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Pine Mountain Wilderness - Prescott (& Tonto)
National Forests
| Summary: |
The Pine Mountain Wilderness is located just east of I-17
in central Arizona. Here's how the sign describes the wilderness: "Pine
Mountain Wilderness was created by an act of congress is 1972 offers the
visitor a place of natural beauty and solitude with a breathtaking view from
the Verde Rim. Horseshoe Lake is visible to the south, the Mogollon Rim the
East, the Verde Valley to the north and the Bradshaw Mountains to the west.
The wilderness encompasses 19,569 on the Prescott and Tonto National
Forests, elevations vary from 4600 ft to 6800 feet. The western section lies
within the Prescott NF and is characterized by an island of virgin ponderosa
pine, this stand of pine is surrounded by woodland, chaparral types, and
open grassland at lower elevations. The eastern section on the Tonto NF
includes steep and rough chaparral covered slopes leading down to the Verde
River."
What it really is: a poorly managed hangout for hunters and cows. |
| Directions: |
From Phoenix drive north on I-17 to exit
#268 for Orme Rd. and Dugas Rd. Zero your trip odometer and turn right off
the exit ramp onto Dugas (Forest Road #68) & you'll soon enter the Prescott
National Forest. The pavement ends after 2.3 miles in a well graded dirt
road, at the 9.5 mile point turn right, remaining on FR #68 following the
sign towards Pine Mountain (the road becomes rougher at this point). At the
11.5 mile point, turn right (staying on #68) again, towards Pine Mt. (the
road roughens a bit more, though never becomes too terrible). At the 17.6
mile point you'll pass the Double T Ranch and shortly afterwards, at the 19
mile point, you'll reach the Salt Flat Camping area and trailhead with
trashed outhouses, a picnic table & register. |
| Road
Conditions: |
High Clearance Vehicle |
| Navigation: |
Difficult |
| Length: |
Depends |
| Date
Hiked: |
January 2003 |
| Weather
Conditions: |
Nice |
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Required Skills: |
 |
| Hike
Description: |
The Nelson Trail begins across FR #68 from the register &
you'll soon pass a sign (described above) and fence. The purpose of the
fence must be to keep cows from crapping outside the wilderness area, you'll
be dodging pies the entire hike. The path heads up a wooded ravine, at a
mild grade, next to a stream (which was flowing when the author was here). A
short stroll will bring you to a fence post and cairn, this is the junction
for the right branching Pine Flat Trail (which I did not follow & did not
appear very distinct). You will soon pass a sign for the Nelson Trail #159,
Verde Rim 4 miles, Pine Mt 4.5 miles then some low rock walls, which are the
remains of the Nelson homestead. After about 45 minutes of walking you will
come to an unsigned junction with distinct paths heading left and right (and
a possible faint third path continuing straight?). The author and his wife
went left, continuing up canyon on what we believed was the Willow Springs
Trail. The path continues up the main ravine at a gentle, then more moderate
grade becoming ever more faint as it goes. Eventually as the path nears the
head of the ravine it degenerates into a series of cow paths & finally fades
altogether. I turned around at this point. Back at the trail junction, I
walked a short way up the right branching junction (which I think is the
continuation of the Nelson Trail), which also faded quickly at an old water
tank and fence. I then decided to cut my losses and returned to my car.
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| Rating
(1-5 stars): |
The author and his wife spent 3.5 hours here. |
| Maps: |
Prescott National Forest map - though
it's not very good |
| Books: |
Exploring Arizona Wild
Areas -
Scott S. Warren |
| Photos: |
Click picture for larger
view, click your browser's 'Back' button to return to this page. |
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| No pictures were taken on
this hike. |
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