Pine Creek Trail,
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
The Pine Creek Trail follows the Pine Creek Natural Area of the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park near Payson, Arizona. There are steps that lead down to the creek bed. When you're at the creek, stepping on and climbing over many slippery rocks is unavoidable. Follow the arrows on the rocks. Many of the small rocks lead to large boulders and then the hike becomes a short climb. Unfortunately, there is no wading or swimming allowed in the stream or rock pools. Please be respectful and leave no trace.
A sign at the trailhead describes this trail as very difficult, steep and strenuous.
Elevation
The Pine Creek Trail has a maximum elevation of 4,607 ft., a minimum elevation of 4,465 ft. and an elevation range of 142 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 0.4 mi | 4,465 ft | 4,607 ft | 142 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 13 min | 0.0 | 0 ft | 128 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 16 min | 10.7 | 128 ft | 0 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Pine Creek Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Strawberry, AZ
- North Topo Map: Pine, AZ
- Northeast Topo Map: Kehl Ridge, AZ
- West Topo Map: Cane Springs Mountain, AZ
- Topo Map: Buckhead Mesa, AZ
- East Topo Map: Payson North, AZ
- Southwest Topo Map: Cypress Butte, AZ
- South Topo Map: North Peak, AZ
- Southeast Topo Map: Payson South, AZ
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Pine Creek Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Pine Creek Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.4 miles (0.6 km) or 896 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Pine Creek Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 13 minutes in one direction and in 16 minutes in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.