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This trail is in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness and the usual federal wilderness area regulations and restrictions apply here. Practice Leave No Trace (LNT). Sitting at about 1,700 feet, Pine Flat is generally accessible all year, as transient snow levels are usually above 3,500 feet. In spring, the road to the trailhead at Briggs Creek can sometimes be harder to negotiate (or even closed) if the Illinois River is high.

Description

Pine Flat is one of the most popular backpacking destinations in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. And, despite the arduous drive to the trailhead at Briggs Creek, Pine Flat is a popular hike too. It's a wonderful meadow and one of the few places where a trail gives you direct access to a remote section of the Wild & Scenic Illinois River.

The Pine Flat Trail #1219 leaves the Illinois River Trail #1161 at a saddle about 5 miles west of the Briggs Creek Trail. Here the #1161 continues on the the right (northwest) while the #1219 starts a steep, 800-foot descent to the confluence of Pine Creek. Across Pine Creek and through the woods is a large meadow with a few campsites off the grass. Always camp on durable surfaces and practice leave no trace.

The #1219 continues across the meadow to the confluence of Florence Creek and the start of the recently restored Florence Way Trail #1219A. The #1291A can be used to make a loop up to Bald Mountain with a return on the #1161.