Summary 
| Difficulty | 3 Intermediate |
| Length | 4.2 miles one-way to Burst Rock Junction or 8.4 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
6550 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+1600 feet one-way to Burst Rock Junction or +1600, -1600 round trip |
| Navigation | Road and marked trail |
| Time | Up to full day |
| Season | December through mid-April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Pinecrest |
| Start | Gooseberry Trailhead located at Dodge Ridge Ski Resort parking loop. Follow Dodge Ridge Road to the one-way loop of the ski area parking lot. Follow the loop to the ski area lodge and turn around as though leaving. From the lodge it is 0.3 mile to the Gooseberry Trailhead. The trailhead will be on the north (right) side of the road. |
Description
A tour on Gooseberry Road is a significant uphill trek which is typical of all tours that head east from Dodge Ridge Ski Resort. The redeeming factor is the return downhill run assuming the snow conditions are good. You can also make a shorter tour by stopping anywhere you desire and turn around.
The farthest point east on this tour is Burst Rock Junction. There are two other tours that lead to this point. They are the Crabtree Road and Old Crabtree Road tours. Any two of the three can be joined to make a loop tour.
There are two bypass routes along Gooseberry Road that can be used to vary the tour and create loops. They are the Rock and Roll and Zig-Zag tours. They are shown on the Gooseberry Road map.
At the 3.1-mile mark you will encounter groomed slopes of Dodge Ridge Ski Resort that cross Gooseberry Road. Backcountry skiers have the right to cross the ski slopes but be watchful of downhill skiers and snowboarders who may be descending fast.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Note: The Pinecrest Nordic Ski Patrol has marked many backcountry ski trails in this area. Where applicable, the numbers and name of the trails are given in brackets. Visit their website to download a map showing all the marked trails or obtain a map at the Summit Ranger District office at #1 Pinecrest Lake Road near the junction with Highway 108.
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.3
Elevation change: +150 feet
From the trailhead (1) ski on snow-covered Gooseberry Road as it makes a curve east and then north for a total of 0.3 mile until you reach a 180-degree turn in the road (2). The turn in the road is the intersection with the Stanislaus trail that is described in the Stanislaus Overlook tour. [#6 Gooseberry trail]
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.3 - 0.5
Elevation change: +50 feet
Continue south on Gooseberry Road for 0.2 mile until you reach another 180-degree turn in the road (3). At the turn there is a spur road on the south (right) side of Gooseberry Road. [#6 Gooseberry trail]
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 0.5 - 1.1
Elevation change: +200 feet
Continue north, then northeast and finally southwest on Gooseberry Road for a total of 0.6 mile until you reach a sharp turn in the road (4). At the turn there is a spur road on the south (right) side of Gooseberry Road. [#6 Gooseberry trail]
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 1.1 - 1.4
Elevation change: +150 feet
Continue northeast on Gooseberry Road for 0.3 mile until you reach a turn in the road with a spur road to the north (left) (5). This turn is not as sharp as previous ones. [#6 Gooseberry trail]
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 1.4 - 1.6
Elevation change: +100 feet
Continue northeast on Gooseberry Road for 0.2 mile until you reach a road junction and the junction with the Zig-Zag trail (6). The Zig-Zag trail leaves Gooseberry Road to the southeast (right). [#6 Gooseberry trail]
Waypoint 6 to 7
Miles: 1.6 - 2.2
Elevation change: +300 feet
Continue on Gooseberry Road as it meanders generally to the east for a total of 0.6 mile until you reach a sharp, almost 180-degree, turn to the southeast (right) and the junction with the Rock and Roll trail (7). [#6 Gooseberry trail]
Waypoint 7 to 8
Miles: 2.2 - 2.5
Elevation change: +100 feet
Continue on Gooseberry Road to the southeast for 0.3 mile until you reach a road junction (8). [#6 Gooseberry trail]
Waypoint 8 to 9
Miles: 2.5 - 2.9
Elevation change: +200 feet
Continue on Gooseberry Road as it meanders to the south for 0.4 mile until you reach a turn in the road to the east (left) (9). This is also the upper intersection with the Zig-Zag trail but the intersection is not marked. [#6 Gooseberry trail]
Waypoint 9 to 10
Miles: 2.9 - 3.1
Elevation change: +150 feet
Continue on Gooseberry Road to the east for 0.2 mile until you reach a groomed downhill ski run (10). [#6 Gooseberry trail]
Waypoint 10 to 11
Miles: 3.1 - 3.7
Elevation change: +50 feet
Ski generally east across the groomed slopes for 0.4 mile until you reach the east edge of the groomed downhill trails (11). The multiple downhill trails are separated by trees that you will pass through in this section. [#6 Gooseberry trail]
Waypoint 11 to 12
Miles: 3.7 - 4.2
Elevation change: +150 feet
Continue on Gooseberry Road as it undulates to the east for a total of 0.7 mile until you reach Burst Rock Junction (12). The junction is well marked with multiple signs on a large tree. [#6 Gooseberry trail]
Return to trailhead
Miles: 4.2 - 8.4
Elevation change: -1600 feet
Retrace the route for 4.2 miles back to the trailhead (1) or return to Dodge Ridge Ski Resort by the Crabtree Road tour or Old Crabtree Road tour.
