Living so close to Red Rock National Conservation Area I have easy access to explore the many trails it has to offer. I have my favorites, such as Calico Tanks and Ice Box Canyon, and this time I wanted to try something new.

I have stopped multiple times at this trailhead when I have visitors in town so they can admire the beauty of Bridge Mountain (Left Side), Mescalito Rock (Center), and Rainbow Mountain (Right Side). This time I’m going in between the two through a trail called Pine Creek Canyon.

GETTING THERE

Pine Creek Canyon is located in Red Rock’s Scenic Loop Road past the 10th-mile marker and before the 11th-mile marker. You will see a good size parking lot on your right and just pull into it. I have never had issues finding parking here.

---

Hike Summary

• Distance | 2.4 miles (3.8 km)
• Elevation Gain | 515 ft (92 m)
• Average Time | 2 hrs
• Difficulty | EASY to MODERATE
• Trail Type | There-and-back with a loop

---

This trail is very easy and can be enjoyable by families, pets and hikers of all skill levels. Cell phone service is intermittent.

PINE CREEK CANYON

The trailhead can be easily found by walking towards the mountain range from the parking lot. You will see the sign with a map showing you the trail labeled Pine Creek Canyon.

This trail is easy and you will appreciate it as well.

Pine Creek Trail

As you start the trail you will walk down to the bottom of the hill bringing you nearer to the canyon and a better view of Mescalito Rock. This rock formation is like the beacon that guides you towards the canyon.

Mescalito also forms the wedge that separates two drainages that feed the creek. As you hike your way towards the canyon you will see a small little trail called the Fire Ecology Trail. I recommend you this short trail on the way back.

As you walk towards the canyon you will be cruising easily in the open with no shade. You eventually run into another sign, just like the beginning called the Pine Creek Loop.

At the fork I went left towards a foundation of a home that used to be there. Then eventually to towards the creek.

Pine Creek Loop

The best part of this journey is that it is home to Red Rock’s most diverse plant life. Pine Creek has been given a special designation due to the exhibiting biodiversity in the Mojave Desert.

The creek keeps alive this ponderosa pine forest at the mouth of the canyon.

When I first did this trial I was in shock that I found myself in a pine forest. Seeing natural un-grazed grass was shocking, given that it is in the middle of a desert.

It was so unexpected to encounter such a green view. I even sat down on the grass to enjoy a little bit of it.

Fire Ecology Trail

This small little loop trail is a short 0.4 miles and goes into the Pine Creek wash. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) performed a controlled burning in 1992 to prevent the pine forest from burning in a wildfire.

There is is some beautiful vegetation to admire.

The Creek

Make your way towards the creek and explore it. You can easily lose yourself and forget that you are in the middle of a desert.

Just keep heading towards the canyon along the creek and you will eventually find yourself back into the trail to continue the loop.

Place For Climbing

As you hike in you will notice that rainbow mountain has a darker canyon wall. Many rock climbers go towards the right part of the scenic loop to find places to rock climb.

CONCLUSION

The desert has a color palette that gives the environment a unique vibe. Some people love it and some people hate it. Sometimes everything just blends in to itself. The various shades of browns and the occasional greens can definitely leave an impression that remind you that you are in the desert. Even neighborhoods blend in. It is very refreshing to find this pine forest close by to see some colors and vegetation that would not normally be found in the desert.

Do you find yourself living in a desert or just visiting it? Leave a comment below.

• desert
• hiking
• landscapes
• nature
• pineforest
• trail