AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Royal Gorge

Benches Viewpoint–Serene Lakes Loop, 3 sights

7.8 mi · ▲ 1,380 ft · 3 hr 17 min

Benches Viewpoint–Serene Lakes Loop, 3 sights is a 7.8-mile loop in Royal Gorge near Soda Springs, CA. The route passes Benches Viewpoint and Serene Lakes. It climbs 1,380 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 37/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi6,693 – 7,353 ft · steepest grade: 18%8.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 39.32146, -120.37984
Nearest town Soda Springs, CA
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Benches Viewpoint–Serene Lakes Loop, 3 sights

7.8 mi · ▲ 1,380 ft · 3 hr 17 min

Elevation 6,695–7,353 ft

Loop · Royal Gorge

Trailhead: 39.32146, -120.37984

Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 83°F / low 54° · precip 0% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:13 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 150 ftBear left, heading S.
  3. 0.5 miSharp right onto Summit Connection, heading W.
  4. 0.3 miBear left, heading SE.
  5. 300 ftTurn right onto Switchback, heading S.
  6. 1.2 miTurn left onto Jack's Jump, heading S.
  7. 0.3 miPass Benches Viewpoint.
  8. 50 ftBear right onto Bogus Basin, heading SW.
  9. 250 ftBear left onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading SW.
  10. 50 ftBear right onto Bogus Basin, heading SW.
  11. 50 ftTurn left onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading SW.
  12. 150 ftContinue straight onto Bogus Basin, heading SW.
  13. 150 ftContinue straight onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading SW.
  14. 50 ftContinue straight onto Bogus Basin, heading SW.
  15. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Tiny Tim, heading S.
  16. 0.2 miSharp left onto Switchback, heading NW.
  17. 200 ftPass Serene Lakes.
  18. 150 ftContinue straight onto Reindeer, heading NW.
  19. 1.1 miTurn left, heading NW.
  20. 350 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  21. 250 ftBear right, heading NW.
  22. 150 ftBear left, heading NW.
  23. 0.2 miBear left, heading W.
  24. 200 ftSharp left, heading W.
  25. 0.2 miTurn left, heading NW.
  26. 200 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  27. 0.5 miTurn right, heading W.
  28. 0.2 miTurn right onto Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, heading NW.
  29. 150 ftBear left, heading NW.
  30. 350 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  31. 500 ftSharp right, heading W.
  32. 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
  33. 0.2 miBear left, heading E.
  34. 0.1 miBear left, heading SE.
  35. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NE.
  36. 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  37. 0.6 miTurn left, heading SE.
  38. 1.1 miTurn right, heading NW.
  39. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/benches-viewpoint-loop-6a5a

Trail surface

96% dirt4% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 83°F54°
Precip0%Wind4 mphUV8Humidity26%
Hourly temperature
85°50°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:13 PM
Tue 82°60°
Wed 82°56°
Thu 86°56°
Fri 86°56°
Sat 87°57°
Sun 87°55°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.8 mi in (~21 min). Leave by 7:32 PM for the 8:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Soda Springs, California