Brown Mountain Trail #1005

The Brown Mountain Trail is 6.8 miles in length and runs from the junction with High Lakes Trail #6200 on the Fremont-Winema National Forests to Forest Road 3705 on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. This guide describes only the 5.3 miles on Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

This section of the Brown Mountain Trail is a delightful hike, mountain bike, or horseback ride along the southern flanks of Brown Mountain. Passing through a shaded old growth forest, the trail offers opportunities for Morel mushroom hunting in the late spring; shade loving wildflowers such as orchids and trilliums, blanket the forest floor in early summer; good huckleberry picking in late summer; and brilliant fall colors.

Beginning on Forest Road 3705, the trail follows the South Fork of Little Butte Creek. At 1.5 miles the trail crosses road 500 and continues through the forest along the creek, which now becomes swampy and abound with willows. At 2.5 miles you cross Forest Road 560 and at 2.9 miles you cross the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. Mountain bikes are prohibited on Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. While the trail skirts the massive lava flows of Brown Mountain, the mountain is almost hidden by the forest. Between 3.6 and 3.9 miles the mountain and lava flows can be viewed through the trees. At 5.2 miles the trail forks: the trail to the left continues to High Lakes Trail (1.5 miles). Follow the trail to the right 0.1 miles to road 3640. Water sources are untested and considered unsafe to drink.

At a Glance