Rock Creek Loop

16.1 mi · ▲ 2,538 ft · 6 hr 38 min

Rock Creek Loop is a 16.1-mile out-and-back near Balderson Station, CA. It climbs 2,538 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 86/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.

Elevation

0 mi2,789 – 3,744 ft · steepest grade: 18%16.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 38.93469, -120.72003
Nearest town Balderson Station, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Rock Creek Loop

16.1 mi · ▲ 2,538 ft · 6 hr 38 min

Elevation 2,788–3,745 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 38.93469, -120.72003

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:50 AM · sunset 7:05 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 1.2 miBear left onto Access Road, heading S.
  3. 0.5 miSharp right onto Trail 1, heading S.
  4. 3.4 miSharp right onto Rock Creek Loop, heading SW.
  5. 0.2 miSharp left, heading W.
  6. 0.3 miSharp left onto Mace Mill Loop, heading SW.
  7. 0.4 miSharp right, heading S.
  8. 50 ftBear left onto Rock Creek Loop, heading SE.
  9. 0.3 miBear left onto Mace Mill Loop;Rock Creek Loop, heading S.
  10. 0.1 miSharp left onto Rock Creek Loop, heading SW.
  11. 1.5 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  12. 1.5 miSharp right onto Mace Mill Loop;Rock Creek Loop, heading NE.
  13. 0.1 miBear right onto Rock Creek Loop, heading NW.
  14. 0.3 miBear right, heading N.
  15. 50 ftSharp left onto Mace Mill Loop, heading N.
  16. 0.4 miSharp right, heading N.
  17. 0.3 miSharp right onto Rock Creek Loop, heading SE.
  18. 3.7 miSharp left, heading SW.
  19. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Access Road, heading NE.
  20. 100 ftBear right, heading NE.
  21. 1.2 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

73% dirt27% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:50 AMSunset 7:05 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 6.1 mi in (~176 min). Leave by 3:48 PM for the 7:05 PM sunset. Back at your car by 10:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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