Kidd Lake–Serene Lakes, 4 lakes
7.7 mi · ▲ 764 ft · 2 hr 57 min
Kidd Lake–Serene Lakes, 4 lakes is a 7.7-mile out-and-back in Royal Gorge near Soda Springs, CA. The route passes Serene Lakes and Kilborn Lake before reaching Kidd Lake at the turnaround, 3.9 miles in. It climbs 764 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 51/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Kidd Lake–Serene Lakes, 4 lakes
7.7 mi · ▲ 764 ft · 2 hr 57 min
Elevation 6,691–7,017 ft
Out & Back · Royal Gorge
Trailhead: Rowton Peak Trail · 39.29456, -120.38100
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:48 AM · sunset 7:03 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Rowton Peak Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftBear left onto Switchback, heading SW.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Tiny Tim, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Switchback, heading S.
- 300 ftPass Serene Lakes.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Reindeer, heading NW.
- 1.1 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 350 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.4 miBear right, heading W.
- 0.7 miTurn right onto Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, heading N.
- 100 ftBear left, heading N.
- 0.7 miPass Kilborn Lake.
- 350 ftSharp left, heading NW.
- 300 ftTurn right onto Kidd Lake, heading N.
- 0.6 miReach Kidd Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.6 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 250 ftSharp right onto Palisade, heading NE.
- 0.8 miBear right onto Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, heading E.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 0.7 miBear left, heading E.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading E.
- 50 ftBear left, heading E.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
- 350 ftTurn right onto Reindeer, heading E.
- 1.1 miContinue straight onto Switchback, heading SE.
- 350 ftContinue straight onto Tiny Tim, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Switchback, heading S.
- 150 ftBear right onto Rowton Peak Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftArrive 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 3.4 mi in (~89 min). Leave by 5:14 PM for the 7:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:55 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
- Pacific Crest Viewpoint–Petroglyph Cliff, 8 sights 14.7 mi · ▲ 2,409 ft
- Mount Judah Viewpoint–Pacific Crest Viewpoint, 8 sights 12 mi · ▲ 1,822 ft
- Serene Lakes–Reindeer, 3 sights 2.3 mi · ▲ 204 ft
- Switchback 3.4 mi · ▲ 284 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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