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 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 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 6:20 PM for the 7:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:42 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
- Mount Judah Viewpoint–Pacific Crest Viewpoint, 7 sights 11.8 mi · ▲ 1,434 ft
- Tunnel Rock–Petroglyph Cliff, 5 cliffs 8.9 mi · ▲ 935 ft
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