Onion Creek Experimental Forest

Crows Nest–Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, 3 sights

5.2 mi · ▲ 1,352 ft · 2 hr 25 min

Crows Nest–Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, 3 sights is a 5.2-mile out-and-back in Onion Creek Experimental Forest near Soda Springs, CA. The route reaches Crows Nest at the turnaround, 2.6 miles in. It climbs 1,352 ft, with sections as steep as 34% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 43/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi6,916 – 7,832 ft · steepest grade: 34%5.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Summit Connection 39.31316, -120.38663
Nearest town Soda Springs, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Crows Nest–Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, 3 sights

5.2 mi · ▲ 1,352 ft · 2 hr 25 min

Elevation 6,916–7,833 ft

Out & Back · Onion Creek Experimental Forest

Trailhead: Summit Connection · 39.31316, -120.38663

Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 81°F / low 53° · precip 0% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:13 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Summit Connection, heading SE.
  2. 0.3 miBear right onto Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, heading SE.
  3. 50 ftBear left onto Summit Connection, heading E.
  4. 150 ftBear right, heading SE.
  5. 300 ftTurn right onto Switchback, heading S.
  6. 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
  7. 1.1 miBear left, heading E.
  8. 50 ftBear right onto Nose Dive, heading E.
  9. 0.1 miTurn left onto Razorback, heading S.
  10. 0.4 miTurn left, heading S.
  11. 0.4 miReach Crows Nest, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  12. 0.8 miTurn right onto Nose Dive, heading NW.
  13. 0.1 miBear left, heading N.
  14. 50 ftBear right, heading N.
  15. 1.1 miTurn right onto Switchback, heading W.
  16. 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
  17. 350 ftBear left onto Summit Connection, heading N.
  18. 100 ftBear right onto Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, heading N.
  19. 50 ftBear left onto Summit Connection, heading N.
  20. 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

84% dirt16% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 81°F53°
Precip0%Wind5 mphUV8Humidity22%
Hourly temperature
85°50°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:13 PM
Tue 81°59°
Wed 81°55°
Thu 85°55°
Fri 85°56°
Sat 86°56°
Sun 87°54°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.9 mi in (~31 min). Leave by 7:22 PM for the 8:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Summit Connection Trailhead