May 27, 2004

We saved McGuire Peaks Loop for last because it is long (9.4 miles) and rated difficult. That plan may have been a mistake. It was hot and dry out there. It may have been cooler last month, but I was out of shape for such a long hike then. 

We started us the hill toward Flag Hill. This was one of my early Boy Scout campouts so I remembered the trail - all uphill. 

After a couple of descents and climbs we got to the McGuire Loop Road. The views from the back side of the loop were unexpected. We could almost see our house. 

We stopped at a bench under the peak and at lunch. We could see the bay, Sunol Golf Course, I-680, the SF Water District reservoir, Pleasanton Ridge, and Mt Diablo. 

After lunch we felt better and started on around the loop. We found Lower McGuire Trail marked by steel arrows and followed it down a steep gully back to Welch Creek Road. 

We were happy to see the group campsite. There was welcome shade and a water faucet there. We took a brief break before hiking the final 1.5 miles - all downhill - to the car.

An interesting, but warm hike. We saw as many snakes as people on the trail (3 each). There were plenty of pesky black flies that flew into our faces.