PINE FLAT PICNIC SITES - A and B

Pine Flat picnic sites A and B are accessible picnic areas located on State Highway 337 (James McGrane Memorial Highway, or Old South 14) approximately 7 miles from I-40. The highway runs parallel to the picnic area, making it easy to identify and enter. The area is surrounded by pinon, juniper, scrub oak and ponderosa pine that lend shade to both reservation areas. Cool mountain breezes are common here, and the sound of rustling foliage renders Pine Flat an excellent place to lean back, relax and maybe even take a nap. From the entry way, the two reserve-only sites are to your left. Each site can accommodate fifty people, and both have grills, tables, accessible vault toilets and bear proof trash containers; bears frequent the area. Water, electricity and firewood or charcoal are not available at the site. Dispersed picnic tables, available on a first-come, first-served basis, are located throughout the area along the east side of the Pine Flat site. There is no overnight camping at this site. The trailering area for horse and motorcycle trailers is located to the right as you enter the gate, with pull-through trailer parking in addition to regular vehicle parking. Follow the road south to the trailhead that leads into the Manzanita Mountains Trail system. The Pine Flat connector trail leads to a multiuse motorized trail system with loops and straightaways to satisfy just about any recreationist; for more information on OHV use, consult the District Motor Vehicle Use Map. Pine Flat picnic ground is 7,240 feet in elevation. It is fairly flat, which makes it easy to park a trailer and unload your OHVs or horses, and hikes in the surrounding area vary in elevation by approximately 50 to 120 feet. Pine Flat Sites A and B were built in 1956 by the Forest Service with the intent to provide picnic sites for large group use; please take care of your public land by using Leave No Trace ethics. The historic Cedro Cemetery and the town of Tijeras are about five miles from the picnic area.