Pine Tree Loop Trail Map

Route map of the Pine Tree Loop Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...

Pine Tree Loop Trail Map

Route map of the Pine Tree Loop Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Pine Tree Loop/Deerfield Loop Trailhead (South Trailhead) -- 2,190'

The Pine Tree Loop Trail's southern junction with Wesley Branch Road is seen here. This shouldn't be considered a 'trailhead' as there is no adjacent parking...

Pine Tree Loop/Deerfield Loop Trailhead (South Trailhead) -- 2,190'

Don't let the sign fool you...for the first quarter-mile, the Pine Tree Loop and Deerfield Loop coincide...

Pine Tree Loop/Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,220'

The yellow blaze of the Deerfield Loop and blue blaze of the Pine Tree Loop mark the trees along this stretch. As an avid Wolverines fan I approved of the color combo...

Pine Tree Loop/Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,250'

The trail slowly and steadily climbs for this first quarter-mile after leaving the road...

Pine Tree Loop/Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,280'

As you can see, the forest here is quite young...

Pine Tree Loop/Deerfield Loop Trail -- 2,300'

The trail as it approaches the Deerfield/Pine Tree Loop split...

Pine Tree Loop/Deerfield Loop Trail Junction -- 2,320'

A quarter-mile north of the road the trail reaches the spot where the Deerfield Loop and Pine Tree Loop part ways. The Deerfield Loop makes a sharp left here (out of frame) while the Pine Tree Loop continues straight ahead...

Pine Tree Loop/Deerfield Loop Trail Junction -- 2,320'

Looking at the junction of the Deerfield and Pine Tree Loops from the opposite direction. The previous photo was taken from straight ahead with the Deerfield Loop being better seen here heading downhill to the right...

Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,340'

Tall pines tower above a dense understory of rhododendron...

Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,360'

This is absolutely an aptly-named trail...

Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,390'

The Pine Tree Loop curves south now to press up close to the steep slopes of nearby Grassy Knob...

Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,400'

As you can tell from its looks, this is an very popular trail, both with hikers and bikers...

Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,380'

When the leaves are down there are some nice glimpses of the surrounding hills through the trees...

Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,300'

A long straight downhill stretch...

Pine Tree Loop/Pine Tree Connector Trail Junction -- 2,250'

This junction marks the westernmost extremity of the Pine Tree Loop. The Pine Tree Connector breaks west to connect to the nearby Explorer Loop. The Pine Tree Loop continues downhill, straight ahead...

Pine Tree Loop/Pine Tree Connector Trail Junction -- 2,250'

This junction marks the westernmost extremity of the Pine Tree Loop. The Pine Tree Connector breaks west to connect to the nearby Explorer Loop. The Pine Tree Loop continues downhill, straight ahead...

Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,240'

The trail now drops into a pleasant, grassy opening with some nice views of the surrounding hills...

Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,220'

Getting closer to Bent Creek, the rhododendron press in once again in earnest...

Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,190'

Winding along the hills to the south of Bent Creek...

Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,200'

You can certainly hear Bent Creek by this point but the wide, tree and shrub-choked floodplain effectively hide it from view...

Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,180'

Not much to see but at least it's flat...

Pine Tree Loop Trail -- 2,170'

Nearing the north end of the Pine Tree Loop...