Pine City (dayhike)

Trip Date: 10/27/2013

Location: Joshua Tree National Park

Permit/Pass: 7 Day Permit ($15), JT Annual Pass ($30) or National Parks Pass

Trails: NPS

Directions: From Hwy 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway) in Yucca Valley follow the signs to JTNP (south on Park Blvd - Quail Springs Rd - National Park Dr) to the kiosk at the Northwest entrance. Drive 15.7 miles on Park Boulevard (be sure to stay left at the junction with Keys View Rd.) to the entrance to Desert Queen Mine Rd. Turn left and drive the short distance to the parking area.

Trail sequence: Pine City trail

Type: Out and back

Distance: 4.3 miles (*3.9 to Pine City)

Elevation: Min. - 4401’, Max. - 4611'

Profile:

 

Rating: Easy (factors: heat)

Synopsis: An easy, fairly level hike through starkly beautiful JT scenery. It takes you to a boulder-strewn area with a number of pinyon pines (not really as dense as the name implies). There is a continuation of the trail around the west side of the boulders which takes you to the top of a knoll with a view down into the desert to the north. To the west of this trail extension there is a canyon with more pines and interesting rock formations which makes for fun exploration.

Track: Pine City - Joshua Tree NP

Turn by turn:

  -- From the dirt parking area locate the Pine City trailhead and head north, staying alert for the few spots where the trail drops into and rises out of washes. 

  -- About a mile and a half along the path you come to large concentration of boulders and pinyons. The trail splits here, with the northeast fork heading into Pine City. (*)

  -- To extend the hike, take the west fork as the trail continues around the boulder group, then turns north.

  -- Another half mile brings you to another split, with the right fork continuing north down into the canyon (there is a sign posted here which warns that the trail beyond is unmaintained - we can attest to that). The left turn takes a few yards to the top of the hill.

  -- Retrace your steps from the hilltop to the main trail, then return to the trailhead along your outbound path.

Photos: Pine City 

Video: Youtube