Started the hike at 7AM from Cheney Rd and made good progress to Tom Sloan Saddle. Only a few people on the trail, and beyond Dawn Mine, I didn't meet a single soul until back down on the fire road. From Tom Sloan on, the trail becomes faint and hard to follow. Spanish Bajonets everywhere, so you need to watch your every step. After the false summits, I reached the top with some great views- from Palos Verdes to San Jacinto. The temperature had reached mid 90s by then and the descent became very hard. Slippery slopes, more yuccas and the constant search for traces of the trail. By the time I reached the fire road, I was already very tired from the bushwhacking, but there were another 5.5 miles ahead. Poles are a must for the off trail portion. Be prepared for this hike, it is a lot more intense than it seems at first sight.
IronHiker - Aug 2, 2015 10:17 pm Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2014
with Bear Canyon
Red Box to Brown, down Bear Canyon to Switzer.
Johnnifer - Jan 20, 2015 12:40 pm Date Climbed: Jan 19, 2015
Loop from Millard CG
Trail climbing out of Millard Canyon to Tom Sloan Saddle in bad condition. Hard to find, but very followable for lower portion. Trail later disappears into steep use trail until TS Saddle. Trail going west from here in very good condition, not overgrown. Took southwest ridge from Brown Mtn to hit Brown Fire Road. Not the path John Robinson describes, but heavily used and followable despite overgrown and steep.
cab - Nov 19, 2012 11:50 am Date Climbed: Nov 17, 2012
From Lake Ave.
Last peak of the day after Echo Mtn. and Muir Peak. It rained for much of the way between Muir Peak and Brown Mountain which pretty much soaked me to the bone and covered up any views to be had. At least it wasn't too cold.
johnm - Jul 15, 2012 8:05 am Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2012
Via Lower Sam Merrill to Castle Canyon
Went up Lower Sam Merrill to Castle Canyon reaching Inspiration Point. Then took the Mt. Lowe Road to the the Bear Canyon Trail. Roughly 18 miles roundtrip. Been on my list for awhile and didn't disappoint.
orbitor - Apr 5, 2012 6:29 pm Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2009
From Switzer via Tom Sloan Saddle
Foggy day, no views from summit but great workout nonetheless.
Ze - Dec 29, 2008 5:38 pm Date Climbed: Dec 20, 2008
Modified Brown Mtn Loop
started on ACH, up Ken Burton, down Bear Canyon, back via arroyo seco, about 14 miles
bechtt - Dec 29, 2008 12:38 am Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2008
Nice loop
Inspired by JMunaretto's trip report. The shortcut down to Oakwilde Campground starts 1.1 miles past the Visitor Center at the beginning of the ACH. From there it's up Brown's NW ridge via the Ken Burton trail and the firebreak and then down to the Tom Sloan saddle via the East Ridge. Returned via the amazing Bear Creek trail.
Brown Mountain has been on my list for quite some time. Finally hiked up the east ridge from Eaton Saddle. Great views from the top.
mdougherty - Apr 22, 2008 5:39 pm Date Climbed: Mar 29, 2008
Via Millard Canyon
Nice early spring hike. Went up Millard Canyon from Sunset Ridge then down the northwest ridge and back on the fire road. Mostly overcast but fun nonetheless.
mdash - Feb 21, 2008 3:21 am Date Climbed: Jan 1, 2008
From Eaton Saddle
Recovering from the flu, so hardly ran at all. To avoid the New Year's Day festivities in Pasadena (parade, traffic, detours), went up from Eaton Saddle. Beautiful day--great start to the year!
BLT - Aug 16, 2007 9:09 pm Date Climbed: Apr 17, 2005
Up Millard, down fire road
Did the big loop up Millard Canyon and down the west ridge to the fire road. Brown is a great little mountain that very few people bother to walk up. It's their loss!
Vic Hanson - Aug 14, 2007 10:21 pm Date Climbed: Mar 12, 2008
Via Millard Canyon
Back in CA for a few weeks and just did this hike again. Millard Canyon was beautiful. Have done both the fire road and the route up Millard Canyon past Dawn Mine to Tom Sloan Saddle, which is my favorite.
David Rosenberg - Mar 28, 2007 5:31 am Date Climbed: Mar 25, 2007
Finally did this one
Have never gotten around to this one. Did it from Eaton Saddle in just over three hours.
Travis_ - Oct 9, 2006 2:29 am Date Climbed: Feb 5, 2006
Brown Mnt. Via Millard Canyon
A great hike up Millard canyon and a scramble down the northwest ridge to the fire road for a great loop.
I always enjoy climbing Brown Mountain because of its ridge routes. I've climbed it several times from the various trailheads giving you access: Millard Canyon Campground, Sunset Ridge, Eaton Saddle, and Switzer Picnic Area. It's fun to do a loop going up the east ridge and descending the northwest ridge or vice versa.
Altapeak - Jul 29, 2020 2:39 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2020
long hikeStarted the hike at 7AM from Cheney Rd and made good progress to Tom Sloan Saddle. Only a few people on the trail, and beyond Dawn Mine, I didn't meet a single soul until back down on the fire road. From Tom Sloan on, the trail becomes faint and hard to follow. Spanish Bajonets everywhere, so you need to watch your every step. After the false summits, I reached the top with some great views- from Palos Verdes to San Jacinto. The temperature had reached mid 90s by then and the descent became very hard. Slippery slopes, more yuccas and the constant search for traces of the trail. By the time I reached the fire road, I was already very tired from the bushwhacking, but there were another 5.5 miles ahead. Poles are a must for the off trail portion. Be prepared for this hike, it is a lot more intense than it seems at first sight.
IronHiker - Aug 2, 2015 10:17 pm Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2014
with Bear CanyonRed Box to Brown, down Bear Canyon to Switzer.
Johnnifer - Jan 20, 2015 12:40 pm Date Climbed: Jan 19, 2015
Loop from Millard CGTrail climbing out of Millard Canyon to Tom Sloan Saddle in bad condition. Hard to find, but very followable for lower portion. Trail later disappears into steep use trail until TS Saddle. Trail going west from here in very good condition, not overgrown. Took southwest ridge from Brown Mtn to hit Brown Fire Road. Not the path John Robinson describes, but heavily used and followable despite overgrown and steep.
cab - Nov 19, 2012 11:50 am Date Climbed: Nov 17, 2012
From Lake Ave.Last peak of the day after Echo Mtn. and Muir Peak. It rained for much of the way between Muir Peak and Brown Mountain which pretty much soaked me to the bone and covered up any views to be had. At least it wasn't too cold.
johnm - Jul 15, 2012 8:05 am Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2012
Via Lower Sam Merrill to Castle CanyonWent up Lower Sam Merrill to Castle Canyon reaching Inspiration Point. Then took the Mt. Lowe Road to the the Bear Canyon Trail. Roughly 18 miles roundtrip. Been on my list for awhile and didn't disappoint.
orbitor - Apr 5, 2012 6:29 pm Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2009
From Switzer via Tom Sloan SaddleFoggy day, no views from summit but great workout nonetheless.
Ze - Dec 29, 2008 5:38 pm Date Climbed: Dec 20, 2008
Modified Brown Mtn Loopstarted on ACH, up Ken Burton, down Bear Canyon, back via arroyo seco, about 14 miles
bechtt - Dec 29, 2008 12:38 am Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2008
Nice loopInspired by JMunaretto's trip report. The shortcut down to Oakwilde Campground starts 1.1 miles past the Visitor Center at the beginning of the ACH. From there it's up Brown's NW ridge via the Ken Burton trail and the firebreak and then down to the Tom Sloan saddle via the East Ridge. Returned via the amazing Bear Creek trail.
SoCalHiker - Apr 30, 2008 4:07 pm Date Climbed: Apr 27, 2008
East Ridge from Eaton SaddleBrown Mountain has been on my list for quite some time. Finally hiked up the east ridge from Eaton Saddle. Great views from the top.
mdougherty - Apr 22, 2008 5:39 pm Date Climbed: Mar 29, 2008
Via Millard CanyonNice early spring hike. Went up Millard Canyon from Sunset Ridge then down the northwest ridge and back on the fire road. Mostly overcast but fun nonetheless.
mdash - Feb 21, 2008 3:21 am Date Climbed: Jan 1, 2008
From Eaton SaddleRecovering from the flu, so hardly ran at all. To avoid the New Year's Day festivities in Pasadena (parade, traffic, detours), went up from Eaton Saddle. Beautiful day--great start to the year!
BLT - Aug 16, 2007 9:09 pm Date Climbed: Apr 17, 2005
Up Millard, down fire roadDid the big loop up Millard Canyon and down the west ridge to the fire road. Brown is a great little mountain that very few people bother to walk up. It's their loss!
Vic Hanson - Aug 14, 2007 10:21 pm Date Climbed: Mar 12, 2008
Via Millard CanyonBack in CA for a few weeks and just did this hike again. Millard Canyon was beautiful. Have done both the fire road and the route up Millard Canyon past Dawn Mine to Tom Sloan Saddle, which is my favorite.
David Rosenberg - Mar 28, 2007 5:31 am Date Climbed: Mar 25, 2007
Finally did this oneHave never gotten around to this one. Did it from Eaton Saddle in just over three hours.
Travis_ - Oct 9, 2006 2:29 am Date Climbed: Feb 5, 2006
Brown Mnt. Via Millard CanyonA great hike up Millard canyon and a scramble down the northwest ridge to the fire road for a great loop.
Augie Medina - Oct 2, 2006 11:58 pm
Climbed From Various TrailheadsI always enjoy climbing Brown Mountain because of its ridge routes. I've climbed it several times from the various trailheads giving you access: Millard Canyon Campground, Sunset Ridge, Eaton Saddle, and Switzer Picnic Area. It's fun to do a loop going up the east ridge and descending the northwest ridge or vice versa.