12N70T–Balderson Trail, 4 sights

10.3 mi · ▲ 1,827 ft · 4 hr 21 min

12N70T–Balderson Trail, 4 sights is a 10.3-mile out-and-back near Buckeye, CA. It climbs 1,827 ft, with sections as steep as 22% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 74/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi2,789 – 3,402 ft · steepest grade: 22%10.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Bald Eagle Road 38.90094, -120.77892
Nearest town Buckeye, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

12N70T–Balderson Trail, 4 sights

10.3 mi · ▲ 1,827 ft · 4 hr 21 min

Elevation 2,788–3,403 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Bald Eagle Road · 38.90094, -120.77892

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:08 AM · sunset 8:12 PM

  1. Start on Little Silver Trail, heading NE.
  2. 1.2 miContinue straight onto Balderson Trail, heading E.
  3. 1.3 miTurn right onto Mace Tie Trail, heading E.
  4. 0.2 miTurn left onto Mace Mill Loop, heading S.
  5. 0.3 miTurn left onto Rock Creek Loop, heading E.
  6. 1 miTurn left onto Balderson Trail, heading NE.
  7. 0.7 miSharp left onto Tipton Hill Road, heading N.
  8. 0.5 miReach Little Silver Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 0.5 miSharp right onto Balderson Trail, heading S.
  10. 0.7 miTurn right onto Rock Creek Loop, heading E.
  11. 1 miTurn right onto Mace Mill Loop, heading W.
  12. 0.3 miTurn right onto Mace Tie Trail, heading SW.
  13. 0.2 miTurn left onto Balderson Trail, heading N.
  14. 1.3 miContinue straight onto Little Silver Trail, heading SW.
  15. 1.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

94% dirt6% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:08 AMSunset 8:12 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.4 mi in (~74 min). Leave by 6:38 PM for the 8:12 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Bald Eagle Road Trailhead