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Nature Explorers of the East Bay
Here are some of our previous hikes. See our current hike schedule and main page to learn more about Nature Explorers of the East Bay (NEEB).
Tuesday, June 1st, 2004
Portola Redwoods State Park
++++++++++++++CANCELLED++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I will schedule this hike for later in the summer, sorry about any inconvenience!
Details:
Portola Redwoods is like a smaller and much less crowded hike through Muir Woods, with some meadows and maybe small waterfalls thrown in. The full hike is 5 miles, but we can cut it shorter if desired. Most of the hike will be under a redwood tree canopy, and will be rather level, with almost no hills. Note that there aren't any gas staions or stores near the park. Be prepared for cooler weather, since Portola is closer to the ocean than most of our hikes and we'll be hiking under the trees. Otherwise, bring plenty of water and a lunch!
Directions:
From Highway 280 in San Mateo County, exit Woodside Road (Highway 84). Drive west about 6 miles to the junction with Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard). Turn left and drive south about 7 miles to the junction with Alpine Road. Turn right and drive west about 3 tortuous and winding miles on this narrow road (be careful of bicycle and motorcycles). Turn left onto Portola State Park Road, and drive on the tiny and unpredictable road the remaining 3 miles to the entrance kiosk. Continue another .4 mile to the parking areas near the ranger station. If possible park in the Madrone lot (to the left just before the ranger station), or in the spots past the ranger station and across the bridge, on the right side of the road. (NOTE: do not be confused or tempted by the Alpine Road exit on Highway 280. That section of Alpine Road deadends east of Skyline Boulevard.) Due to mountain roads, expect a 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive from most Bay Area locations.
++++++++++++++++CANCELLED++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2004
King's Canyon Loop at Upper San Leandro Reservoir
Note: I tried to get 3-4 day permits(which is good for your immediate family and 3 additional people) from the watershed office today (21st of June), but apparently people need to get their own EBMUD trail permits. It only cost 2.50$, and the office is just a few miles from the Highway 24 exit. Instead of turning right onto Camino Pablo, turn left at the light. Head north, and after you cross Bear Creek Road, look for the big brown "EBMUD Watershed Office" sign on the right. Turn right and turn right again into the first driveway and park at the brown building. To get to the hike, head back down Camino Pablo, and follow the directions below once you cross the freeway. It will only take about 10 minutes to run to the office for a permit, but I'll wait for a bit at the trailhead just in case there are any problems.
Description:
This 3 mile hike will be on part of King's Canyon Loop Trail, the part circling the reservoir for some cool breezes. From the preview, the very first 0.2 miles are the hottest and least shady, but once we reached the reservoir, we had some shade and a cool breeze on a moderately hot day. Shorts and lots of cold water (freeze a partially filled water bottle the night before to keep the water cold) might be a good idea! The trail is also pretty flat once we get to the water, with just gentle changes in slope.
Directions: From Highway 24 in Orinda, take the Orinda Moraga exit and go southeast (turn right at the light) on Camino Pablo which soon becomes Moraga Way. Go 4.6 miles to Canyon Rd., turn right, and go 1.1 miles to EBMUD's Villa Vista parking area, which is on the left side of the road.
If you have an EBMUD trail permit already, you can also access the trailhead via Redwood Road in Oakland. Head east on Redwood Road from Highway 13, and take this twisting and turning road to Pinehurst (stop sign). Turn left onto Pinehurst and then after a few more miles, turn right onto Canyon. The Villa Vista trailhead will be on the right hand side. You can also take Redwood Road from Castro Valley,just turn right onto Pinehurst when you reach it.
Tuesday, July 6th, 2004
Bear Creek Trail at Briones Reservoir
Bear Creek Trail, at Briones Reservoir
This trail goes for 4 miles, but we will probably turn around at the 1.5 - 2 mile point, since the first part of the trail is along the shore of the Briones Reservoir, and is level and shaded (with a wide variety of California trees and shrubs) in most areas.
Directions: Take Highway 24 to the Orinda exit (on the Contra Costa side of 24, near the Caldecott tunnel), and go 2.2 miles northwest on Camino Pablo to a junction with Bear Creek road. Turn right and go 4.2 miles to EBMUD's Bear Creek Staging Area, just past the junction with Happy Valley Road.
Tuesday, July 20th 2004
Portola Redwoods State Park/ Pescadero Creek County Park
Descriptions:
Finding a truly cool hike in the East Bay in the summer is tough, so I ventured over to the pennisula for a hike at Portola Redwoods. Portola Redwoods is like a cooler and much less crowded hike through Muir Woods, with some meadows and maybe small waterfalls thrown in. The full hike on Sequoia Nature and Iverson Trails is 5 miles, but we can cut it shorter if desired. Most of the hike will be under a redwood tree canopy, and will be rather level, with almost no hills.
It is a bit of a drive, but if you've never been in any of the state parks in this region, you'll be in for a lovely surprise.
For pictures, see Bay Area Hiker's website:
http://www.bahiker.com/slideshows/south/portolapics2.html
Directions:
From Highway 280 in San Mateo County from the East Bay, take the San Mateo Bridge and continue on HIghway 92 until you reach 280. Head south, exit Woodside Road (Highway 84). Drive west about 6 miles to the junction with Highway 35/Skyline Boulevard. Turn left and drive south about 7 miles to the junction with Alpine Road. Turn right and drive west about 3 tortuous and winding miles on this narrow road (keep an eye out for bicycle and motorcycle traffic). Turn left onto Portola State Park Road, and drive on the tiny and unpredictable road the remaining 3 miles to the entrance kiosk. Continue another .4 mile to the parking areas near the ranger station. If possible park in the Madrone lot (to the left just before the ranger station), or in the spots past the ranger station and across the bridge, on the right side of the road. (NOTE: do not be confused or tempted by the Alpine Road exit on Highway 280. That section of Alpine Road deadends east of Skyline Boulevard.)
If you are coming from the lower pennisula, you can also take Page Mill Road to Skyline, but note that Page Mill is very twisty-turny and slow. Just turn right at Skyline and go a small distance to the intersection with Alpine - follow directions above to park.
Details:
There will be a $5 entrance fee (self-register at ranger station if kiosk is unmanned). Restrooms are available near the ranger station. Note that there aren't any gas staions or stores near the park. Be prepared for cooler weather, since Portola is closer to the ocean than most of our hikes and we'll be hiking under the trees. Otherwise, bring plenty of water and a lunch!
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004
Stream Trail at Redwood Regional Park
Stream Trail is a trail with 100 year old redwoods (second growth) and it is a mostly shady and cooler hike, with some hiking along creeks. As the author says, in my "East Bay Trails" book, "Kids can search for different kinds of ferns along creekbanks and turn over old logs to find salamanders and creepy crawlies". If the weather is cooler, we'll do a loop with French Trail or West Ridge, otherwise we'll stay on cool Stream Trail and just turn around at the 1.5 mile point.
Directions: Take the Redwood Road exit off Highway 13 (Warren Freeway) and follow Redwood Road east to Skyline Blvd. Turn left onto Skyline and follow it along the crest of the Oakland Hills, veering to the right near the junction of Skyline and Joaquin Miller Road. It is easy to miss Skyline, since it really is an intersection (with a traffic light), but there is a lane that curves into Skyline. From the intersection with Joaquin Miller, continue about 3.2 miles along Skyline (you'll pass Chabot Space and Science Center)to the Skyline Gate Staging Area on the right hand side of the road. Note that if you're coming from the south end of Highway 13, you'll take the Carson St./Redwood Road exit, where you'll go straight at the stop sign, and then right onto Redwood Road at the first light you meet. Continue on Redwood until Skyline, and follow rest of previous directions.
Tuesday, August 17th, 2004
McNee Ranch State Park
The challenge in late summer here in the Bay Area is to find cool hikes. This is a bit of a drive from the East Bay, but promises to have cool breezes and beautiful views.
Directions:
From Highway 1 in San Mateo County, drive about 4 miles south of the last Pacifica traffic signal (Linda Mar). Turn left into the small parking lot (or park a little further south in the lot on the right side of the road). The trailhead is not well signed, and is easier to find coming north. You'll find parking for about 6 cars (more in two other lots; one further south a few hundred feet, on the right, and the other, with lots of parking, about 0.5 mile north on the left, or west side of the road). There are no entrance or parking fees.
Tuesday, Sept. 7th, 2004
Bayview and Red Hill Trail at Coyote Hills Regional Park
Description: This will be a 2 mile, mostly flat hike on the parts of the Bayview trail that take us by the bay and then over Red Hill, and also by the marshes on the boardwalk. Coyote Hills is a beautiful regional park, with wonderful views, a boardwalk through the marshes on the other side of Patterson Ranch Road, and Red Hill, which is a fun climb for the kids. The breezes from the bay will help to keep us cool if the weather is hot elsewhere.
Bayview is all paved, and the boardwalk out to the marshes is wood and right next to the water, but still stroller okay. You won't be able to do Red Hill, but you'll probably catch up with us as the hill tends to slow us down!
Directions:
If you're coming from the East Bay, just head for the toll plaza on the Dunbarton Bridge (Decoto Road, or Dunbarton Bridge exit off 880), and take the Thornton Ave./Paseo Padre Parkway exit (about 0.5 miles before the actual toll plaza). Go north on Paseo Parkway (to the right from the freeway), and drive a mile to Patterson Ranch Road. You'll see a sign for the road a little before reaching it and a little left turn lane, but there is no light; if you do reach a traffic light, you've gone too far. Don't be fooled by the sign labelled "Commerce" on the right hand side of the road, it really is Patterson Ranch if you turn left. Take Patterson Ranch Road to the entrance kiosk (it was unmanned when we went, but it'll be 4 dollars if manned, and there is no alternate parking), and continue on past the first parking area to the second parking area (you won't be able to go any further) and find parking.
Coming from the pennisula: There is a Thornton Ave. exit immediately after coming off the bridge. Take this and head north - Thornton turns into Paseo Padre Parkway as you cross 84. See above for the rest of the directions.
Tuesday, Sept. 21st, 2004
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
**********Cancelled************Cancelled****************Cancelled************
Description:
Our 3.6 mile hike on Whittemore Gulch Trail and NorthRidge Trail traverses the pretty forested and chaparral slopes of the preserve, allows us to take in the stunning views south, west, and north, but turns back before the last stretch of North Ridge Trail(which adds about 1000 feet of steep climbing). It's a nice hike to take for a picnic on a sunny day.
Directions:
From Highway 280 in San Mateo County, exit Highway 92 west. Drive to the junction with Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard), and turn south. Drive about 4.25 miles, to the signed parking lot on the right side of the road.
******************Cancelled*****************Cancelled***********************
Tuesday, Oct 5th, 2004
Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve
9am Tuesday bulletin: My youngest and I were all set to come today (eldest was sick with fever and sore throat yesterday), but he and I are obviously sick this morning and don't want to get anyone else sick. It's looking very foggy over here in the East Bay, but I don't see any rain. There is only one path that loops around Huckleberry (see map) and has hilly spots you might need to climb a little if you choose to come anyway!
Huckleberry is a botanic preserve that is wonderful to see in the fall and even winter with a nice variety of plants and trees. It is definitely not suitable for strollers, but I'll try to preview and pick a path that isn't as hilly as the one we did a few years ago.
Directions:
There are three ways to get the preserve:
If you know Berkeley, take Claremont Ave. and head north (from Highway 24, exit Claremont. Drive about 1.5 miles northeast on Claremont Avenue to the intersection with Ashby). Continue straight through the light at the intersection on Claremont Avenue , and then bear right (Claremont Boulevard veers left, Claremont Ave. continues to the right) . You should see the Claremont Hotel on the right, as well as a brown "parks" sign for Tilden and Sibley Parks. Continue on Claremont about 2 miles to the intersection with Grizzly Peak Boulevard. Turn right and drive about 2.4 miles to the intersection with Skyline Boulevard. Turn left onto Skyline. Drive about 0.5 mile, and turn left into the preserve parking lot.
You can also take Highway 24 through the tunnel and exit immediately after the tunnel on Fish Ranch Road. Go around the curvy exit, and then turn right at the building (electrical station?) to stay on Fish Ranch. At the first stop sign, turn left on Grizzly Peak Blvd. and continue 2.4 miles to the intersection with Skyline Blvd. Turn left onto Skyline, drive about 0.5 miles and turn left into the preserve parking lot. This is a little bit out of the way, but it minimizes the driving on the twisty turny roads!
If you are very adventurous, take Highway 13 south from Berkeley. Exit at Joaquin Miller. At the foot of the exit ramp, make a left, then take the next left, and then go straight onto Joaquin Miller (If you were heading north on 13, just aim for the hills!). Drive uphill about 1 mile, then turn left onto Skyline (there's a brown parks sign before the turn, and a traffic light). Drive about 4.7 miles (past the Chabot Space Center and Redwood Park trailhead), then turn right into the parking lot.
Tuesday, Nov. 2nd, 2004
Sibley Volcanic Preserve - Round Top Trail
We're going to try to do Sibley again, so I'm hoping for no rain.
Description: This is an easy 2.6 mile hike that circles Round Top, an extinct volcano and one of the highest peaks in the Oakland hills, amd continues on the Volcanic Trail, which also has a self guided tour (map and information available at the site).
Directions:
From Hwy. 24 just east of the Caldecott Tunnel, take the Fish Ranch Road exit (from either westbound or eastbound on 24), and go uphill about 1 mile to the first stop sign, which will be an inersection with Grizzly Peak Road. Turn left onto Grizzly Peak and go 2.5 miles to Skyline Blvd. Turn left and go 0.1 mile to the preserve entrance, on the left.
You can also take Highway 13, and exit off Park Blvd. Take this to Mountain Blvd., and turn left. Turn right on Snake Road (very twisty and turny), and take this all the way to Skyline Blvd., and turn left. The preserve will be on the right in less than a mile.
Tuesday, Nov. 16th, 2004
Mt.Diablo State Park, Donner Canyon and Waterfalls
Mt.Diablo is always better to visit in the winter; the summer season doesn't have the lush vegetation and cool temperatures that make hiking there so fun. This hike will venture down Donner Canyon Road, and perhaps making it to the falls, but otherwise, we'll stick to a less hilly route, using Tick Wood Trail and Back Wood Trail.
Directions:
From Highway 24 or 680 in Contra Costa County, exit Ygnacio Valley Road (at the 680 split). Drive east on Ygnacio Valley Road about 7 miles, then turn south (right) on Clayton Road. Drive south on Clayton Road (which becomes Marsh Creek Road in Clayton) about 3 miles, and turn right on Regency Road. Drive to the trailhead at the end of the road.
Parking is on the side of the road at the edge of a residential neighborhood. There are no entrance or parking fees, no toilet facilities and no water.
Tuesday, Dec. 7th, 2004
Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge
*************Cancelled Due to Rain**********************
9:10 am, Tuesday am...I hate to cancel, but the rain clouds to the east have already moved west in 30 minutes, and with the rain last night, the trails and paths at Don Edwards are going to be very mucky and muddy. Sorry!
Description: This is an easy 1.3 mile hike (on the Tidelands Trail) for a wonderful opportunity to see the variety of birds that make this refuge their winter home. You'll want to bring binoculars and maybe a bird guide (I'll have mine). This refuge is the nation's largest urban wildlife refuge, and is home to more than 300 species of birds and other wildlife, either year-round or during migration. We'll see salt ponds, Newark Slough and marsh land with lots of shorebirds looking for food in the mud.
Directions: From Berkeley/Oakland/Fremont, take 880 to Highway 84 (which is the Dunbarton Bridge exit), and exit at Thornton Ave./Paseo Padre Parkway. Turn left and go south 0.5 miles to Marshlands Rd., the entrance to the refuge (there is a huge sign labelled "Don Edwards SF Wildlife Refuge"). Turn right and go 0.5 miles to a stop sign, and then left into a parking area. The visitor center is up a small hill right above the parking area, we'll meet in the front of the visitor center.
From the pennisula, take the Dunbarton Bridge to the Thornton Ave. exit (right after the toll plaza), and turn right on Thornton to head to Marshlands Rd. Follow rest of directions above.
Tuesday, Dec. 21st, 2004
Bort Meadow Staging Area, Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Description:
This hike is in the northern part of Anthony Chabot Regional Park, not the southern part with the marina. We'll hike about 4 miles, using the Grass Valley, Cascade and Goldenrod trails with a little bit of climbing through meadow and open fields, and an occasional forested section.
Directions:
aIf you'recoming from San Francisco, head for eastbound 580 after crossing the bridge, and then Highway 24. Exit to the right on south Highway 13. Drive about 4 miles south and exit Redwood. Turn left onto Redwood and drive uphill about 0.5 mile, to the junction with Skyline Boulevard. Stay in the left lane, and continue straight on Redwood about 4.3 miles, to the trailhead on the right side of the road.
From westbound Highway 580 in Alameda County, take the Castro Valley exit to Castro Valley Blvd. Turn left on Castro Valley Blvd., then right on Redwood Road. Drive north about 6 miles to the trailhead on the left side of the road.
Tuesday, Jan 18th,2005
Tilden Regional Park, Inspiration Point Trailhead
Description:
Tilden Park in Berkeley contains a public golf course, botanic garden, extensive picnic and camping, environmental education center, swimming lake, pony ride, little farm, and steam trains (in the southern part). Tilden can get crowded, especially in the summer, but this hike will take advantage of the quieter winter months and start at Inspiration Point, a lesser used trailhead. We do about a 3 mile hike, on Meadow Canyon, Wildcat Gorge and then Curran Trail back to the parking lot. There will be a few hills, but most of the hike will be relatively flat.
If you have any questions about the directions, please email me at kkonrad1@ix.netcom.com.
Directions:
If you are coming from San Francisco, take 580 east after the Bay Bridge, and then exit on Highway 24, heading east. Continue on 24 until you go through the tunnel, and then exit immediately on Fish Ranch Road to the right. After you exit off the hairpin turn, go straight for roughly 100 yards, and then turn right to stay on Fish Ranch Road (there is a utility building at the turn). You will go back over the freeway and drive roughly a mile to the first stop sign, which is the intersection with Grizzly Peak Rd. Turn right at the stop sign and stay on Grizzly Peak until you reach Shasta Rd. (once you've passed the first stop sign on Grizzly peak, which is Centennial Dr., Shasta Dr. will be coming up soon). Turn right on Shasta Dr., and then turn right again on Wildcat Canyon Drive. Stay on Wildcat for less then 2 miles to the parking lot of Inspiration Point on the left side of the road.
If you're coming from San Leandro/Castro Valley or Fremont, take 580 west to the Highway 13 exit (in Oakland). Take Highway 13 north to the east Highway 24 exit ramp (on the right hand side). Continue on Highway 24 to the tunnel (you'll hit it very soon), and stay on the right to exit at Fish Ranch Road, which is immediately after the tunnel on the right. See the directions above for the rest.
Tuesday, Feb 1st, 2005
Los Vaqueros Watershed
Description:
We'll be hiking the Black Hills Trail near the entry kiosk, for about 3 miles. Los Vaqueros is a watershed (with a beautiful reservoir) that contains rolling grassland hills and slopes covered in oak and chaparral that make you feel as though you are in the middle of nowhere. This trail is an uphill climb for the first 1/2 mile, but the views are fabulous!
Directions:
Take 580 east towards Livermore. At the east end of Livermore, exit at Vasco Road, heading north (you don't want to head toward Lawrence Livermore Labs, but instead toward Brentwood). Stay on Vasco Road for roughly 4.5 miles - you will pass a residential area, and then it will turn into a somewhat busy rural road - until you reach Los Vaqueros Road. There will be a sign right before the turnoff labelled "Los Vaqueros Watershed. Turn left onto Los Vaqueros Road, and drive to the entry gate. The entry fee will be 6 dollars - they'll probably ask if you are going fishing (which is another 3 dollars), but hiking doesn't cost any more. After you pass the gate, there are three possible parking areas: one immediately after the gate on the left (the County Line Staging area for the Black Hills trail), one farther down on the right at the marina, and one at the very end of the road. Park in the small lot immediately after the entry kiosk. If the Black Hill trail is too muddy, we'll drive down to the Marina and try another trail.
If you're coming from Brentwood, of course you can take Vasco Road to the watershed, you'll just turn right onto Los Vaqueros Road.
Extra points:
Please note that the watershed strictly prohibits any contact with the water, including wading, along with any collection of plant specimens or animals. Los Vaqueros has a thriving wildlife community, including mountain lions, bobcats and foxes, all of which are more active at dusk and dawn. It is wise however, to not let any child walk alone, and to stay away from any wild animal we might see. Please remember to bring a lunch and drinking water, we'll stop about halfway through for a picnic on the trail (there will be no tables or anything, so be prepared to sit on dirt or grass).
There is a restroom at the trailhead, along with a drinking water tap, but the trail itself has no facilities.
Finally, it costs 6 dollars to enter the watershed, and the entry booth seems to be manned at all times. If you are a resident of the Contra Costa Water District (the CCWD Service Area covers Clayton, Clyde, Concord, Pacheco, Port Costa, Pleasant Hill, part of Martinez, part of Walnut Creek, Antioch, Pittsburg, Bay Point and Oakley), the entry cost is only 4 dollars.
Tuesday, Feb. 15th, 2005
Abrigo Falls at Briones Regional Park
We are going to start hiking at the Abrigo Valley Trailhead, just past the kiosk at the Briones' Bear Creek entrance. After walking an easy 1.3 miles up the dirt road, we'll find the waterfall shortly past the latter. The fall is located at the point where the road make a short, steep climb, the noticeable ascent along the route. From the trail, we'll be able to see Abrigo Falls (not Yosemite sized, but waterfalls nonetheless).
Directions: To reach the Bear Creek Staging Area, exit Highway 24 at Happy Valley Road and go north. Turn right at Bear Creek Road and drive a short distance to the staging area (on the right).
Tuesday, March 1st,2005
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve
Description:
Black Diamond Mines Regional Park was ranch land before coal was discovered in the 1860s. After nearly 4 million tons of "black diamond" was removed and 1.8 million tons of sand wasmined later,it was turned into a regional park. In spite of all that has been taken away, Black Diamond Mines is remarkable for what remains. An over 5,000 acre park, Black Diamond Mines boosts 65 miles of trails through grassland, chaparral, and oak savannah, and past sandstone rock formations. One of the best parts of the hike is hiking over the trail that is almost all rock, it feels like you're walking on an exposed mountain!
Directions:
From Highway 4 in Contra Costa County exit Somersville Road. Drive south on Somersville to the park entrance.
An alternate route is to take Highway 24 to the 680 interchange in Contra Costa County, and exit Ygnacio Valley Road. Drive east on Ygnacio Valley Road about 8 miles, then the road changes into Kirker Pass. Continue about 5 miles on Kirker Pass to the junction with Buchanan. Turn right and drive about 3 miles to Somersville Road. Turn right and drive to the park entrance.
Tuesday,, March 15th, 2005
Fremont Older Open Space Preserve
Description:
This 2.7 mile hike is on the moderate end of easy. We'll do just a small bit of climbing, but the total elevation change is less than 500 feet.
Directions:
From Highway 280 in Santa Clara County, take Highway 85 south for about 2 miles, then exit at DeAnza (turn right at end of ramp). Drive about 0.4 mile toward Saratoga, then turn right onto Prospect Road. After about 0.5 mile, turn left across the railroad tracks at the stop sign, to remain on Prospect. Drive 1 mile more, then turn left at the Fremont Older sign. Continue on this narrow stretch of road for about 0.25 mile to the parking lot at the end of the road.
Tuesday, March 29th, 2005
Del Valle Regional Park
**************Cancelled as of 27th of March**************
We just aren't destined to do this hike this year! It has just been raining so much, the trails at Del Valle will be too muddy for hiking for weeks (again!). Please email Kris at kkonrad1@ix.netcom.com with any questions.
Details:
We'll be hiking the south part of the park, using the Hetch Hetchy trail, Hidden Canyon, Eagle Crest and Ridgeline trails to walk roughly 3.5 miles. It is relatively unhilly terrain, so I'm anticipating an easy hike, if the weather cooperates.
Directions:
Head to Livermore, which is on Highway 580 east of Pleasanton/Dublin. From Highway 580 in Alameda County, exit Central Livermore/North Livermore Avenue. Drive south (to the right if coming from the west) on North Livermore, which turns into South Livermore, passes through downtown, makes a sharp left curve, and turns into Tesla Road (about 3.5 miles from 580). Just past the curve, look for the brown "parks" sign and turn right onto Mines Road. Drive about 3.5 miles, at which point Mines Road veers left. Follow the brown parks signs, and stay straight on Del Valle Road about another 3.5 miles to the park entrance kiosk, on the right side of the road. Del Valle Road splits past the kiosk, hang a right and follow the signs to the snack bar/marina for our meeting spot. There are three parking lots on the way to the marina/snack bar, so make sure to go to the end of the road to park as close to the snack bar as possible (we'll meet there).
There is a $6 vehicle entrance fee, if the kiosk is manned.
Tuesday, April 4th, 2006 at 10 am
Bayview/Red Hill Trail in Coyote Hills Regional Park
Update as of Monday night: cancelled due to rain - what a surprise!
Description: We will start on the Bayview Trail and then take the Red Hill Trail up to the summit to eat lunch (a bit of a climb, but not horrendously so). This is a 1-2 mile hike, depending on how we come down. The views are wonderful from the summits. The park contains an extensive brackish marsh, and habitat for shorebirds and waterfowl,which is accesible via a boardwalk through the marsh that is level and very easy.
Directions: From Highway 84 (the Dunbarton Bridge) at the east end of the bridge in Fremont, take the Thornton Ave./Paseo Padre Parkway exit and go north 1.1 miles on Paseo Padre Parkway to Patterson Ranch Road. Turn left on Patterson Ranch Road and go 0.5 miles to the entrance kiosk, with a 5$ parking fee if manned. Another 1.0 mile brings you to the parking area for the visitor center. Don't turn left into a small parking lot on the left on the way to the main lot. We'll meet on the big sidewalk leading up to the visitor center.
Tuesday, April 18th, 2006; 10am
Camp Ohlone Road to Little Yosemite, in Sunol Regional Wilderness
***********************Postponed****************************
I've been hearing reports that trails in the East Bay are mucky and very hard to hike, so I'm moving this to a future date. Hopefully, the trails will be hikable with a few weeks of sun and dryness.
This will be a flat 3 mile hike with elevations up to 400 feet in Sunol Wilderness, where we'll walk along Alameda Creek, and be able to see many birds and also observe some interesting geologic formations and an area nicknamed "Little Yosemite", which is a narrow gorge on the creek, with huge boulders and rushing water. We will also have opportunities to walk down to the creek and explore the creek a little before we get to Little Yosemite. Camp Ohlone trail is a wide and flat fire road, and would be fine for a tough stroller - we will just double back after reaching Little Yosemite.
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2006
Bayview/Red Hill Trail in Coyote Hills Regional Park
Description: We will start on the Bayview Trail and then take the Red Hill Trail up to the summit to eat lunch (a bit of a climb, but not horrendously so). This is a 1-2 mile hike, depending on how we come down. The views are wonderful from the summits. The park contains an extensive brackish marsh, and habitat for shorebirds and waterfowl,which is accesible via a boardwalk through the marsh that is level and very easy.
Directions: From Highway 84 (the Dunbarton Bridge) at the east end of the bridge in Fremont, take the Thornton Ave./Paseo Padre Parkway exit and go north 1.1 miles on Paseo Padre Parkway to Patterson Ranch Road. Turn left on Patterson Ranch Road and go 0.5 miles to the entrance kiosk, with a 5$ parking fee if manned. Another 1.0 mile brings you to the parking area for the visitor center. Don't turn left into a small parking lot on the left on the way to the main lot. We'll meet on the big sidewalk leading up to the visitor center.
May 16th, 2006 10 am
Anthony Chabot - Lake Chabot Marina
We'll hike on the trails around the lake - they are paved, but it will be a little bit shady and with nice views. We'll probably hike back to the picnic areas before having lunch, and if you like the marina office should have food and drinks.
Directions:
In Castro Valley on I-580 westbound, take the Strobridge Avenue exit. Turn right on Strobridge, right on Castro Valley Boulevard, and left on Lake Chabot Road. The Lake Chabot Marina is about two miles ahead on the right.
In Castro Valley on I-580 eastbound, exit at Redwood Road and go left, go left at Castro Valley Boulevard, right at Lake Chabot Road, and follow the directions above. From I-580 in San Leandro, exit at Fairmont Drive and go east (uphill). The marina entrance will be to the left at the bottom of the hill. (parking fee).
You can also exit at 150th Ave. in San Leandro; go straight through the first light, and turn left at the second light (this is Fairmount Ave.). Continue straight on Fairmount and it will go up and curve to the right as it turns into Castro Valley Boulevard. The Marina is on the left as the road straightens out and levels, and you will also start seeing cars parked on the street.
**If you park on Castro Vally Blvd., you can walk into the park and not have to pay the parking fee!**
Tuesday, June 6th, 2006
Mt. Diablo - Dan Cook Canyon
+++++++++++++++Hike cancelled+++++++++++++++++++++++++
My boys were under the weather yesterday, but I didn't think anything of it until Daddy came home last night pretty sick, and this morning we're feeling pretty yucky. I'd rather not take a chance and be out on the trail when we all get really sick, not to mention getting other people sick!
Kris
This is a 3 mile hike for tree and rock lovers. The environment varies from a dry oak savannah to a shady canyon of maples, sycamores, alders, and bay trees. Farther up Dan Cook Canyon, some fascinating vistas of grotesquely eroded sandstone pinnacles open up. If we want to do so, we can explore the maze of Rock City, with Sentinel Rock only a few hundred feet away.
Preview Hike: the parking area near the boundary gate is barely big enough for 2 cars, let alone four, so I decided we would tackle the hike from the Summit Trail trailhead near Rock City. It means that we have to drive up to the entrance kiosk (it is about 3 miles of a narrow, twisty and no guard rail road, and you're always gaining elevation), but there are just no other parking spots; I think the Mt. Diablo people *want* us to drive up! The trailhead is about a 0.3 mile walk from the parking lot (paved road), and the trail itself will be somewhat hilly and gutted in spots, so it is not very stroller friendly, but it seems to be one of the quieter trails, and the scenery is beautiful this time of year, all green and lush. The entire hike is about 3.5 miles, if we go all the way down to the canyon and back (we probably won't go that far), and the kids can also have a ball climbing Rock City.
Directions: From I-680 in Danville, take the Diablo Road/Danville exit and follow Diablo Road 3 miles east to Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. Please note that Diablo Road makes a sharp turn to the right halfway on your route, but it is clearly marked with signs, so it is easy to follow. Turn left onto Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. (you'll see signs for Athenian School and Mt. Diablo)), and drive a narrow, twisty road that takes you past a housing development, then a neighborhood, and then the gate that marks the actual boundary of the park (the road is now called South Gate Road). Continue past the park boundary to the entrance kiosk (if it is manned, the fee is 4$), and then continue just a little farther to a sign "Rock City/Live Oak Campground", where you'll go to the left and enter the parking area. Go past the first parking area to a road on the left that has a sign "Live Oak Campground 0.5 miles" at the front. Take this road to a parking area labelled "Elephant Rock" about 200 ft. on the right. If the lot is full, you can always go back to the first parking lot, it isn't that far.
Any questions or comments, just email me at kkonrad1@ix.netcom.com
Tuesday, June 20th, 2006 at 10 am
Camp Ohlone Road to Little Yosemite, in Sunol Regional Wilderness
This will be a flat 3 mile hike with elevations up to 400 feet in Sunol Wilderness, where we'll walk along Alameda Creek, and be able to see many birds and also observe some interesting geologic formations and an area nicknamed "Little Yosemite", which is a narrow gorge on the creek, with huge boulders and rushing water. We will also have opportunities to walk down to the creek and explore the creek a little before we get to Little Yosemite. Camp Ohlone trail is a wide and flat fire road, and would be fine for a tough stroller - we will just double back after reaching Little Yosemite.
Comments: Even though I'm trying to schedule hikes that are okay for jogging strollers (until I'm sure the baby will be okay in the backpack), this is not a typical urban hike, with views of houses and power lines. Sunol feels far from civilization and is one of our top three places for hiking (the Canyon View trail is another hike we do here that we love).The boys especially enjoy it in the fall, when they can clamber on the rocks in Little Yosemite (covered in water in early spring).
Directions: From Berkeley/Oakland, take 580 east to the junction with 680 near Pleasanton. Exit at southbound I-680, and drive south towards Fremont/San Jose. Take the Calaveras Road/Highway 84 exit(the signs also call it "Dunbarton Bridge" exit), and at the stop sign, turn left (it is Paloma Rd. at this point). Continue straight, and as long as you don't get back onto the freeway in about 0.1 miles, the road will turn into Calaveras. Drive 4.2 miles to Geary Road (there is a marked sign, in addition to a "Regional Park" marker), turn left and go a curvy 1.8 miles to the entrance kiosk. Go past the kiosk and the first parking area (where the visitor center is - a green barn), past the horse stables and continue until you reach the parking area in front of the cattle gates that lead to Camp Ohlone Road (you won't be able to go any farther). The road loops around, so if you start heading back to the kiosk, you've gone through the parking lot. See the PDF maps on the webpage for more detail. If the kiosk is manned, it is a 4$ fee.
From Fremont/San Jose, take northbound I-680 and take the Calaveras exit. Bear right onto Paloma Rd./Calaveras, and then follow the directions above. If you like, you can also take Niles Canyon Road east from Fremont, past the small town of Sunol, and then keep to the right to hit Calaveras Road.
Tuesday, August 1st, 2006 10am
West Ridge and Stream Trail at Redwood Regional Park
If the weather stays cool, we'll do a loop with West Ridge and Stream Trail, otherwise we'll stay on cool Stream Trail and just turn around at the 1.5 mile point. Stream Trail is a trail with 100 year old redwoods (second growth) and it is a mostly shady and cooler hike, with some hiking along creeks. As the author says, in my "East Bay Trails" book, "Kids can search for different kinds of ferns along creekbanks and turn over old logs to find salamanders and creepy crawlies".
Directions: Take the Redwood Road exit off Highway 13 (Warren Freeway) and follow Redwood Road east to Skyline Blvd. Turn left onto Skyline and follow it along the crest of the Oakland Hills, veering to the right near the junction of Skyline and Joaquin Miller Road. It is easy to miss Skyline, since it really is an intersection (with a traffic light), but there is a lane that curves into Skyline. From the intersection with Joaquin Miller, continue about 3.2 miles along Skyline (you'll pass Chabot Space and Science Center)to the Skyline Gate Staging Area on the right hand side of the road.
Note that if you're coming from the south end of Highway 13, you'll take the Carson St./Redwood Road exit, where you'll go straight at the stop sign, and then right onto Redwood Road at the first light you meet. Continue on Redwood until Skyline, and follow rest of previous directions.
Tuesday, August 15th, 2006 10am
Cogswell Marsh, Hayward Shoreline
The Hayward Shoreline is one of the best places in the East Bay to observe shorebirds, with easy trails that take you close to the water. Our hike will be roughly 3.3 miles and goes through a restored marsh, and within close view of shorebirds resting in the mud flats. Even in August, it will probably be windy, so bring a jacket, just in case.
Directions: Take the West Winton exit west from 880, and turn left onto Clawiter Road. Continue on Clawiter until you reach Breakwater Ave., and then turn right onto Breakwater. Follow Breakwater Ave.- it will turn left, and then veer right and heads west - for about a mile to the Shoreline Interpretive Center and park on the right side of the road. We'll meet near the Interpretive Center. If you are coming from Highway 92, you can take the Clawiter Road exit, email me at kkonrad1@ix.netcom.com if you need better directions.
Tuesday, Sept. 5th, 2006 ***11am***
El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve
Please note that the hike starts at 11 am, not 10 am, so that people driving from the East Bay don't have to battle commute traffic.
Details: This 3.3 mile hike using the Tafoni loop (Methuselah to Fir to vista point, and then return, maybe via the Sierra Morena) is moderate in difficulty for children, since the trail goes downhill and then uphill (for a gain of 1000 feet in elevation), but the grades are gentle if seemingly unending sometimes. This is probably the easiest hike in the preserve, but I don't think a 2 or 3 year old would be able to hike the entire walk. We're going to aim for the vista point to eat our lunch, but you might want to bring a plastic bag to sit on, since there probably aren't any tables.
El Morte is in the top three of my favorite hikes. On previous visits, it was cloudy and cold, so being under the trees (redwoods!) was otherworldy and almost spooky, but so beautiful. The trail was wet - due to recent rains and the creek criss-crossing the trail at points - but since the trail seems to be on bedrock, there were only a few muddy sections we had to traverse. We found numerous clusters of ladybugs (such a nice surprise) in an open meadow that should be there on Tuesday, and there were several sections of trail with fallen rock from the sandstone edging the trail that the boys found interesting.
Directions: From Highway 92 in San Mateo County, turn south onto Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35). Drive about 8.6 miles and park in the pullout in front of the CM02 gate, on the right side of the road. It is easy to miss since I didn't notice any signs for the pullout, but look for a signed "Vista Point" (which is the Skeggs point) on the left hand side when you start getting close to the 8.6 mile point. The pullout is about 1/4 of a mile from the vista point. If possible, back into the parking spot, since it can be tough to manuever in the lot so you can safely pull out onto Skyline (people go very fast and the sightlines aren't great).
If you are coming from the south Pennisula, you can certainly get on Skyline from the south and come up. The preserve is after Sky Londa and after you pass Bear Gulch Road, but I don't have distnces. You can't miss the vista point though, and it is a nice place to turn around. We came from Mountain View for the preview, and after figuring out Moody Road was the right way (from El Monte), it was a pretty scenic if stomach turning route to get up to Skyline, although Skyline itself is just fine.
Tuesday, Sept. 19th, 2006 10am
*************No Hike Due to Vacation*************
****************No Hike Due to Vacation*********************
Tuesday, Oct. 3rd, 2006 10am
Tilden Park - East Bay Skyline Trail
We will hiking approximately 3 miles on the East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail that starts on the southern end of Tilden Regional Park, with beautiful views and flora to keep it interesting.
Directions: From Hwy. 24 just east of the Caldecott Tunnel, take the Fish Ranch Rd. exit (from either eastbound or westbound), and go roughly 1 mile uphill to the first stop sign at an intersection with Grizzly Peak Road. Turn right onto Grizzly Peak Road, and continue for 1.1 miles to Lomas Cantadas Drive. Turn right and then imeediately left onto a road signed for "Tilden Regional Park's Steam Trains, Fire Station and Corporation Yard". Pass the entrance for the Steam Trains on the left, and at a fork, bear right and slightly uphill to a large gravel parking area. One note: I'm so used to this road, that I sometimes forget to warn people that Grizzly Peak is high up, and is somewhat twisty. The views are marvelous, but there's usually only a small guard rail between you and the hill, so don't look!
From Berkeley, via Grizzly Peak Road: take Grizzly Peak south to the intersection with Lomas Cantadas Dr., and then follow directions from above to the parking area.
Tuesday, Oct, 17th, 2006 10am
Mission Peak Regional Preserve - Hidden Valley Trail
Description: this will be 3.7 mile hike in the beautiful lower foothills of Mission Peak (still a bit of climbing, though) with Agua Caliente Creek running beside for most of the walk.
Directions:
From I-680 in Fremont, go north on Mission Blvd. 0.5 miles, and then turn right on Stanford Ave. and go 0.5 miles to trailhead/parking lot(Stanford Ave. ends at the parking area).
From 880, take the 282/Mission Blvd. exit and head east on Mission Blvd. You'll cross 680 in less than 2 miles, and then Stanford Ave. will be on the right hand side, 0.5 miles from 680.
Tuesday, November 7th, 2006
Las Trampas Regional Wilderness
Las Trampas is in the same region as the Mt. Diablo preserve, but it is easier to get to, is less crowded and has just as nice views, if you are willing to do a bit of climbing. In fact, there really aren't any flat hikes in the preserve at all, and the one we're going to do will be roughly 3-3.5 miles, using the Chemise, Las Tramps Ridge and the Sulphur Springs trails. These trails are on the east side of the preserve, across Bollinger Canyon Rd., which will be a change of pace from the trails we've done here on previous visits.
Directions:
If you are coming from the East Bay, you have two options. One, you can exit at Crow Canyon Road off 580 in Castro Valley and take scenic and rural (but flat) Crow Canyon Road all the way to San Ramon. After you exit 580, turn left at the exit light, then right onto Castro Valley Boulevard. Turn left one more time onto Crow Canyon. You will hit a traffic light after about 8 miles of no lights on Crow Canyon, and this will be the intersection with Bollinger Canyon Road. Turn left, and drive until the road ends in the parking lot for Las Trampas.
Two, you can take 580 to 680 in Pleasanton, head north on 680, and then exit at Crow Canyon. Turn left from the exit onto Crow Canyon, and continue until the intersection with Bollinger Canyon (very roughly a mile). Turn right onto Bollinger Canyon, and continue until road ends in the parking lot for Las Trampas.
You can also take Highway 24 all the way to 680, head south and exit at Crow Canyon. Turn right at end of exit, and continue on Crow Canyon until you reach the intersection with Bollinger Canyon (very roughly a mile). Turn right onto Bollinger Canyon, and continue until road ends in the parking lot for Las Trampas.
Tuesday, Nov. 21st, 2006
******************No Hike Due to Thanksgiving****************
No hike due to Thanksgiving Week!
Tuesday, Dec. 5th,, 2006; 10am
Mt. Diablo State Park - Sycamore Canyon Loop
Description: This is a 3.4-mile loop using Knobcone Point, Black Hawk, and Sycamore Creek Roads then connector trail back to Knobcone Point Trail. We'll have a 580-ft. climb on return loop. We'll walk through rolling meadows with magnificent views of the Mt. Diablo massif above Curry, and if it's a clear day, we might be able to see the the snowy crest of the Sierra Nevada. Sycamore Canyon itself is leafy and beautiful.
Directions:
From I-680 in Danville, take the Diablo Road/Danville exit and follow Diablo Road 2.85 miles east to Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. Do note that Diablo Road makes a sharp turn to the right (keep an eye on the street signs). Turn left onto Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd.(you should see signs for the Athenian School almost immediately after turning) and drive 3.7 miles to the South Gate entrance station (if manned, the fee is 2$). You'll go through some residential areas and the road will be narrow and not very well-maintained and then you'll be on the mountain, and Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. turns into South Gate Road. Once you pass the entrance station, continue on South Gate Rd. another 1.6 miles to a paved parking pull-out at Curry Point Overlook, located at a sharp left-hand bend in the road.
If you cannot handle driving on a twisty-turny road that doesn't have guardrails on the side that drops off, you might want to try the next hike. The road is well maintained in these sections, and I've been on worse going up to Mt. Tam, but just so you know.
The path is jogging-stroller friendly for about the first mile (as long as it hasn't rained), it being a wide, hard-packed dirt trail with a few rolling hills, but after that, I would only recommend back-packs. If the mileage is too long, please feel free to turn around at the 1 mile (or more) point, it is still worth the trip for the beautiful scenery and views around Mt. Diablo in the first part of the hike!
Tuesday, Dec. 19th,, 2006
Briones - Briones Crest Trail
We'll either hike the Homestead Valley Trail, or Old Briones Valley Trail, depending on what our preview hike is like, but it should be a great hike, since Briones has wooded canyons, forested slopes, oak savannas and open, grassy ridges, so any hike will be interesting and rewarding. Either way, we'll meet at the Bear Creek Staging Area, and go from there.
The most rewarding hike would be a 4 mile hike on Old Briones Road to the Briones Crest Trail and back, but if anyone is feeling tired, they can turn back at the 1.6 mile point before the trail starts climbing (the total elevation gain is only 600 feet, we've done much more in the past). We can also hike the Homestead Valley Trail, which is mostly dappled shade, but has a moderate grade from the start.
Directions:
From Hwy. 24 in Orinda, take the Orinda exit (about 1.3 miles from the tunnel). At the end of the exit, turn left at the light onto Camino Pablo, and and drive 2.2 miles to Bear Creek Road (also a light and well-marked). Turn right, and go 4.5 miles to the park's "Briones Regional Park/Bear Creek Valley" sign. Turn right into the park, and after 0.3 miles, reach the entrance kiosk; continue straight until you cannot drive any further (about 0.1 mile) and turn right into the last parking area. If the kiosk is manned, it will be a 4$ fee. It took me about 15 minutes from the freeway to make it to the staging area.
Tuesday, Jan 2nd, 2007
Diablo Foothills Regional Park - Livorna Staging Area
Details:
This is a 4 mile loop traveling through oak grassland on the low flanks of Mount Diablo. This is a flat and easy hike, with just a few steep sections for a 400 foot gain in elevation.
Directions:
From Interstate 680 in Contra Costa County, exit at Livorna Road (exit 43). Drive east about 1.5 miles, to the Livorna Staging Area, on the left side of the road. There is parking for 12 cars in the lot on the edge of a residential neighborhood. There are no entrance or parking fees.
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