Highline Trail Gets New Sign at Pine Trailhead
Hikers in Arizona's Rim Country now have a clearer marker for the Highline Trail at Pine.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Hiking
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A new Highline Trail portal sign was installed at the Pine Trailhead on Thursday, October 29, to make the trail easier to find. The sign was placed by a Phoenix-based Arizona Trail crew led by Shawn Redfield, with materials purchased by the National Forest Foundation.
Why it matters
For Arizona hikers, clearer trail markers make it easier to locate and follow the Highline Trail, a National Scenic Trail designated in 1972. The sign also reflects ongoing restoration and connection work that is expanding the network of routes available across Rim Country.
This is local trail-project reporting rather than a study, drawing on grant totals and mileage figures from the project. The restoration covers 63 miles of existing Highline Trail completed last year, alongside $3.4 million in grants collaborated on over the past 19 months.
The players
Arizona Trail
A long-distance hiking route of roughly 800 miles that crosses Arizona from Mexico to Utah, and the organization that maintains it.
National Forest Foundation
A nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service that funds conservation and restoration projects on national forest lands.
Rim Country Trail Fund
A local trail-support group that has collaborated on millions of dollars in grants for trail projects in Arizona's Rim Country.
The details
A Phoenix-based Arizona Trail crew led by Shawn Redfield installed the sign, with the National Forest Foundation purchasing materials using donations to the Highline Trail Restoration Initiative. The Arizona Trail sign is centered under the portal sign, and an identical sign is installed at the 260 Trailhead at the other end of the Highline Trail. The Arizona Trail and Highline Trail coincide for 20 miles from Pine to Washington Park, where the Arizona Trail turns north toward Flagstaff.
Timeline
Thursday, October 29, 2026: the portal sign was installed at the Pine Trailhead.
Last year (2025): restoration of the existing 63 miles of the Highline Trail was completed.
Over the past 19 months: the Trail Fund collaborated on $3.4 million in grants.
Health Landscape
The Highline Trail was designated a National Scenic Trail in 1972, and recent restoration of its existing 63 miles extends that federal recognition into current trail maintenance. Improved signage and connections like these reflect a broader pattern of trail networks being expanded for public outdoor recreation.
Clearer trail markers can make it easier for hikers to find and stay on the Highline Trail, which supports safer, more confident outings. Hikers planning longer routes in the area may want to check trail conditions and plan with their own fitness level in mind, and a conversation with a clinician can help when choosing a challenging hike.
The takeaway
Trail networks like the Highline and Arizona Trails are being improved through signage and restoration, which makes outdoor routes easier to use. Before heading out, it is worth checking current trail conditions and noting the route's length and elevation to match it to your own experience.
Further reading
For more routes and trail conditions across the state, explore our Hiking section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Paysonroundup.
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