Overview

This easy, 0.3-mile loop trail runs from the Pine Creek Trail out into Pine Creek Wash through an area of thick Mojave Desert Scrub vegetation where the BLM set a controlled burn in 1997 to clear brush and reduce the chances of a catastrophic wildfire that might kill the tall ponderosa pines in the wash. Little evidence of the fire remains, but the efforts have been successful. The Fire Ecology Trail starts from the Pine Creek Trail and runs as a figure-8 out to Pine Creek. The first half of the figure-8 is easy to find, but the start of the other half is not clearly marked. To hike the Fire Ecology Trail from the Pine Creek Trailhead, the total distance is about 1.0 miles round trip.

Link to map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this is a safe, but rocky trail where you have to watch your step to avoid twisting an ankle. The first (and last) 0.2 miles of the trail is fairly steep, dropping (or climbing) 70 feet in about 0.2 miles, but the rest is essentially flat.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this is a short hike, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials.

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike is located along the Scenic Loop Road in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, about 1 hour west of Las Vegas. Drive out to Red Rocks, pay the fee, and then drive about 2/3rds of the way around the Scenic Loop Road to the Pine Creek Canyon Trailhead. Park here; this is the trailhead.

The Hike

From the Pine Creek trailhead (Table 2, Waypoint 1), which sits atop a bench overlooking Pine Creek Wash, the well-defined Pine Creek Trail runs south, cutting down and across a steep sidehill. Near the trailhead, the vegetation is fairly sparse and dominated by few species, including blackbrush, Mojave yucca, banana yucca, and Utah juniper.

The trail turns west and follows an old road towards the Wilson Cliffs. After another 0.1 miles, the Pine Creek trail intersects the start of the Fire Ecology Trail (Wpt. 3). Before starting down the Fire Ecology Trail, look up the Pine Creek Trail about 45 yards and spot a white post with a sign along the trail; this marks the end of the Fire Ecology loop.

The Fire Ecology Trail runs south, descends five concrete stairs, and shortly arrives at the edge of a wash. The vegetation here is thick and diverse, and manzanita, yerba santa, and ponderosa pines have joined the species mix.

At the edge of the wash, the trail turns west and runs along the north side of the wash. After walking for another minute or two, the trail curves back to the north (back towards the Pine Creek Trail) (Wpt. 4). From this point, you can look across the wash and see a picnic table by three big ponderosa pines (the left-most pine has a forked top; see the banner picture at the top of the page).

Cross the wash and walk towards the picnic table. As you approach the table, you will see a trail (outlined with rocks along the edge) heading left and away from the picnic table. You might also notice that another trail runs into the bushes beside the double-topped pine. These are the entrance to and exit from the other half of the figure-8 loop.

Taking the trail to the left, the trail shortly arrives at Pine Creek Wash, and Pine Creek flows here seasonally. There are two park benches on the side of the trail at the end of the loop (Wpt. 5), and two signs explain the controlled burn. Sit, relax, and listen to the water and the birds.

Continuing around the loop, the trail quickly returns to the picnic table. From there, cross the wash, pick up the loop trail where you left it, turn north (left) and follow the trail north to the end of the Fire Ecology Trail (Wpt. 6) where it intersects with the Pine Creek Trail.

At the Pine Creek Trail junction (Wpt. 6), either turn east (right) and walk back 0.3 miles to the trailhead, or turn west (left) and wander another 0.47 miles farther up the Pine Creek Trail. From the intersection, it is just a few minutes to the remains of old-man Wilson's homeplace (Wpt. 7), so you might as well wander up there and check it out before heading for home.