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PINE LOOP
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| Mazatzal Mountains from Lower Pineview Trail |
When asked what passage of the Arizona National Scenic Trail is the “best” one, trail users are quick to state that it’s the one you’re currently on.
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| Pine Loop uses AZT Highline Passage 26 |
For those who have trekked the entire 800+-mile non-motorized route that runs from the Mexico border to Utah, the oft repeated refrain precisely sums up the experience.
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| Highline/Arizona Trail |
Traveling south to north, the trail’s 43 Passages move through wildly diverse terrains.
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| Highline/Arizona Trail |
Deserts, mountains, riparian corridors, canyons, chaparral, grasslands, valleys, alpine meadows and coniferous forests. So, it’s easy to understand why naming a favorite is an impossible ask.
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| Mogollon Rim from Lower Pineview Trail |
But for hikers, bikers and equestrians looking to sample the trail without committing to days-long backcountry hauls, a special bias must be directed at the Highline Passage 26.
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| Lower Pineview Trail |
As the last Passage in the Central Arizona zone, in Tonto National Forest, the 23.9-mile single track marks the transition from arid desert mountains to Arizona’s woodsy high country.
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| Community of Pine below the trail |
It’s also one of the more approachable Passages with several trailheads, connecting trails and access points. Treatable water is available at several springs and creeks along the way.
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| Arizona Trail/Pineview junction |
A popular family-friendly day hike option that’s doable spring through fall is the Pine Loop. Starting at the Pine trailhead north of Payson, the loop uses the Arizona Trail/Highline, Pineview, Lower Pineview and Pine Canyon trails.
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| Pine Canyon Trail |
The well-signed hike starts out on the Arizona Trail, which shares space with the rerouted Highline Trail. This lower elevation side of the Passage features an interesting hybrid vegetation zone where cacti, yucca and agaves make their last stands as the dominant plants among oaks, junipers and Ponderosa pines.
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| Pine Canyon Trail |
The loop follows the AZT/Highline Trail for one mile to the Pineview, Lower Pineview junction. Nearby, a large information kiosk marks the spot. This is where the loop departs the AZT and heads west on the Lower Pineview Trail. (For a longer option, go north on the Pineview Trail and follow the signs.
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| The Pine Loop is well signed |
This adds roughly a half-mile and 200 feet of elevation to the loop).
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| Pineview Trail |
Lower Pineview serves up some great views of the Mazatzal Mountains to the south, the craggy cliffs leading up to the 700-foot escarpments of the Mogollon Rim and glimpses of the community of Pine.
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| Map of the loop |
At the 1.5-mile point, the loop swerves left onto the Pineview Trail that hangs on rolling foothills studded with junipers and scrub oaks. After less than a half-mile, the loop picks up the Pine Canyon Trail heading south. Now, the route is shaded in tall pines as it winds through gullies and drainages before ending back at the AZT/Highline Trail where the loop concludes with a backtrack to the trailhead.
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| Pine Trailhead |
While short in length and only mildly challenging, this scenic little loop gives a concise tour of a major shift point on the Arizona Trail and might also tempt those just sticking their toes into the world-class trail to explore deeper and maybe discover their own “best” parts.
LENGTH: 2.9 mile loop
RATING: easy
ELEVATION: 5,362 - 5,692 feet (525 feet of accumulated elevation change)
GETTING THERE:
From Payson, drive 12.6 miles north on State Route 87 to the turnoff for the Pine Trailhead on the right. Roads are paved all the way. There’s a restroom but no other facilities. Restaurants and services are available a short drive up SR87 in the community of Pine.
INFO: Arizona Trail Association
https://aztrail.org/explore/passages/passage-26-highline/
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