The recommended route wraps around the base of the mountain to reach the northwestern end of the ridge. You'll then climb onto the ridge and traverse up and down the several small summits on your way back to the trailhead. The singletrack along the base is narrow and twisty, ducking beneath towering saguaro cacti and through the beautiful undergrowth that has made the Sonoran Desert so famous.

As you climb toward the top of Brown Mountain, you'll enjoy expansive views of the Tucson Mountains all around you. Despite being located right on the edge of the second-largest city in Arizona, this small mountain range is protected by Tucson Mountain Park and Saguaro National Park. While Brown Mountain isn't technically inside the national park, the western section of Saguaro National Park begins just to the north and is visible from the entire route.

The final descent off the mountain is steep and technical, dropping through a series of tight, rocky switchbacks that will challenge most mountain bikers. If you haven't figured it out by now, you'll soon realize that Brown Mountain is most ideal as a hiking or trail running route… but the views and the location of this short ride still make it a desirable objective for mountain bike riders.

Once off the mountain, it's a short pedal back to the trailhead. The route mapped here only measures a mere 4.6 miles long, but it can be extended with other connecting trails. One option for additional mileage is to park at the San Juaquin trailhead, but this just increases the length of the mild approach trail. It is even possible to connect to the Starr Pass Loop if you’re looking for an epic all-day ride.