4,949ft.)
Difficulty: Strenuous5-10 Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous
View Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 starsAuthor’s Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars
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Pets: NoHorses: Yes
Best Seasons: November-AprilSpecial Permits: None
Water Availability: NoneOvernight Options: Yes
Trailhead Amenities: NoneCrowd Factor: Solitude
Trailhead Access: 2.0 (4×4 required)
Uses: Day hiker icon Backpackers Icon Horses Permitted Icon No Dogs IconTrail Surface: Dirt Trail Surface Icon Gravel Trail Surface Icon Scramble Class 3 Icon Off Trail Surface Icon
Features: Views Trail Feature Icon Colorful Rocks Trail Feature Icon Point of Interest Trail Feature IconHazards: No Water Icon Vague Trail Hazard Icon Scramble Class 3 Icon Off Trail Surface Icon Hot Day Icon Thunderstorms Hazard Icon Cliff Edge Hazard Icon
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Mile-by-Mile: Brown Peak (West Approach)

0.0 Approximate Trailhead on the Deadman Pass Road (2,989ft.). You should be able to park anywhere in this general area and then head just to the right of a small, darker hill at the base of the mountains. There is no trail, though you may see evidence of hikers before you. The route heads generally west and slightly south. At the base of the dark lumpy hill, turn south up the wash around the hill. (36.122307°, -116.431040°)

1.3 Begin up into the hills (3,138ft.). From this point, look up into the hills. You should be able to see Brown Peak as the highest point to the west. Ascend the hillside to your left (heading for Brown Peak) up to a small saddle, then drop down into a major drainage straight ahead (to the east). Walk up the drainage, heading for colorful hills, and then leave the drainage (by scrambling up the hill on the left) shortly before encountering a dryfall. Continue upward, heading for a cliffy outcrop, and wrap around to the east (right) side of a cliffy peak to reach a saddle. Once in the saddle, walk east to scramble up the hillside (up to Class 3) to the top of Brown Peak. (36.117924°, -116.409950°)

3.1 Top of Brown Peak (4.949ft.). The top of the peak is flat, but the benchmark (Evelyn) is located along the western side. Enjoy far-ranging views, including west across Greenwater Valley and the east side of the Black Mountains (even to Telescope Peak in the Panamint Range), Eagle Mountain and the Amargosa Desert to the northeast, and south across Greenwater Valley and the Greenwater Range to the Dublin Hills, Ibex Hills, and more.(36.115157°, -116.385679°)

History & More

There are two routes up Brown Peak – one from Deadman Pass Road (West Approach) and another from CA-127 (East Approach). The West Approach is shorter and more interesting, but the East Approach is more accessible and therefore slightly more popular.

The route requires a significant amount of finding your own trail. Don’t attempt it unless you’re very used to hiking without a trail in the desert.

The map of the route is approximate – please use common sense and don’t follow the map or directions at the expense of your safety!

Brown Peak is named after Charles G. Brown, who first settled in the region in the nearby town of Brownsville. The town itself was planted by two early prospectors, William D. Brown and Robert D. Brown, brothers on their way to fame with their 1875 rich strike named Balance. Despite similar surnames, there seems to be no connection between the Brown Brothers and Charles G. Brown. In 1877, the town was renamed Tecopa after a local Pauite leader.

Charles G. Brown moved from Brownsville to Greenwater. After moving to Shoshone, he was elected sheriff. Politics did him much better than prospecting, and he served as a California state senator for 25 years. The peak was named in his honor, as was CA-127 (the Charles Brown Highway).

Download Route Map

Driving Directions

Take the Deadman Pass Road 6.5 miles from the Greenwater Valley Road or 6.9 miles from CA-127 (this is on the east side of Deadman Pass). Park far enough off the road to allow traffic to pass by your vehicle.

Additional Warnings & RegulationsSpecial Permits & RegulationsFees
Camping is not allowed within one mile of a paved road, developed area, or dirt road that is closed to camping.
Camping is not permitted within 100 feet of a flowing stream, spring, or other natural body of open water.
No camping is permitted on the floor of Death Valley, within one mile of Darwin Falls and Greenwater Canyon, on the active/shifting sand dunes, and certain other canyons and backcountry areas.
Camping is also prohibited within one mile of the Ubehebe Lead Mine, Leadfield Mines, Keane Wonder Mill, and Skidoo Mill.
Camping is limited to 30 days per calendar year within the park.
Fires are permitted in NPS-provided fire grates or grills ONLY.
Remember to take food & water!
Leave No Trace Principles are enforced
Drones and model aircrafts are prohibited
Camping is permitted only in designated sites or in areas open to dispersed backcountry camping
All park rules and regulations
7 Day Pass: $30/private vehicle. $25/motorcycle. $15/individual (bicycle or on foot).
12 Month Pass: $55/Death Valley Annual Pass (valid at Death Valley National Park). $80/America the Beautiful Annual Pass (valid at all national park and federal fee areas). $20/Annual Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/4th Grade Pass (Valid Sept. 1-August 31 of the child’s 4th Grade school year). Free/Military Pass (valid for all active military personel and their dependents with a CAC Card or DD Form 1173).
Lifetime Pass: $80/Lifetime Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/Access Pass (available to all US citizens with perminent disabilities). Free/Access for Veterans and Gold Star Families Pass (valid for all military and veterans with a CAC card, Veteran HJealth Identification Card, Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on state-issued drivers license or identification card.)