Rowton Peak Trail & Switchback
4.5 mi · ▲ 411 ft · 1 hr 42 min
Rowton Peak Trail & Switchback is a 4.5-mile out-and-back in Royal Gorge near Soda Springs, CA. It climbs 411 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 31/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Rowton Peak Trail & Switchback
4.5 mi · ▲ 411 ft · 1 hr 42 min
Elevation 6,755–7,033 ft
Out & Back · Royal Gorge
Trailhead: 39.32146, -120.37984
Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 83°F / low 54° · precip 0% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:13 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 150 ftBear left, heading S.
- 0.5 miSharp right onto Summit Connection, heading W.
- 0.3 miBear left, 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.
- 50 ftReach Switchback, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftBear right onto Rowton Peak Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left onto Switchback, heading SW.
- 1.4 miTurn left, heading N.
- 300 ftBear right onto Summit Connection, heading N.
- 0.3 miSharp left, heading NE.
- 0.5 miBear right, heading N.
- 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 1.2 mi in (~37 min). Leave by 7:15 PM for the 8:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail–Summit Connection Loop, 3 sights 3 mi · ▲ 583 ft
- Pine Marten 3 mi · ▲ 139 ft
- Serene Lakes & Switchback 4.5 mi · ▲ 411 ft
- Benches Viewpoint & Switchback 4.6 mi · ▲ 686 ft
- Overload & Switchback via Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail 4.7 mi · ▲ 707 ft
- Bill & Flora's Point–Benches Viewpoint, 5 sights 5.3 mi · ▲ 909 ft
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