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
Getting there
Directions
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 Sep 20: sunrise 6:56 AM · sunset 7:10 PM
Horses allowed on the whole route · No dogs on part of this route · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Mindego Hill Trail, heading NW.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Charquin Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Mindego Hill Trail, heading W.
- 1.4 miReach Mindego Hill Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.4 miContinue straight onto Charquin Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Mindego Hill Trail, heading E.
- 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 surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:50 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:10 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:36 PM.
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
- Borel Hill–Ridge Viewpoint, 4 sights 7.1 mi · ▲ 967 ft
- Ipiwa Viewpoint–Horseshoe Viewpoint, 6 sights 7.7 mi · ▲ 1,483 ft
- Ipiwa Viewpoint–Alpine Pond, 3 sights 4.8 mi · ▲ 743 ft
- Alpine Pond & Butano View Trail via Ipiwa Trail 5.3 mi · ▲ 925 ft
- New Ancient Oaks Trail 2.9 mi · ▲ 472 ft
- New Ancient Oaks Trail 2.9 mi · ▲ 508 ft
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Hikes near Vista Verde, California