Summary 
| Difficulty | 2 Beginner-intermediate |
| Length | 4.2 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
6400 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+350, -350 feet |
| Navigation | Road and marked trail |
| Time | Half day |
| Season | Mid-December through March |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Pinecrest |
| Start | Dodge Ridge Ski Resort parking loop. Follow Dodge Ridge Road to where the one-way loop of the ski area parking lot begins. A right turn at this point leads into the parking area at the Crabtree Trailhead. |
Description
This loop is your best choice if you seek a pleasant half day tour in this area. The route is easy to follow and the terrain is easy to negotiate as the route meanders through the trees.
The loop can be customized by adding one or more detours on three marked trails. The Burnt Bowl trail, 0.6 mile and +200, -150 feet when skied clockwise, is the most difficult with intermediate downhill terrain that is not found on the Crabtree Trail Loop or the other two detours. Years ago skiers practiced telemark skiing in Burnt Bowl. Today trees clog the area that once was open.
The Sugar Pine trail, 1.0 mile and +50, -250 feet, has a bit of downhill when skied clockwise but almost none if skied counter-clockwise. The Redwood trail, 0.2 mile and +50, -50 feet, is an easy cutoff that bypasses a loop in Crabtree Road.
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 3
Miles: 0.0 - 0.4
Elevation change: -50 feet
From the trailhead (1) ski on the spur road that weaves southwest for 0.4 mile until you reach the intersection with Crabtree Road (3). You may or may not see the road junction at mileage point 2, which is located 0.1 mile from Crabtree Road. The road that intersects the spur road you are on enters from the east (left), is part of a series of roads that lead to the ski resort, and is sometimes groomed. You will know you are at Crabtree Road because a stop sign and road direction sign will probably be visible.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 0.4 - 1.2
Elevation change: +50, -50 feet
Cross Crabtree Road, locate Crabtree trail where it enters the trees and follow it west, south and finally southeast for a total of 0.8 mile until you reach a creek drainage (4). On the far side of the creek, Burnt Bowl trail takes off to the southeast; after crossing the creek you must look to your left and up the creek to locate that marked trail. [#1 Crabtree trail]
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 1.2 - 1.2
Elevation change: Nil
Continue west on Crabtree trail for 50 yards until you reach the junction with the Sugar Pine trail (5) that loops to the south. [#1 Crabtree trail]
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 1.2 - 1.9
Elevation change: -150 feet
Continue on Crabtree trail as it meanders to the west for 0.7 mile until you reach the other end of the Sugar Pine trail (6). At about the 0.2 mile mark you are back on a road. [#1 Crabtree trail]
Waypoint 6 to 7
Miles: 1.9 - 2.0
Elevation change: Nil
Continue west on the road for 0.1 mile until you reach the junction with the Redwood trail (7). [#1 Crabtree trail]
The Redwood trail heads northwest while the Crabtree trail and road head southwest before heading north.
Waypoint 7 to 8
Miles: 2.0 - 2.4
Elevation change: Nil
Continue on the road that loops southwest, west and then north for a total of 0.4 mile until you reach the other end of the Redwood trail (8). Don't worry if you miss this junction because it will be obvious where you are when you reach the next junction. [#1 Crabtree trail]
Waypoint 8 to 9
Miles: 2.4 - 2.6
Elevation change: -50 feet
Continue north on the road for 0.2 mile until you reach a major road junction (9). The road you intersect is Crabtree Road.
Waypoint 9 to 10
Miles: 2.6 - 3.6
Elevation change: +200, -50 feet
Turn east (right) onto Crabtree Road and follow it east and then north for a total of 1.0 mile until you reach a road junction (10).
Waypoint 10 to 3
Miles: 3.6 - 3.8
Elevation change: +50 feet
Continue on the main road to the southeast for 0.2 mile until you reach the road junction (3) you were at early in the tour.
Return to Trailhead
Miles: 3.8 - 4.2
Elevation change: +50 feet
Turn east (left) onto the spur road and follow it as it meanders to the northeast for 0.4 mile until you reach the trailhead (1).
