Bogus Basin Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail is open to mountain bikes and dogs.

This multi-track trail is a ski trail in the winter and a popular running trail in the summer. It climbs to the ridge on east side the Serene Lakes community. It winds through the Lodgepole/Fir forest of the Royal Gorge open space area on Donner Summit and affords scenic views of the Serene Lakes basin. The trail is part of a network of trails that provide access to the open space area (see map for connecting trails).

The trail connects to the Claim Jumper Trail at the east end. The trail is marked by ski trail signs posted along the trail. It can be traversed in both directions and is open to hiking, running and mountain biking in the summer and skiing in the winter. During the snowy months, it is usually groomed for both Nordic and skate skiing by the resort. Heading east, the trail climbs steeply up to the ridge line for approximately a 1/4 mile and then rolls up and down along the ridge. It also passes the Bogus Basin ski warming hut maintained by the Royal Gorge Ski Resort.

The trail cuts through a Lodgepole/Fir forest and during the summer is populated by a large collection of Sierra wildflowers. The forest is the home to deer, ground squirrels, bobcat, martens, coyotes and the occasional mountain lion. There is a wide variety of Northern Sierra birdlife.