Pine Marten & Rowton Peak Trail via Switchback
5.3 mi · ▲ 477 ft · 2 hr
Pine Marten & Rowton Peak Trail via Switchback is a 5.3-mile out-and-back in Royal Gorge near Soda Springs, CA. It climbs 477 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 35/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Pine Marten & Rowton Peak Trail via Switchback
5.3 mi · ▲ 477 ft · 2 hr
Elevation 6,791–7,032 ft
Out & Back · Royal Gorge
Trailhead: Little Drop · 39.29089, -120.38279
Weather Sep 4: Rain, high 48°F / low 39° · precip 58% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:34 AM · sunset 7:29 PM
- Start on Little Drop, heading NE.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Tiny Tim, heading N.
- 500 ftContinue straight onto Switchback, heading NE.
- 100 ftBear right onto Rowton Peak Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Switchback, heading NE.
- 1.3 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Pine Marten, heading E.
- 0.5 miReach Rowton Peak Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.6 miTurn left onto Switchback, heading W.
- 1.3 miBear right onto Rowton Peak Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left onto Switchback, heading SW.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Tiny Tim, heading SW.
- 450 ftContinue straight onto Little Drop, heading SW.
- 450 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 (~33 min). Leave by 6:37 PM for the 7:29 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Little Drop Trailhead
- Rowton–Serene Lakes, 4 sights 2.5 mi · ▲ 726 ft
- Hellman Way & Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail Loop 3.1 mi · ▲ 512 ft
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