All these years (we moved to NM in 2010, started hiking in earnest in 2016) we’ve driven past Pine Flat and further south on NM 37 the sign to Oak Flat, never considering hiking thereabouts. Recently after a hike out of Oak Flat, I was reviewing GAIA maps and saw .. there is an interesting web of trails between them. With a bit reconnoitering, I came up with a combination of trails that would give us some elevation gain and a loop. This area is attractive when we have only a morning for a hike, and … we can have breakfast (or lunch) at Roots Farm Cafe.
The Drive In
Easy – from Albuquerque eastbound on I-40, exit at Tijeras onto NM 337 southbound (folks who have been in these parts for many years know it as South 14). From Roots Farm Cafe (1/3 mile from the stoplights) south on NM 337 to the Pine Flat Picnic Area (7 miles). After turning into the Picnic Area, go to the right .. parking for the trailhead is at the south end of the parking area.
The Hike
Pine Flats North Loop #1.Pat.2025-10-10
Notes about the Google Earth screenshot: the graph at the bottom shows elevation of the track (pink area) and speed (the blue line).
The hike begins with a two-track for about 500 yards, then bears off to the left up a shallow valley. There are a couple of options to bear to the right (onto Deadman Sidekick and Deadman trails). We took a turn to the left onto Pine Flat Connector to Pine Loop. At about .9 mile, with the help of GAIA, we chose to cut across to Deadman with the goal of making the hike a loop.
So then it was Deadman on up the hill until an un-named trail (1.6 miles into the hike) – perhaps this is the”Sofa Queen” trail, from the aluminum signs nailed to a tree. We followed this trail until intersecting with the Oak Flat Connector trail (been here on hikes out of Oak Flat). Continued until the intersection with Pine Loop, turning left until left on Pine Flat Connector that took back to parking.
Highlight
The flowers are still brightening up the forest.
Statistics
Total Distance: 4.48 miles
Elevation: start 7,250 ft, maximum 7,692 ft, minimum 7,250 ft
Gross gain: 442 ft. Aggregate ascending 722 ft, descending 722 ft
Maximum slope: 20% ascending, 24% descending, 5.2% average
Duration: 2:53, Average Speed: 1.6 mph, Shade: 60%
| GPS Track Files for Download | |
8 Downloads | |
|---|---|
8 Downloads | |
| Link to GAIA GPS: “Pine Flat North Loop #1 Hike” | |
| If you haven’t explored these hiking tracks with Google Earth, give it a try. With the virtual 3-dimensional presentation, achieved by panning and tilting the view, you can get good idea of the hike and the terrain. For some ideas, check out Using Google Earth Track Files. | |
Related Posts
References and Resources
USDA Forest Service: Pine Flat Connector Trailhead & Trail 05635
GAIA GPS: Pine Flat Trailhead Loo vie PINE LOOP
AllTrails: Oak Flat Connector, Deadman, and Pine Loop
Oak Flat Loop
TrailForks: The Best Mountain Biking Trails in Pine Flat/Oak Flats
Sofa Queen
Sofa King
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