(updated 1/8/13)
- Distance: 3.7 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 900 ft
- Maximum elevation: 7530 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate (steep climb at top)
- Start: Trailhead across from Ice Lakes Lodge
- Activities: Hike, mountain bike (part way)
Rowton Peak (39°17’18.84″N, 120°22’26.02″W) is located on the southeast side of Serene Lakes and offers spectacular views of the area. The trailhead is located at the end of the paved Soda Springs road across from Ice Lakes Lodge. Follow the Royal Gorge ski trail east and bear right up to the Tiny Tim ski trail. Follow the trail south through a meadow to the junction with the Sterling Canyon ski trail (this trail was renamed to Bogus Basin in 2012 but the signs still say Sterling Canyon). Head up the Sterling Canyon/Bogus Basin trail to the top of the ridge that overlooks Serene Lakes. Continue on this trail until the Bogus Basin warming hut and then turn right up the ski trail to the top of Razorback Ridge.
Go right along the ridge to the top of Rowton Peak. After taking in the views of Soda Springs basin continue northwest down along the ridge heading back towards Serene Lakes. Be sure to keep an eye out on the left for the natural bridge formation on the west side of the ridge (it is a little hard to spot from the trail). Proceed down the trail until it meets with the Sterling Canyon trail and retrace your route back down to the trail head.
Royal Gorge from Rowton Peak
Click map to view in Google Maps
Elevation Profile – roundtrip
Slideshow (Return to top)