The Brown Mountain Trail is 6.8 miles in length and runs from the junction with High Lakes Trail #6200 on the Winema National Forest to Forest Road #3705 on the Rogue River National Forest. This guide describes only the 5.3 miles on Rogue River 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; brilliant fall colors. Water sources are untested and should be considered unsafe to drink.
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 alongside the creek, which now becomes swampy and abound with willows. At 2.5 miles road #560 is crossed and at 2.9 miles the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail is crossed. (Mountain bikes prohibited on PCNST). 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 #6200 (1.5 miles). Follow the trail to the right 0.1 miles to road #3640.