Hike Pine Mountain Prescott National Forest, AZ

Apr 20, 2022 — Pine Mountain is the high point of an extended ridgeline in central Arizona's Pine Mountain Wilderness. It's not often visited despite its nice trail system, likely due to the long drive on dirt roads to reach the trailhead and also probably because the peak doesn't look particularly interesting when viewed from any direction. However, the summit views are really gorgeous and I was happily surprised at how well-maintained the trails were way back here. Google had no issue navigating me to the Salt Flat Trailhead from I-17. Take Exit 268 and follow Dugas Road, heading east. The first half of the drive is fine for any vehicle, but the road quickly deteriorates after the first right turn off the county-maintained road. While mostly good for higher-clearance vehicles, there are a couple of steeper section where 4WD would be nice, but I'm sure any Crossover could get out here.

I started out from the Salt Flat Trailhead along the Nelson Trail #159, which follows Sycamore Creek. The trail starts off as an old roadbed converted into a trail. This is a particularly pretty section of forest, and I'm sure during the fall it's even better. I was really enjoying the flowing creek sounds as I gradually ascended along the tame trail. I believe a portion of the trail briefly enters private property (a sign reads as much) before entering the Pine Mountain Wilderness. After a couple of miles along the Nelson Trail, I reached a junction with the Willow Springs Trail #12, where I kept left. I'd be returning from the right later to close the loop. I recommend you do the loop portion of the hike clockwise like I did since the views on the way back (southern portion of the loop) are quite nice, whereas the ascent along the Willow Springs Trail is mostly forested.

The Willow Springs Trail continues through the forest and passes through a burn area. Fortunately the trail seems to be maintained regularly, and the burned area wasn't even a mild annoyance. The trail begins to ascend more steeply to the ridge above, where it meets with the Verde Rim Trail #161. The Verde Rim Trail almost immediately gets some nice views as it switchbacks a few times on the way up toward Pine Mountain. However, the trail doesn't reach the true high point. A cairned social trail pops in on the left, providing easy access to the summit. I took in the views toward the surrounding area, including Mazatzal Peak to the southeast and Mount Union to the west, which was actively on fire.

I backtracked to the Verde Rim Trail along the summit social trail and continued south where there were more nice views over the rim. I reached the junction with the Pine Mountain Trail #14 and took this west, descending along a slope with decent views to the north. This led back to a junction with the Nelson Trail. I kept right and descended to the first junction I'd reached earlier that formed the loop.

You can extend the loop farther by continuing south along the ridgeline, but I was content to get the peak and make this a little lollipop loop instead of a longer hike.