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| Hiking | 6.15 Miles |
1,036 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.15 Miles | 2 Hrs 41 Mns | | 2.51 mph |
| 1,036 ft AEG | 14 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | This is a "circumference" trail only in a loose sense. While it is roundish, it doesn't follow the perimeter of the Deem Hills on the south side. There, it cuts across some of the highest ground in the park as you travel from the quiet east parking lot to the noisy west one, from where I started a solo hike about 4:30.
MEWhiteman describes the trail as 5.7 mi. My distance of 6.15 tacks on about a quarter-mile from the west parking lot.
It was an uniteresting trek for this time of year until reaching the flats which run from the CAP to the east parking lot. Saw a large covey of Gambel's quail, a cactus wren and several doves.
The trail ascends rapidly in switchbacks after hitting the east lot. It took about 15 minutes of steep hiking to reach the jct of the Basalt Tr, 267' el above. Much black and porous basalt up here. At sunset, I was still up high with another hour to go. Was disheartened to discover the trail rose steadily again and turned very rocky after dropping down to the level of rooftops at nearby houses.
Darkness is imprecise. For me, it starts when I turn on the flashlight. That came at 6:45 as I stood at one of the highest points of the trail. My technique with the flashlight has evolved. I now stumble only a little bit by forcing the light about 6' in front rather than at my feet. I was surprised to find a young male jogger, skinny as a stick, going up the trail in semi-darkness as I traveled down.
It was a lonesome hike which suited me fine. Only six hikers, five bikers and the jogger in almost three hours. Had I to do it over, I would have parked in the east lot and got the steep part of the trail out of the way early on. Another time. |
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