Sunday Burro Hike - Up, Up and Away (aka Deception Peak)

PLEASE NOTE 9:00 START TIME!

I like hiking to Deception Peak with my Group by this route as it allows for hikers to choose their distance, elevation gain & difficulty level, thus accommodating many in the Group who might not want the full hike. We will all begin together at the Aspen Vista TH, & hike up the immediately steep and steady Tessa Trail (to the left of the Service Road, aka Alamo Vista trail) through Carl's Meadow, where some may choose to turn around, ending their hike at this point. I think most will continue up to the Chair Lift, another turnaround option. Others will continue their climb up to Tesuque Peak (Cell Towers) at 12,000 feet, can end their climb there, & return the same way back. Still others (those most hardy and wanting the fullest climb) will go on up to Deception Peak at about 12,200/12,300 feet altitude (about 6 or 7 miles RT). From the cell towers over to Deception Peak is more of a gradual/lateral elevation gain. Everyone will need to carpool according to which distance they plan to hike. I've done this before with this Group, and it's worked well. All get the hike they want!

Burro hikes are considered moderate by our standards, usually 4-7 miles in distance, typically on designated trails, unless otherwise specified. Newcomers are welcome. I do ask that prior to your first hike with this Group, you please test your fitness by timing yourself hiking up & down Atalaya, using Steep Route option, starting at either Wilderness Gate or the Staircase. You need to be able to do this comfortably in 3 1/2 hours or less in order to insure that you're a good match for our pace & the type of terrain we often hike. If you have any questions about Atalaya, or about my hikes in general, please feel free to text me.

Ronnie Chafel, 617-331-1838

Non-aggressive, well-mannered dogs are welcome on all my hikes.

We meet at the DeVargas Mall parking lot (back lot, behind the stores); please park in a lane near the bowling alley, but not right up against the mall wall. We carpool together to all THs. Please offer your driver $2 to help with gas expense for this hike. We like to leave promptly, if you're running just a bit late, text me & we'll wait up to 5 minutes for you.

PLEASE be considerate of those on Wait List & sign off hike as soon as you know you cannot attend, preferably 12-24 hours in advance, when possible. PLEASE DO NOT NO SHOW. Repeated No Shows have consequences!