Walking Wild & Free

Brown Peak (West Approach) 1

Brown Peak (West Approach)

Brown Peak (West Approach) 1

Brown Peak (West Approach)

Scramble up an unassuming but very pretty peak to fantastic views of the surrounding area.

Total Distance: 6.2 miles out & back	Elevation Gain: 2,491ft. (2,976ft. to 4,949ft.)
Difficulty: Strenuous	5-10 Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous
View Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0	Author’s Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars3.0
Visitor Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0]	Visitor Difficulty Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0]
Pets: No	Horses: Yes
Best Seasons: November-April	Special Permits: None
Water Availability: None	Overnight Options: Yes
Trailhead Amenities: None	Crowd Factor: Solitude
Trailhead Access: 2.0 (4×4 required)
Uses:	Trail Surface:
Features:	Hazards:

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.