Pine City
- Physical DifficultyThis is the average user-submitted rating on the physical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
- Technical DifficultyThis is the average user-submitted rating on the technical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
Though not a city, and containing only a handful of pines, the Pine City Trail is still a thoroughly enjoyably hike. The path is also not often travelled, allowing for some beautiful solitude as you cross the flat plane.
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Route Description for Pine City
This trail remains mostly flat and continues straight for its entire length. It is extremely easy to follow, as there are almost no turns! At the trailhead there is a self-registration post for those wanting to camp in the backcountry.
As the path continues you will pass by several Joshua Trees, as well as many other cacti and shrubs. Though you won’t see as many as on the more popular hikes such as Split Rock, there are still several interesting monzogranite rock formations as you continue, classic to the Joshua Tree Park.
Finally you will see the first inhabitant of Pine City, a lone pine tree right beside the trail. Shortly after you will arrive in the “downtown” area, where half a dozen or so pine trees have rooted themselves firmly in the desert ground. You can continue a short ways further and gain a small ridge, which gives fantastic views back towards Pine City. You will also be able to see the full expanse of the great plane for miles and miles!
Turn around where the sign identifies the end of the maintained trail, and return the way you came to your car.
Insider Hints for Pine City
- The road is easily passable by sedans, as it’s graded by the park service.
- There is absolutely no shade on this hike; you have been warned!
Getting to the Pine City Trailhead
Enter the park from the West Entrance station below Joshua Tree Town. Continue down Park Boulevard for just under 25.7 km. Continue straight, not turning towards Keys View. Instead, turn left on the dirt Desert Queen Mine Rd., with signs towards several hiking trails. Follow this road until its terminus, and park in the small dirt parking lot. The trail begins on the left side of the lot. You can also enter from 29 Palms and drive along Park Boulevard until you see the turnoff for Desert Queen Mine Rd. on your right.
Route Information
Pine City Elevation Graph
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Nearby Trails
- Desert Queen Mine Hike
- Eagle Cliff Mine Hike
- Skull Rock Nature Trail
- Jumbo Rocks Campground Loop
- Crown Prince Lookout Trail
- Eagle CLiffs Lucky Boy Vista Loop
- Skull Rock Discovery Trail
- Wall Street Mill and Wonderland Wash Loop
- Lucky Boy Vista Trail To Elton Mine Trail
- Live Oak Tank and Ivanpah Tank Trail
- Split Rock Trail