AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Royal Gorge

Serene Lakes–Claim Jumper Bike Route Loop, 5 sights

6.9 mi · ▲ 970 ft · 2 hr 47 min

Serene Lakes–Claim Jumper Bike Route Loop, 5 sights is a 6.9-mile loop in Royal Gorge near Soda Springs, CA. The route reaches Serene Lakes. It climbs 970 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 45/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi6,693 – 7,333 ft · steepest grade: 20%7.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 39.30840, -120.40084
Nearest town Soda Springs, CA
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Serene Lakes–Claim Jumper Bike Route Loop, 5 sights

6.9 mi · ▲ 970 ft · 2 hr 47 min

Elevation 6,695–7,332 ft

Loop · Royal Gorge

Trailhead: 39.30840, -120.40084

Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 83°F / low 54° · precip 0% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:13 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 0.5 miBear left, heading E.
  3. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, heading NE.
  4. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  5. 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
  6. 350 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  7. 0.2 miBear right, heading SE.
  8. 50 ftBear left, heading E.
  9. 250 ftBear left onto Summit Connection, heading E.
  10. 0.5 miBear right onto Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, heading E.
  11. 50 ftBear left onto Summit Connection, heading E.
  12. 100 ftBear right, heading E.
  13. 350 ftTurn right onto Switchback, heading SE.
  14. 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
  15. 0.9 miSharp right onto Aster, heading E.
  16. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Claim Jumper Bike Route, heading S.
  17. 0.2 miBear right onto Claim Jumper, heading SW.
  18. 0.4 miBear right onto Switchback, heading W.
  19. 0.4 miBear right onto Rowton Peak Trail, heading S.
  20. 50 ftBear left onto Switchback, heading S.
  21. 50 ftPass Serene Lakes.
  22. 50 ftContinue straight onto Tiny Tim, heading SW.
  23. 50 ftContinue straight onto Switchback, heading SW.
  24. 350 ftContinue straight onto Reindeer, heading SW.
  25. 1.1 miTurn left, heading NW.
  26. 350 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  27. 250 ftBear right, heading NW.
  28. 150 ftBear left, heading NW.
  29. 0.2 miBear left, heading N.
  30. 250 ftSharp left, heading W.
  31. 0.2 miTurn left, heading NE.
  32. 200 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  33. 0.5 miTurn right, heading W.
  34. 0.2 miTurn right onto Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, heading N.
  35. 100 ftBear left, heading NW.
  36. 350 ftTurn right, heading W.
  37. 500 ftSharp right, heading W.
  38. 0.2 miSharp right, heading N.
  39. 0.2 miThe 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/serene-lakes-claim-jumper-bike-route-loop-5-sights-5379

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

ClearTemperature 83°F54°
Precip0%Wind5 mphUV8Humidity23%
Hourly temperature
85°50°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:13 PM
Tue 82°60°
Wed 82°56°
Thu 86°56°
Fri 86°56°
Sat 87°57°
Sun 88°55°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.1 mi in (~66 min). Leave by 6:47 PM for the 8:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Other ways to reach this destination

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Soda Springs, California