Brown's Creek
BIRDING GUIDE
​​​WHAT TO EXPECT
The Browns Creek Trail is a 4.6 mile lollipop trail off the Mt. Rose Highway that passes through coniferous forest, shrubland and riparian areas at about 5,600 feet in the Carson Range. It is a good location for montane species and can be productive for migrating songbirds in the spring and fall. There is approximately 1000 feet of elevation gain over the course of the hike.
Best time of year: April through October. This trail can be birded year-round when snow is not an issue. In the winter, snow can accumulate and turn icy on the north-facing slope that begins the hike, preventing access. The parking area is also not plowed frequently when snow accumulation is significant.
Notable species:
For the most recent and complete sighting list see the Browns Creek eBird Hotspot Link​
​
This area is productive for montane species such as woodpeckers (white-headed, downy, hairy), nuthatches (pygmy, white-breasted, red-breasted), ruby-crowned kinglets, mountain chickadees, brown creepers, Cassin’s finches, chipping sparrows, fox sparrows, green-tailed towhees, western tanagers and others. During spring and fall migration, look for mixed flocks of warblers and other migrating songbirds: Townsend’s, hermit, orange-crowned, Nashville, Macgillvray’s, black-throated gray, Wilson’s, and yellow warblers, as well as Cassin’s and warbling vireos. If you can make it up the trail in winter, keep an ear out for golden-crowned kinglets and red crossbills.
​​​​​
HOW TO GET THERE
From the I-80 & I-580/US 395 interchange, head south on I-580/US 395 for 12 miles. Take exit 24 for NV 431 (Mount Rose Highway) and head west on NV 431 for 6 miles. Turn left on Joy Lake Rd. and drive 1.5 miles to the parking area on your left. The trail begins across the road from the parking area.
POPULAR BIRDING ROUTE
From the parking area, cross the road and hike up the switchbacks, past the water towers and across the fireroad, to the crest of the hill where the loop begins. As you get close to the top, keep an eye out for western bluebirds and nuthatches. This initial ascent is approximately 1.3 miles and there is an optional spur trail to a viewpoint at the top. When you reach the loop intersection, take the trail counterclockwise (right), which will begin with a 0.4 mile descent to a small bridge over Browns Creek with a nice riparian area. Look for chipping and fox sparrows and green-tailed towhees on the descent. From the bridge, the trail skirts an adjacent, manzanita-covered hill to another riparian area. This section (mile 1.7 to mile 2.2) is sometimes very productive for warblers, vireos, kinglets, sparrows, and towhees. The next section of trail (mile 2.2 to mile 2.8) follows a riparian corridor down to a second intersection with Browns creek and offers the best birding of the hike. After crossing Browns Creek a second time at mile 2.8, there is a steep, half-mile ascent back to the beginning of the loop. From there, return to the parking area by the same route you came up.
Optional Side Trips:
The Browns Creek trailhead is very close to Galena Creek Regional Park and Whites Creek Canyon (look for birding guides for them in the future). It is also not far to continue up the Mount Rose Highway to Tahoe Meadows and Upper Ophir Creek.
​
