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Rockslides Trail

ModerateCalifornia · United States

GPX
Distance
6.9 km (4.3 mi)
Elevation gain
805 m (2,641 ft)
Typical time
2 hr 39 min
Difficulty
Moderate
Route type
Point to point
Highest point
1,764 m (5,787 ft)

About Rockslides Trail

Rockslides Trail is a 6.9 km hiking route in California, United States. It climbs roughly 805 m (2,641 ft) along the way, topping out at 1,764 m (5,787 ft). Most people take around 2 hr 39 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. It sits firmly in moderate territory: enough climbing to feel like a proper day out, never enough to become a slog.

The character of the walk comes from the landscape it crosses rather than a single headline sight, which is exactly why it stays quiet even in high season.

Start and finish are in different places, which means public transport or a second car is part of the planning. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.

The route usually comes into condition in June and stays good until the first serious autumn weather.

In short, Rockslides Trail suits regular walkers who want a full day without technical ground. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.

Route map

Moderate6.9 km805 m

Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation

Elevation

Elevation profile

Ascent
+805 m
Descent
265 m
High
1,764 m (5,787 ft)
Low
1,224 m (4,016 ft)
1159 m1327 m1494 m1661 m1829 m0.0 km1.7 km3.4 km5.0 km6.7 km

The route in detail

The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The steepest pitch runs at roughly 52 percent, short but enough to slow most people to a crawl. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.

Highlights

  • High point of 1,764 m (5,787 ft)

Know before you go

Best season
June to October
Waymarked
Not consistently
Surface
Mixed natural surface
Dogs
Not recorded, check locally
Wheelchair access
Not accessible
Entrance fee
No fee recorded
Camping
Not recorded
Drinking water
Carry your own
Toilets
Not recorded
Mobile coverage
Patchy on the upper sections
Parking
Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
Emergency
112 in Europe, 911 in North America

How this trail scores

Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.

Scenery
50/100

Terrain features, relief and photographic interest

Adventure
30/100

Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is

Difficulty
36/100

Effort index from distance and climbing

Accessibility
43/100

Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it

Family
24/100

Suitability for children who already walk

Dogs
62/100

Access rules, terrain and water along the way

Tips from the trail

  • Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
  • Aim for june to october for the most reliable conditions.
  • Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
  • Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.

Warnings

  • Some sections are steep enough to be awkward in the wet, particularly on the way down.
  • Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.

Safety

Emergency services in United States are reached on 911. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage in the upper sections is patchy at best, so do not count on being able to call for help from the summit. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.

What to bring

  • Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
  • Weatherproof jacket
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Trekking poles for the descent
  • Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
  • Small first aid kit including blister plasters

Photography

Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.

Frequently asked questions

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