AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Royal Gorge

Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail via Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail

4.9 mi · ▲ 596 ft · 1 hr 56 min

Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail via Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail is a 4.9-mile out-and-back in Royal Gorge near Kingvale, CA. It climbs 596 ft, with sections as steep as 15% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 53/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi6,693 – 7,018 ft · steepest grade: 15%5.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail 39.31292, -120.40758
Nearest town Kingvale, CA
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail via Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail

4.9 mi · ▲ 596 ft · 1 hr 56 min

Elevation 6,695–7,017 ft

Out & Back · Royal Gorge

Trailhead: Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail · 39.31292, -120.40758

Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 83°F / low 54° · precip 0% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:13 PM

  1. Start on Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, heading SW.
  2. 150 ftTurn left, heading S.
  3. 0.7 miBear left, heading E.
  4. 0.4 miTurn right, heading S.
  5. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  6. 0.1 miTurn left, heading SE.
  7. 350 ftTurn right onto Reindeer, heading E.
  8. 0.9 miBear right onto Sterlings Canyon, heading SW.
  9. 300 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  10. 250 ftBear right onto Sterling's Canyon Road, heading S.
  11. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, heading S.
  12. 50 ftReach Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  13. 50 ftContinue straight onto Sterling's Canyon Road, heading S.
  14. 0.2 miBear left onto Sterlings Canyon, heading N.
  15. 0.1 miBear left onto Reindeer, heading NE.
  16. 0.9 miTurn left, heading NW.
  17. 350 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  18. 0.1 miBear right, heading N.
  19. 100 ftTurn left, heading N.
  20. 0.4 miBear right, heading W.
  21. 0.7 miTurn right onto Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail, heading NE.
  22. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/walter-and-esther-hewlett-royal-gorge-rim-trail-out-back-8-km

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

ClearTemperature 83°F54°
Precip0%Wind4 mphUV8Humidity26%
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°

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Kingvale, California