Summary 
| Difficulty | 4 Intermediate-advanced |
| Length | 4.8 miles round trip from Burst Rock Junction and 13.2 miles round trip via Gooseberry Road tour (see description) |
| Starting Elevation |
8150 feet at Burst Rock Junction and 6550 feet at Gooseberry Trailhead |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+1050, -1050 feet round trip from Burst Rock Junction and +2650, -2650 feet from Gooseberry Trailhead |
| Navigation | Road and map |
| Time | Very long day from Gooseberry Road Trailhead |
| Season | December through mid-April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Pinecrest, Copper Peak |
| Start | This tour starts at Burst Rock Junction, which is located in the backcountry. The shortest route to reach the Junction is via the Gooseberry Road tour although it can be also reached via the Crabtree Road tour or the Old Crabtree Road tour. Refer to those tours for more details. |
Description
A long haul to a spectacular destination describes the tour to Burst Rock. Go there for the views and the challenge of a very long tour with lots of elevation change.
As the title of the tour suggests, it begins at Burst Rock Junction. But first you have to reach the junction. The shortest route is the Gooseberry Road tour, but you can also reach the junction via the Crabtree Road tour or the Old Crabtree Road tour.
But even by the shortest route it is 13.2 miles round trip, up 2650 feet and down 2650 feet. A fair weather spring day where you have consolidated snow is the obvious time to attempt this tour.
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 - 1.1
Elevation change: +400 feet
From the Burst Rock Junction (1) ski on a snow-covered road in a generally easterly direction for 1.1 miles until you reach a road junction (3). About 100 yards (mileage point 2) from Burst Rock Junction you will encounter, if you are looking closely, a sign in a tree on the north (left) side of the road indicating that the Strider II trail cuts off the south (right) side of the road. This trail connects with Crabtree Road.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 1.1 - 1.4
Elevation change: +100 feet
Continue northeast on the road and broad ridge for 0.3 mile until you reach the location where the ridge continues straight-ahead while the road veers to the east (4). You have missed this point if the road begins to descend.
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 1.4 - 2.1
Elevation change: +200, -50 feet
Continue northeast along the ridge that is broad at first and then narrows for a total of 0.7 mile until you reach a location to the south of a knob (5). In this section you pass to the south of Peak 8809.
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 2.1 - 2.4
Elevation change: +300 feet
Climb southeast up a ridge for 0.3 mile until you reach Burst Rock (6).
Return to trailhead
Miles: 2.4 - 4.8
Elevation change: +50, -1000 feet
Retrace the route for 2.4 miles back to Burst Rock Junction (1).
