PLEASE NOTE 9:30 START TIME! AFTERNOON RAIN IS CURRENTLY FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY, I THINK WE CAN COMPLETE THIS HIKE PRIOR TO RAIN, BUT ADVISE ALL TO BRING RAINGEAR.
I think you all know that I like those routes with a "punch of a workout" to them, especially if distance isn't lengthy, & this trail definitely delivers! Don't let lower mileage fool you, this is a steep & sustained climb up, & relatively steep downhill, but switchbacks make it fully doable without difficulty.
The West Circle Trail is a 3 mile loop, a short distance, but you'll get a "bang for your buck" in terms of a work-out. We park about 1/2way up Hyde Park Rd, in the Black Canyon parking lot, walk a bit parallel to the road to the Lodge where we cross the street and begin the Loop. The trail is immediately steep and sustained for about 1.5 + miles, up and up and up, to picnic tables at the summit where we will have our rest/snack stop. That's our work-out. Then down about 1 mile or so back to Hyde Park Road. If enough hikers wish, we'll then cross back to the other side of the road, and follow the East Circle Trail, an easy trail to the Waterfall. Then back to the cars for a total of maybe 5 or so miles.
Just for a change of pace, so to speak, I may like for us to climb up to the picnic tables for our break, but instead of hiking down the other side, return the way we hiked up. Some have voiced not loving the walk back parallel to the road, & trails always look different when we hike them in the opposite manner that we customarily do. So keep this in mind, I'll go with whatever majority of Group prefers.
Those who've gone to "The Waterfall" often in the past, or simply prefer not to include this section of the hike, can choose to end their hike with the West Circle Loop, a total of 3/3.5 miles. Hikers need to determine their preference prior to leaving DeVargas, in order to carpool accordingly for the length/time they plan to hike.
Burro Hikes are for experienced hikers, most of our hikes are moderate in difficulty (by our standards), usually on designated trails, typically 4-6 miles in distance unless otherwise specified.
Non-aggressive, well-mannered dogs are welcome on all my hikes (unless otherwise specified, some locations prohibit dogs).
Newcomers are welcome on all my hikes; I ask that newcomers please test your fitness for my Group by timing yourself hiking up and down Atalaya, which you should be able to do comfortably in 3 1/2 hours or less (starting from Wilderness Gate or staircase, using Steep Route option). If you have any questions about this, or about my hikes in general, please feel free to contact me through Meet Up Messaging or by text.
Ronnie Chafel 617-331-1838
We meet at the DeVargas Mall, in the back of the parking lot, behind the stores; please park in a lane near the bowling alley, but not right up against the mall wall. We carpool to all THs. Please offer your driver $2 to cover gas expense for this hike. We leave promptly, so if you're running just a bit late, text me, & we'll wait 5 minutes for you.
Please be considerate of those on the Wait List & sign off hike as soon as you know you cannot attend, preferably 24 hours in advance, if at all possible. PLEASE DO NOT NO SHOW. Repeated No Shows have consequences.
