Four Peaks (Brown’s Peak)

Located about 50 miles east of Phoenix, each of the four peaks can be enjoyed at nearly every vantage point in the MetroPhoenix area.

Disclaimer: I am still fairly new to photography and learning the minute details of my camera(Canon Rebel 6); unfortunately I brought the wrong lens. Majority of these photos were taken on my smartphone.

Background:

Our journey began in March of 2016 and this was my first experience with this hike.

Could not ask for better weather. Direct sunlight was blocked by the overcast conditions, which also allowed for stunning images during the descent. Although the wind was dangerously intense at the top, the mountain seemed to give us coverage on the trial.

The drive to the trail head was the most time consuming aspect of this expedition. It is entirely fire road but coming from the west is definitely more treacherous and time consuming than driving the extra 15 miles to approach the trail head from the east. Still have to drive on dirt, but that road is maintained much better.

Trail

Beginning: Fairly easy with a steady incline. Begins at a saddle back on the north side and continues around the backside to reveal an incredible view towards the east; a view usually hidden by the four peaks. Lake Roosevelt is visible for majority of beginning.

• The last half mile is a nearly vertical climb on rock fall
• At some points it is required to free climb
• Majority of the rocks are not stable!

Summit

Unfortunately, because of the lens, I could not get a wide enough shot with my camera. But in my attempt to get the three peaks in same shot, while carefully navigating as far back on the peak as possible, without testing my luck against strong gusts of wind or a loose rock, I heard the flamboyant singing of a nearby bird. I turned to the west and there it was; I quickly focused my camera to grab a picture, but it was gone within seconds. Nothing special about the photo, but the black head, white spots of the back, and orange belly can easily be identified. Also, its the only one I got. I later did some research and found out it is a Black-headed Grosbeak.

Descent

In our hasty decent, we carelessly continued west too far down the rock fall and passed the intersection where the trail turns north back to the trail-head. Fortunately the error was realized before too much sunlight was wasted and we backtracked to the trail. While we were side-tracked and looking for the trail I stumbled onto an interesting geologic formation. Since this rock is nowhere near the trail, there is a good chance it would have been missed if it wasn’t for getting a little lost.

Once we were back on the trail our worry subsided and we continued to the truck with this spectacular scenery as we ended an amazing expedition.