Pine City hike
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Pine City hike
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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.
Getting there
Enter the park from the West Entrance station below Joshua Tree Town. Continue down Park Boulevard for just under 16.0mi. 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.
About
| When to do | Spring and Fall, avoid summer heat |
| Backcountry Campsites | Dispersed Camping |
| Toilets | No |
| Family friendly | Yes |
| Route Signage | Average |
| Crowd Levels | Low |
| Route Type | Out and back |
Pine City
Elevation Graph
Weather
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
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!
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Betty K. 4 years ago
Short but beautiful hike. The trail was nice and there was hardly anyone around when we started at 9am.
Francine Robertson 4 years ago
Pine City hike is the most beautiful hike I ever did. Will definitely come back to this trail
cindychu 4 years ago
It is both beautiful and alluring, but it is fragile and delicate.
YashKumar 4 years ago
Hiking, even if a short one, adds to the experience of distant, silent mountains.
supermario 4 years ago
I would highly recommend stopping here and explore.
MichaelShulman 4 years ago
We enjoyed our hike here. Make sure to keep hydrated, especially on a typical sunny day.
Nora T. 4 years ago
This was a great trail! Great view of the valley
Stumpyboots 4 years ago
Well maintained trails. Really pretty scenery, including spectacular vistas, unique cacti, and awesome rock formations.
Kenny Walks 4 years ago
Pine City hike is the most beautiful hike I ever did. Loved it!
Cooper B. 4 years ago
It is a lovely attraction in the middle of the desert.