Big Ben Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Wildflowers · Wildlife

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

The trail starts from the trailhead on Kidd Lakes Road where there is ample off-road parking and is clearly 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. The trail is flat and relatively straight with good sight lines.

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.