Switchback
2.4 mi · ▲ 258 ft · 56 min
Switchback is a 2.4-mile out-and-back in Royal Gorge near Soda Springs, CA. It climbs 258 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 37/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Switchback
2.4 mi · ▲ 258 ft · 56 min
Elevation 6,864–7,032 ft
Out & Back · Royal Gorge
Trailhead: 39.30171, -120.37946
Weather Sep 20: Overcast, high 71°F / low 49° · precip 2% · wind 8 mph · sunrise 6:48 AM · sunset 7:03 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Switchback, heading NE.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.4 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 1.2 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.4 mi in (~13 min). Leave by 6:31 PM for the 7:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 2 min before dark.
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Aster–Claim Jumper Bike Route, 3 sights 6.9 mi · ▲ 1,790 ft
- Overload via Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail 1.9 mi · ▲ 319 ft
- Mount Disney–Aster, 3 sights 4.6 mi · ▲ 1,320 ft
- Aster–Claim Jumper Bike Route Loop, 4 sights 4.3 mi · ▲ 555 ft
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Hikes near Soda Springs, California