Panorama Trail #635
Panorama Trail #635 is a White Mountain Trail System long loop hike near Pinetop-Lakeside in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The route is mapped as a hiking path and is treated as a moderate-length loop, with common reports landing around ~9.5 miles and about 500 ft of total gain/loss.
From the signed trailhead/parking area off Forest Road 45 (Porter Mountain Road / Penrod Road in the approach), hike north through a pine forest on the signed trail (not the road). After roughly the first half mile, you reach a signed fork and then follow the Panorama Trail corridor as it skirts the edge of Porter Mountain (radio towers atop Porter Mountain).
At about 3.4 miles in, you’ll come to a signed junction with the Sawmill connector trail. Stay on Panorama Trail #635 at that junction, continuing as the route drops gently off a mesa and transitions from pine forest toward Porter tank area.
After reaching Porter tank, the route turns east and the plant community shifts from pine to scrub oak and juniper. Shade becomes scarce, but the trail remains easy to follow as it heads through meadowy sections toward South Tank.
South Tank is a key water point on this route; when it was described from recent use, Porter tank was dry while South Tank still held some water. Continue south toward the Twin Knolls, where the climb to the saddle provides wide views of the surrounding area.
The return heads west as you skirt the base of a western hill, then reconnect to the initial trail junction to finish the loop with about 0.5 miles back to the trailhead and parking area. Expect route-finding only at the junctions—stick with the signed Panorama Trail movement at forks/connector ties.
Preparation: while the trail is generally described as easy to follow and moderate in effort, the White Mountain Trail System route can still see conditions that affect footing and traction; scout/inspect the trail surface and current conditions when it has been wet or recently snowed, and adjust footwear and timing accordingly.
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