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This trail crosses the Crystal Range over Rockbound Pass, connecting Wrights Lake to the Rubicon Trail.


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Map Key

7.7

Miles

12.4

KM

84%

Runnable

8,518' 2,596 m

High

6,967' 2,124 m

Low

1,728' 527 m

Up

1,225' 374 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

31%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

All but the start of the trail is in the Desolation Wilderness. Sign in is required for day use, and permits are always required to camp overnight here. Brush up on current wilderness rules before entering.

Runner Notes

This is pretty friendly to trail runners as wilderness trails go. Don't expect any harrowing sections.

Description

From the Rockbound Trailhead parking lot next to Wrights Lake, the trail winds through a forest, passing Beauty Lake early on. The shade disperses gradually as it also passes junctions with several other trails: Beauty Lake, Twin Lakes Tie, Old Corral Loop, Tyler, and Red Peak. As alpine granite comes into view, the trail enters its sustained steepest section up to Maude Lake, sometimes with the aid of engineered steps, then onto its highest elevation at Rockbound Pass (having climbed over 1,500 vertical feet and 6 1/2 miles from the trailhead. This is a fine place to refuel, rest, and enjoy the views all around.

From the pass, the trail passes a junction with Blakely Trail (a short distance north along which is Lois Lake). The final section winds downhill into the woods a short distance, before ending in a T-intersection with the famous Rubicon Trail, deep in the heart of the Desolation Wilderness.

Flora & Fauna

High Sierra conifer forests, meadows, alpine talus fields with marmots and pikas, and other cool mountain wildlife can all be found along this trail.

Contacts

Shared By:

Justin Johnsen with improvements by Michael Cruz

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 4 votes

#11462

Overall
  4.0 from 4 votes
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Trail Rankings

#1,106

in California

#11,462

Overall
8 Views Last Month
6,662 Since Jul 27, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Looking up at Rockbound Pass from Lake Doris. Still quite a bit of snow in August.
Aug 14, 2019 near South L…, CA
Looking west from the top of the pass.
Jun 5, 2022 near South L…, CA
Maud lake, facing Rockbound Pass.
Jun 5, 2022 near South L…, CA
Rockbound Trail view east from Rockbound Pass
Mar 22, 2019 near South L…, CA
Moonrise at Beauty Lake
Sep 24, 2018 near South L…, CA
The Start
Sep 24, 2018 near South L…, CA

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