California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Circle

1.8 mi
round trip
305 ft
climb
4,957 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Circle open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Circle, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Stanislaus National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Circle is an easy out-and-back hike of about 1.8 miles in the Mi-Wok Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail climbs about 305 feet from a low point of 4,663 feet to a high point of 4,957 feet, and it stays open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the Calaveras Big Trees weather station, about 14 miles away, show July highs around 81°F with lows near 56°F, and only about one wet day a month from June through September. The trail has a natural surface and allows both horses and bikes. Fraser Flat campground is about a mile away, and Rushing Meadow is about 1.7 miles off. Paddlers can head to the South Fork Stanislaus River, roughly 1.9 miles away, and Pinecrest Day Use offers pier fishing about 5.6 miles out.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Junkyardsparkle, CC0 (commons)

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Circle

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      45° / 30°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      46° / 30°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 32°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 35°

      8 wet

    5. May

      63° / 42°

      6 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 49°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 56°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 55°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 51°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 43°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      52° / 34°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      44° / 30°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Calaveras Big Trees, CA, 14.4 mi away at 4,695 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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