Fire Ecology Trail | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

Overview | Fire Ecology Trail | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

Pine Forest Fire Management Control

The .2-mile Fire Ecology Interpretive Trail in Pine Creek Canyon, Red Rock Canyon NCA, Nevada, was a controlled burn conducted in 1992 to determine how canyon forests could be managed to protect older trees from being consumed by brush fire. Following a brush management strategy aimed at controlling excess brush fuel on the forest floor, a controlled burn was conducted that successfully passed underneath the Ponderosa Pines without damaging them.

Interpretive Trail and Picnic Area

Today visitors can walk this interpretive trail, observe the current condition of the 1992 controlled burn, learn from a number of interpretive signs and picnic at a table near the edge of Pine Creek.

Best Time of Year to Walk The Fire Ecology Trail

The best time of year to hike this trail is mid-Fall through mid-Spring. Summer temperatures can exceed 110 degrees. Learn more by clicking the image or title above.

Directions to the Start Point | Fire Ecology Trail | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

From I-215 take the Charleston Blvd exit (at Red Rock Casino) and head upward through Summerlin toward Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Take the Red Rock Canyon scenic drive past the high point overlook and past the Willow Spring picnic area turnoff. Continue on the Red Rock Canyon scenic drive past the trailhead for Ice Box Canyon. Pine Creek Canyon Trailhead is the next trailhead on your right, a couple miles beyond the Ice Box Canyon Trailhead.

↓ Narrative Guide ↓

Narrative Guide | Fire Ecology Trail | Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

Begin at the well-marked Pine Creek Canyon trailhead sign at the rear of the trailhead parking area. The trail begins with a healthy but brief descent into the canyon below. There’s a split-off trail to the left at the point where the trail reaches the canyon floor. That split leads toward Juniper Canyon. Don’t take that left split, but continue on the main Pine Creek Canyon trail. The impressive Mescalito Pyramid/Peak in the center of Pine Creek Canyon is a good reference point. Head for that.

In a few hundred feet you’ll come across a well-signed left split for the Fire Ecology Loop Trail. Take a left onto the short .2 mile loop. The loop has some rather detailed interpretive signs that tell the story of how this area has been used as a test for preserving the majestic Ponderosa Pines during and following a fire. Pause the slide guide on this page to view some of the interpretive signs.

Along the Fire Ecology Loop Trail there are picnic areas under the Ponderosa Pines. Some picnic tables are beautifully located at the edge of Pine Creek.

There are some additional light trails you can explore in the area:

• Dales Trail: Leads to Ice Box Canyon and is part of the Rainbow Mountains Eastern Baseline Trails network.
• Knoll Trail: Leads to Juniper Canyon and Oak Creek Canyon and is part of the Rainbow Mountains Eastern Baseline Trails network.
• Pine Creek Canyon Loop Trail: Nice 1-mile loop around the entrance of Pine Creek Canyon.

Enjoy your day in beautiful Pine Creek Canyon!