Pine Marten via Switchback
4.8 mi · ▲ 388 ft · 1 hr 48 min
Pine Marten via Switchback is a 4.8-mile out-and-back in Royal Gorge near Soda Springs, CA. It climbs 388 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 34/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Pine Marten via Switchback
4.8 mi · ▲ 388 ft · 1 hr 48 min
Elevation 6,791–7,032 ft
Out & Back · 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
- Start on Switchback, heading NE.
- 1.3 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Pine Marten, heading E.
- 0.5 miReach Pine Marten, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.6 miTurn left onto Switchback, heading W.
- 1.3 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 0.9 mi in (~24 min). Leave by 7:28 PM for the 8:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:51 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
- Benches Viewpoint–Overload Loop, 3 sights 1.8 mi · ▲ 342 ft
- Serene Lakes–Reindeer, 3 sights 2.3 mi · ▲ 204 ft
- Switchback 3.4 mi · ▲ 284 ft
- Rowton–Aster Loop, 5 sights 3.7 mi · ▲ 759 ft
- Lyle's Lookout–Serene Lakes, 3 sights 4 mi · ▲ 405 ft
- Benches Viewpoint–Bogus Basin Loop, 7 sights 5.3 mi · ▲ 697 ft
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Hikes near Soda Springs, California