Pine Mountain Loop Photoset • LJW • 2022-01-11 • HikeArizona.COM

Pine Mountain Loop, AZ

	2022-01-11
	18 by LJW

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Pine Mountain Loop, AZ

Hiking	19.50 Miles	4,500 AEG

Hiking	19.50 Miles	8 Hrs 55 Mns	2.63 mph
	4,500 ft AEG	1 Hour 30 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Ballantine Connector Trail to FR143

Ballantine Cabin & Corral

Ballantine Trail #283

Pine Mountain 6236 - Mazatzals

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Finally got around to reaching Pine Mountain summit and completing the Ballantine Trail. Did it as a loop and checked off the rest of the 143 connector I hadn't done. Added in new ground east and south of Ballantine Cabin, and it ended up a day of new places in a familiar area, and my first trip back around since the Bush Fire.

Parked along the loop on 143 and started with the connector trail. It seemingly gets most of its traffic from dirt and mountain bikers heading to the cabin. For this it is easy to follow but eroded in the middle. Slippery with crushed granite. Clear water sliding over the sand in the many washes.

Over the ridge at Boulder Flat and to the Cabin. Went SE straight to the corral along the old ranching tracks. There are some cairns and the grade is there in places but it is a bushwhack with a healthy amount of catclaw. Breaked on a boulder and started the climb.

Ballantine Trail before the climb out of the Canyon to Rock Tank is almost entirely gone for the fire. Opted to stay in the mostly flat and sandy creek bed along the light flow of water. There was some quicksand, and I sank my leg in to my knee. It was fairly easy going and minimal bushwhacking. Where the trail still existed along/above the banks was obvious.

The trail for the climb out is in good shape, or at least it is easy to follow. The trail finds its way back to the creekbed shortly after Rock Tank. From Rock Tank to the saddle there was minimal fire damage. The trail from the Pine Connect #80 jct to the saddle is probably the most beautiful portion, as it climbs through the dense forest of old orange pines. It is very difficult to follow for this section, however. From top to bottom Ballantine has about as diverse of scenery of any trail I've been on.

From the saddle went up to the summit. Stayed farther north coming down and had an easier time in the open terrain under the pines. Way better views than expected. Four Peaks look much better from Pine Mountain than vice versa. Ballantine between the saddle and Cline TH is easy to follow but in appalling shape. Super eroded and slippery, a little overgrown. Roadwalked back and was passed by a few cars. Didn't see any hikers all day.

Ballantine Canyon

Light flow

Picadilla Creek @ FR 143 Crossing

Light flow

Rock Creek

Light flow

	Rock Tank	76-100% full	76-100% full
	Flowing strongest on Ballantine at Rock Tank and up

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