Woodlands Special Treatment Area
Observatory Trail
6.9 mi · ▲ 1,129 ft · 2 hr 52 min
Observatory Trail is a 6.9-mile out-and-back in Woodlands Special Treatment Area near Whiskey Springs, CA. It climbs 1,129 ft, with sections as steep as 29% grade. It scores 73/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Observatory Trail
6.9 mi · ▲ 1,129 ft · 2 hr 52 min
Elevation 83–753 ft
Out & Back · Woodlands Special Treatment Area
Trailhead: connector · 39.33559, -123.72941
Weather Sep 4: Clear, high 67°F / low 50° · precip 0% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:47 AM · sunset 7:43 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
- 150 ftBear right onto Observatory Trail, heading S.
- 1 miBear right onto Railroad Gulch Road, heading N.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Parallel Action, heading NW.
- 1.3 miBear left, heading W.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.8 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 0.8 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 1.7 miContinue straight onto Railroad Gulch Road, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Observatory Trail, heading E.
- 1 miBear left, heading NW.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.6 mi in (~17 min). Leave by 7:06 PM for the 7:43 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint
Other ways to reach this destination
More from connector Trailhead
- Observatory Trail 2.1 mi · ▲ 406 ft
- Observatory Trail 2.1 mi · ▲ 406 ft
- Forest History Trail 2.3 mi · ▲ 534 ft
- Observatory Trail 3.4 mi · ▲ 441 ft
- Observatory Trail 3.4 mi · ▲ 441 ft
- Cook House Trail & Emerald Highway 4.2 mi · ▲ 992 ft
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