AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Royal Gorge

Rowton–Aster Loop, 5 sights

3.7 mi · ▲ 759 ft · 1 hr 37 min

Rowton–Aster Loop, 5 sights is a 3.7-mile loop in Royal Gorge near Soda Springs, CA. The route reaches Rowton. It climbs 759 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 57/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi6,893 – 7,602 ft · steepest grade: 19%4.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Rowton Peak Trail 39.29456, -120.38100
Nearest town Soda Springs, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Rowton–Aster Loop, 5 sights

3.7 mi · ▲ 759 ft · 1 hr 37 min

Elevation 6,895–7,601 ft

Loop · 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

  1. Start on Switchback, heading NE.
  2. 0.7 miTurn right onto Aster, heading E.
  3. 0.6 miBear right onto Claim Jumper Bike Route, heading E.
  4. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NE.
  5. 450 ftTurn right onto Nose Dive, heading SE.
  6. 450 ftBear left onto Bogus Basin, heading W.
  7. 0.2 miTurn left onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading SW.
  8. 50 ftContinue straight onto Razorback, heading SW.
  9. 150 ftBear right onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading S.
  10. 50 ftBear left onto Razorback, heading S.
  11. 0.7 miContinue straight onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading W.
  12. 350 ftContinue straight onto Lolas Lookout, heading SW.
  13. 400 ftContinue straight onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading SW.
  14. 50 ftBear right onto Lolas Lookout, heading SW.
  15. 50 ftTurn right onto Rowton Peak Trail, heading SW.
  16. 50 ftPass Rowton.
  17. 0.5 miTurn left onto Bogus Basin, heading NW.
  18. 50 ftBear left onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading NW.
  19. 50 ftContinue straight onto Rowton Peak Trail, heading NW.
  20. 50 ftContinue straight onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading NW.
  21. 150 ftContinue straight onto Bogus Basin, heading NW.
  22. 150 ftContinue straight onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading NW.
  23. 50 ftContinue straight onto Bogus Basin, heading NW.
  24. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Tiny Tim, heading SW.
  25. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Switchback, heading S.
  26. 100 ftBear right onto Rowton Peak Trail, heading S.
  27. 50 ftThe loop closes back at the trailhead.

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

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/rowton-serene-lakes-loop-7-sights

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 6:48 AMSunset 7:03 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.0 mi in (~39 min). Leave by 6:04 PM for the 7:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:44 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 Rowton Peak Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Soda Springs, California