Serene Lakes–Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, 3 sights
3.6 mi · ▲ 355 ft · 1 hr 23 min
Serene Lakes–Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, 3 sights is a 3.6-mile out-and-back in Royal Gorge near Soda Springs, CA. The route reaches Serene Lakes at the turnaround, 1.8 miles in. It climbs 355 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 35/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Serene Lakes–Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, 3 sights
3.6 mi · ▲ 355 ft · 1 hr 23 min
Elevation 6,895–7,054 ft
Out & Back · Royal Gorge
Trailhead: Summit Connection · 39.31316, -120.38663
Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 81°F / low 53° · precip 0% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:13 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 right, heading SW.
- 50 ftReach Serene Lakes, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftBear left onto Switchback, heading SW.
- 1.4 miTurn left, heading N.
- 300 ftBear left onto Summit Connection, heading N.
- 150 ftBear right onto Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftBear left onto Summit Connection, heading N.
- 0.3 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 0.8 mi in (~24 min). Leave by 7:29 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 Summit Connection Trailhead
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- Ana's Chute–Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, 4 sights 4.1 mi · ▲ 752 ft
- Claim Jumper Bike Route–Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, 5 sights 4.6 mi · ▲ 632 ft
- Claim Jumper Bike Route–Claim Jumper, 6 sights 5.2 mi · ▲ 864 ft
- Crows Nest–Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, 3 sights 5.2 mi · ▲ 1,352 ft
- Mount Disney–Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, 3 sights 5.9 mi · ▲ 1,728 ft
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