The Gianelli Trail to Burst Rock

This week’s Musings of Quintius Curtius Snodgrass 

Burst Rock, a moderate 6 mile r/t hike, is another family and dog friendly hike that starts at the Gianelli Trailhead. Follow the same directions as if you are going to Crabtree, but continue past the Crabtree Trailhead parking an additional 1.3 miles to the parking area of Gianelli Trailhead. This road is steeper and can have some rough spots but I’ve taken my Fiat 500 up it, which wasn’t the best car to drive, with no permanent damage. However, I suggest a car with a higher clearance and more oomph. 

A.G. Gianelli,whom the trailhead is named for, was an immigrant farmer and rancher from Italy. He lived with his family in the Summersville area, now known as Tuolumne City, and built a hunting cabin where the present day trailhead is located.

The hike to Burst Rock takes place within the Emigrant Wilderness and no permit is needed for day hikes but you must obtain one for any overnight stays, These are available at the Summit Ranger Station located at 1 Pinecrest Lake Rd, Pinecrest 209-965-3434.

You begin the hike at the far end of the parking area. Be sure to take in the abundance of wild flowers and the majestic sights of the granitic Sierras as you walk along a well defined path. When you reach the plateau at 9,120 feet, you have arrived at Burst Rock. This was an important trail marker for pioneers traveling the Walker River-Sonora Pass route.  Looking over the steep drop, some say you can see the remains of a wagon which crashed to the bottom as it was being lowered. I have not seen it, but I don’t get close enough to the edge to really look. Yosemite is to the south and volcanic peaks are to the north. It is truly awe inspiring even without the smashed wagon. 

Historians and hikers can’t agree to just one origin story of the name Burst Rock. Some say it was originally Birth Rock because an emigrant woman gave birth atop of the rock while their wagon train was delayed. Others argue the original name was Bust Rock, due to the "Bust" (failure) many pioneers faced on this leg of their journey. While geologists insist it’s named for the rugged geologic formations that seem to “burst” through the ground. No matter the origin of the name, it is a hike worth taking.