Point Mariah Hiking Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail is part of the Royal Gorge ski trails in the winter and is a popular hiking trail in the summer. It is part of a network of connected trails that access the open space area in the southern Donner Summit area.

The tread of the trail is well worn and easy to follow out to the rocky promontory that is Mariah Pt. The view from the point of the Pacific Crest, American River headwaters basin, and the Royal Gorge is spectacular. As the name implies, the point can be quite windy at times.

The trail cuts through a Jeffrey pine/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, bears and the occasional mountain lion. There is a wide variety of Northern Sierra birdlife.