AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

Charquin Trail–Council Circle Trail, 3 sights

3.7 mi · ▲ 665 ft · 1 hr 34 min

Charquin Trail–Council Circle Trail, 3 sights is a 3.7-mile out-and-back in Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve near Vista Verde, CA. It climbs 665 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 72/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi1,650 – 2,225 ft · steepest grade: 19%3.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Audrey's Way 37.30733, -122.19825
Nearest town Vista Verde, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Charquin Trail–Council Circle Trail, 3 sights

3.7 mi · ▲ 665 ft · 1 hr 34 min

Elevation 1,650–2,226 ft

Out & Back · Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

Trailhead: Audrey's Way · 37.30733, -122.19825

Weather Aug 4: Clear, high 84°F / low 64° · precip 0% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:17 AM · sunset 8:15 PM

Horses allowed on the whole route · No dogs on part of this route · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Mindego Hill Trail, heading NW.
  2. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Charquin Trail, heading SW.
  3. 50 ftContinue straight onto Mindego Hill Trail, heading W.
  4. 1.4 miReach Mindego Hill Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  5. 1.4 miContinue straight onto Charquin Trail, heading SE.
  6. 50 ftContinue straight onto Mindego Hill Trail, heading E.
  7. 0.4 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/mindego-lake-mindego-lake-out-back-6-km-d922

Trail surface

75% dirt25% gravel

Weather

ClearTemperature 84°F64°
Precip0%Wind4 mphUV8Humidity23%
Hourly temperature
85°60°
Sunrise 6:17 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:15 PM
Wed 81°53°
Thu 89°50°
Fri 94°56°
Sat 90°53°
Sun 82°46°
Mon 77°46°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 7:55 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 8:15 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 8:43 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Horses allowed on the whole route
  • No dogs on part of this route
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Audrey's Way Trailhead

Hikes near Vista Verde, California