Point Mariah–Serene Lakes, 7 sights
8.3 mi · ▲ 1,082 ft · 3 hr 18 min
Point Mariah–Serene Lakes, 7 sights is an 8.3-mile out-and-back in Royal Gorge near Soda Springs, CA. The route passes Serene Lakes before reaching Point Mariah at the turnaround, 4.2 miles in. It climbs 1,082 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 61/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Point Mariah–Serene Lakes, 7 sights
8.3 mi · ▲ 1,082 ft · 3 hr 18 min
Elevation 6,765–7,054 ft
Out & Back · Royal Gorge
Trailhead: Summit Connection · 39.31316, -120.38663
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:48 AM · sunset 7:03 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Summit Connection, heading SE.
- 0.3 miBear right onto Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Summit Connection, heading E.
- 150 ftBear right, heading SE.
- 300 ftTurn right onto Switchback, heading S.
- 1.4 miBear right onto Rowton Peak Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left onto Switchback, heading SW.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Tiny Tim, heading SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Switchback, heading SW.
- 250 ftPass Serene Lakes.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Reindeer, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Sterlings Canyon, heading SW.
- 300 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 250 ftBear right onto Sterling's Canyon Road, heading SW.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Sterling's Canyon Road, heading S.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Sterlings Canyon, heading SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Sterling's Canyon Road, heading S.
- 0.4 miSharp left onto Hellman Way, heading S.
- 0.8 miReach Point Mariah, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.8 miSharp right onto Sterling's Canyon Road, heading NE.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Sterlings Canyon, heading NE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Sterling's Canyon Road, heading NE.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Sterling's Canyon Road, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear left onto Sterlings Canyon, heading NE.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Reindeer, heading N.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Switchback, heading NE.
- 350 ftContinue straight onto Tiny Tim, heading N.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Switchback, heading NW.
- 100 ftBear right onto Rowton Peak Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear left onto Switchback, heading NW.
- 1.4 miTurn left, heading W.
- 300 ftBear left onto Summit Connection, heading NW.
- 100 ftBear right onto Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear left onto Summit Connection, heading NW.
- 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.9 mi in (~21 min). Leave by 6:22 PM for the 7:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Summit Connection Trailhead
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- Mount Lincoln–Pacific Crest Viewpoint, 9 sights 15.2 mi · ▲ 2,150 ft
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- Tunnel Rock–Petroglyph Cliff, 5 cliffs 8.9 mi · ▲ 935 ft
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