AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Mace Mill Loop–Sugarloaf Trail, 3 sights

7.2 mi · ▲ 1,750 ft · 3 hr 17 min

Mace Mill Loop–Sugarloaf Trail, 3 sights is a 7.2-mile out-and-back near Balderson Station, CA. It climbs 1,750 ft, with sections as steep as 35% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 92/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.

Elevation

0 mi2,608 – 3,347 ft · steepest grade: 35%7.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnecessary Trail 38.91341, -120.73963
Nearest town Balderson Station, CA
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Mace Mill Loop–Sugarloaf Trail, 3 sights

7.2 mi · ▲ 1,750 ft · 3 hr 17 min

Elevation 2,609–3,348 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Unnecessary Trail · 38.91341, -120.73963

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:07 AM · sunset 8:12 PM

  1. Start on Unnecessary Trail, heading SW.
  2. 1 miBear left onto Mace Mill Loop, heading SW.
  3. 250 ftBear right, heading W.
  4. 50 ftSharp left onto Mace Mill Road, heading W.
  5. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Mace Mill Loop, heading S.
  6. 250 ftContinue straight onto Mace Mill Road, heading SW.
  7. 150 ftContinue straight onto Mace Mill Loop, heading S.
  8. 50 ftContinue straight onto Mace Mill Road, heading SE.
  9. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Mace Mill Loop, heading S.
  10. 50 ftContinue straight onto Mace Mill Road, heading S.
  11. 50 ftBear left onto Mace Mill Loop, heading S.
  12. 0.1 miBear left, heading SW.
  13. 0.9 miTurn left onto Sugarloaf Trail, heading S.
  14. 0.7 miReach Unnecessary Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  15. 0.7 miTurn left onto Mace Mill Loop, heading SW.
  16. 1.7 miTurn right onto Rock Creek Loop, heading NE.
  17. 0.3 miBear right, heading N.
  18. 50 ftBear left onto Mace Mill Loop, heading N.
  19. 250 ftBear right onto Unnecessary Trail, heading N.
  20. 0.9 miArrive 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/mace-mill-loop-sugarloaf-trail-out-back-3-sights-12-km-2634

Trail surface

85% dirt14% paved1% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:07 AMSunset 8:12 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~53 min). Leave by 7:00 PM for the 8:12 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Unnecessary Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Balderson Station, California