AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes
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Booster–Boulder Dash, 9 sights

15.9 mi · ▲ 2,309 ft · 6 hr 27 min

Booster–Boulder Dash, 9 sights is a 15.9-mile out-and-back near Ponderosa Palisades, CA. It climbs 2,309 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 72/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi6,195 – 8,006 ft · steepest grade: 21%17.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Big Chief/Sawtooth Connector Trail 39.27017, -120.20129
Nearest town Ponderosa Palisades, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Booster–Boulder Dash, 9 sights

15.9 mi · ▲ 2,309 ft · 6 hr 27 min

Elevation 6,196–8,005 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Big Chief/Sawtooth Connector Trail · 39.27017, -120.20129

Weather Aug 4: Clear, high 85°F / low 60° · precip 0% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:11 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Sawtooth Trail, heading NE.
  2. 0.2 miSharp right onto Bobbles, heading SE.
  3. 50 ftTurn left onto Boulder Dash, heading E.
  4. 0.3 miTurn right, heading E.
  5. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
  6. 0.1 miTurn left onto Whoops, heading SE.
  7. 150 ftContinue straight onto Spaghetti, heading E.
  8. 50 ftContinue straight onto Whoops, heading E.
  9. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Spaghetti, heading SE.
  10. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Northstar Service Road 700, heading E.
  11. 0.7 miContinue straight onto Lor Axe, heading E.
  12. 50 ftBear left onto Northstar Service Road 700, heading E.
  13. 1.7 miTurn left onto Northstar Service Road 900, heading NE.
  14. 2.1 miSharp right onto Tell No Tales, heading E.
  15. 0.2 miSharp left, heading SE.
  16. 150 ftTurn right onto Boondocks, heading SE.
  17. 0.4 miBear left onto Coaster, heading SW.
  18. 150 ftBear right, heading S.
  19. 0.3 miTurn left onto Lookout, heading S.
  20. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Coaster, heading W.
  21. 500 ftContinue straight onto Lookout, heading S.
  22. 150 ftTurn left onto Tryumph, heading S.
  23. 0.2 miBear left onto Booster, heading S.
  24. 0.5 miTurn right onto Snake, heading SE.
  25. 0.2 miSharp right onto Playground, heading S.
  26. 0.2 miReach Boulder Dash, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  27. 0.2 miSharp left onto Snake, heading E.
  28. 0.2 miTurn left onto Booster, heading E.
  29. 0.5 miBear right onto Tryumph, heading W.
  30. 0.2 miTurn right onto Lookout, heading N.
  31. 150 ftContinue straight onto Coaster, heading N.
  32. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Lookout, heading NW.
  33. 0.1 miTurn right onto Coaster, heading NW.
  34. 0.2 miBear right, heading N.
  35. 250 ftBear right, heading NW.
  36. 250 ftBear right onto Boondocks, heading N.
  37. 0.3 miBear left, heading NE.
  38. 200 ftTurn left, heading N.
  39. 200 ftSharp right onto Tell No Tales, heading N.
  40. 0.2 miSharp left onto Northstar Service Road 900, heading E.
  41. 2.1 miTurn right onto Northstar Service Road 700, heading W.
  42. 1.7 miBear right onto Lor Axe, heading N.
  43. 50 ftContinue straight onto Northstar Service Road 700, heading N.
  44. 0.7 miContinue straight onto Spaghetti, heading SW.
  45. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Whoops, heading NW.
  46. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Spaghetti, heading SW.
  47. 50 ftContinue straight onto Whoops, heading SW.
  48. 200 ftTurn right, heading W.
  49. 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
  50. 0.2 miTurn left onto Boulder Dash, heading W.
  51. 0.3 miBear left, heading N.
  52. 250 ftTurn right onto Bobbles, heading NW.
  53. 50 ftSharp left onto Sawtooth Trail, heading NW.
  54. 250 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/booster-boulder-dash-out-back-9-sights

Trail surface

96% dirt2% gravel2% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 85°F60°
Precip0%Wind3 mphUV8Humidity22%
Hourly temperature
85°60°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:11 PM
Wed 86°56°
Thu 89°56°
Fri 90°57°
Sat 90°58°
Sun 89°57°
Mon 87°55°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 5.2 mi in (~151 min). Leave by 5:20 PM for the 8:11 PM sunset. Back at your car by 10:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Big Chief/Sawtooth Connector Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Ponderosa Palisades, California