Royal Gorge

Benches Viewpoint–Overload Loop, 3 sights

1.8 mi · ▲ 342 ft · 46 min

Benches Viewpoint–Overload Loop, 3 sights is a 1.8-mile loop in Royal Gorge near Soda Springs, CA. The route reaches Benches Viewpoint. It climbs 342 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 48/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi6,893 – 7,238 ft · steepest grade: 21%2.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Rowton Peak Trail 39.29456, -120.38100
Nearest town Soda Springs, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Benches Viewpoint–Overload Loop, 3 sights

1.8 mi · ▲ 342 ft · 46 min

Elevation 6,895–7,238 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

  1. Start on Switchback, heading NE.
  2. 0.4 miBear right onto Overload, heading SE.
  3. 0.6 miSharp right onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading SW.
  4. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Bogus Basin, heading SW.
  5. 200 ftBear left onto Jack's Jump, heading W.
  6. 50 ftBear right onto Bogus Basin, heading W.
  7. 50 ftPass Benches Viewpoint.
  8. 250 ftBear left onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading SW.
  9. 50 ftBear right onto Bogus Basin, heading W.
  10. 50 ftTurn left onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading W.
  11. 150 ftContinue straight onto Bogus Basin, heading SW.
  12. 150 ftContinue straight onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading SW.
  13. 50 ftContinue straight onto Bogus Basin, heading SW.
  14. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Tiny Tim, heading SE.
  15. 0.2 miTurn right onto Switchback, heading NW.
  16. 150 ftTurn right onto Rowton Peak Trail, heading NW.
  17. 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

100% dirt

Weather

ClearTemperature 81°F55°
Precip0%Wind6 mphUV8Humidity23%
Hourly temperature
85°55°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:13 PM
Tue 81°61°
Wed 82°55°
Thu 85°55°
Fri 86°56°
Sat 86°56°
Sun 87°54°

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Rowton Peak Trail Trailhead