Benches Viewpoint–Bogus Basin Loop, 7 sights
5.3 mi · ▲ 697 ft · 2 hr 7 min
Benches Viewpoint–Bogus Basin Loop, 7 sights is a 5.3-mile loop in Royal Gorge near Soda Springs, CA. The route reaches Benches Viewpoint. It climbs 697 ft, with sections as steep as 25% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 42/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Benches Viewpoint–Bogus Basin Loop, 7 sights
5.3 mi · ▲ 697 ft · 2 hr 7 min
Elevation 6,779–7,283 ft
Loop · Royal Gorge
Trailhead: Rowton Peak Trail · 39.29456, -120.38100
Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 81°F / low 55° · precip 0% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:13 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Switchback, heading NE.
- 1.4 miTurn right onto Timberline, heading N.
- 1.4 miTurn right, heading E.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Bill Patterson, heading E.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Nose Dive, heading E.
- 0.8 miBear left onto Bogus Basin, heading S.
- 0.9 miBear right onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading SW.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Bogus Basin, heading W.
- 150 ftPass Benches Viewpoint.
- 50 ftBear left onto Jack's Jump, heading W.
- 50 ftBear right onto Bogus Basin, heading W.
- 250 ftBear left onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear right onto Bogus Basin, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading NW.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Bogus Basin, heading W.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Bogus Basin, heading W.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Tiny Tim, heading SW.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Switchback, heading SE.
- 100 ftBear right onto Rowton Peak Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftThe loop closes back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.7 mi in (~47 min). Leave by 7:06 PM for the 8:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Rowton Peak Trail Trailhead
- Benches Viewpoint–Overload Loop, 3 sights 1.8 mi · ▲ 342 ft
- Serene Lakes–Reindeer, 3 sights 2.3 mi · ▲ 204 ft
- Switchback 3.4 mi · ▲ 284 ft
- Rowton–Aster Loop, 5 sights 3.7 mi · ▲ 759 ft
- Lyle's Lookout–Serene Lakes, 3 sights 4 mi · ▲ 405 ft
- Pine Marten via Switchback 4.8 mi · ▲ 388 ft
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