Don Castro Regional Recreation Area

Don Castro is two different places in the summer and winter.  In the summer, there is an active swimming lagoon with places to picnic and lay in the sun.  In the winter, they close and drain the lagoon, and the activity focuses on the nearby San Lorenzo Creek Reservoir.  This little lake is stocked with fish, and I saw a happy fisherman with three healthy rainbow trout in his catch of the day.

Trail Map

Park Page

Mileage: 

2.08 miles

Route: 

From the parking area, I headed down to the fishing pier to see the action.  There was a lone fisherman there working on catching his dinner.

The pier offers views of the little lake and a great place to fish from or just watch the birds.  Doubling back, I returned to the road and headed west to the start of the Whispering Creek Trail.  This trail covers the south side of the lake, and starts out just after you cross over the dam.  You'll see the trail marker on the left.  

Follow this trail through a tangle of giant Eucalyptus trees that hug the shore.  

On the ground you'll see a lot of Eucalyptus debris, ivy, small shrubs and grasses.  Up on the hills, there are some neighboring houses with great views of the lake.  

Keep hugging the shore, and look out over the lake to see some of the residents.  These ducks were just having a Sunday morning chat when I snapped this picture:

Whispering Creek Trail eventually leads you past marshy section of the reservoir, where the Eucs mostly disappear and you'll see more native trees, including a few Bays, Oaks and even the occassional Redwood.  

You'll get to a point where the Whispering Creek Trail splits, and you can either keep to your left, hugging the shore, or wander up through more dense woods.  I kept to my left.  Eventually the trail intersects with the Chabot to Garin Regional Trail.  If you keep to your left on this hike, you'll find your way back to where you started.  The trails to your right lead to Five Canyons Open Space and Cull Canyon Recreation area.  I kept to my left and followed the Ridgetop Trail.  The canopy opens up here, and I saw some bees polinating some nearby foliage. 

Eventually, you'll find your way back in to a canopied section of the trail.   On your left is more marsh, and the trees are covered in climbing ivy.

Past this section you'll be able to see where the ducks hang out.  The were darting in and out of the reeds and diving for breakfast.  

Continuing on the trail, you'll start to see more Eucs, especially this giant cluster not far from the Swim Lagoon.  

At the end of the trail, I saw Mama Blue Heron.  There was a nest on the other side of the lake, and this delicate beauty was grabbing twigs to strengthen it.  

You'll end up at the swim lagoon, where there is a bathroom and plenty of picnic tables. This is a short and easy hike, but offers a lot to see and experience.  

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Water Loop Hike

Don Castro Regional Recreation Area

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Park Location:

 

Dublin Hills Regional Park

The Dublin Hills Regional Park is a pretty little hidden gem surrounded by highways and some new development. The trailhead/parking area is one of the more modern ones I've seen.  It's easily accessible and has plenty of parking, so it's worth a visit.  

The hills were unusually brown for this time of year, due to a lack of rain.

Location:

To reach Dublin Hills: From I-680 southbound in San Ramon, take Exit 31, the San Ramon Valley Blvd. exit. Turn left on San Ramon Valley Blvd. San Ramon Valley Blvd. becomes San Ramon Road. Continue south to Dublin Blvd. and turn right (west). Continue west on Dublin Blvd. for two miles. The staging area is on the right. From I-680 northbound in Dublin, take exit 31, the Alcosta Blvd. exit. Turn left on Alcosta, and left again on San Ramon Road. Continue south to Dublin Blvd. and turn right (west). Continue west on Dublin Blvd. for two miles. The staging area is on the right. From I-580 eastbound or westbound, take exit 44A, the San Ramon Road/Foothil Road exit, and turn north on San Ramon Road/Foothill Road to Dublin Blvd. Turn west on Dublin Blvd. and drive for about two miles. The staging area is on the right.

Trail Map

Mileage:

4.07 miles

Route: 

Start out at the Donlon Point Staging Area.  Lots of parking here, and bathrooms.

Most of this hike is exposed, with a little canopy area to rest under at about the half way point.  However, you'll probably see some hawks hunting, and you'll certainly see cows.  The trail is dotted with their reminders, so step carefully.  You'll start out with a short (.13 miles) climb to the Caleveras Ridge Trail. Take a right at the top, on to the trail.  As you climb, you'll see the development being built on your left.  

There was construction going on during the hike, so this neighborhood is still being expanded.  Keep right at marker 2, on to the Calaveras Ridge Trail.  Keep left past markers 3 and 4. To your right is the short Donlon Point loop if you want to take it.  Otherwise, follow the Calaveras Ridge Regional Trail to marker 5.  On the Calaveras Ridge Trail, you'll have nice views of Dublin and Pleasanton across the valley.

The wind coming up from the valley was powerful, but it was wonderful watching the hawks ride this current. 

At marker 5, take a right to the Donlon Loop Trail.  You'll see the residents hanging out at the local watering hole, just chewing the cud.

At marker 6, you can go right or straight to complete this loop, I went straight.  You'll soon come across another split.  If you continue straight, you'll get on to the Martin Canyon Creek Trail, but go Right, on to the Donlon Loop Trail.  This starts a nice little climb that will bring some air in to your lungs.  The vista will open up as you climb, and you'll see more of Dublin and Pleasanton below you.  At the top, you'll take a sharp right and descend on to a single track trail.

Go through a gate, and soon you'll descend in to a nice little canyon full of Bay trees and Oaks.  

This is a nice place to rest in the shade and enjoy the beauty.  There is a stream bed here, but it was bone dry, not good for this time of year. The trail crosses on to a residential street for a short detour, but it's well marked, and you'll have no problems reconnecting to the trail.

After you reconnect with the trail, you'll enjoy a little more canopy and foliage.

There is a little bit of a climb as you hike back to the start of the loop.  The trail was heavily rutted here, so step carefully so you don't twist an ankle.  When the ground is wet, the cows make deep impressions in the trail, and when it dries out, these impressions leave deep holes that are hazards for hikers and runners.  

These hikers were enjoying the view from the Calaveras Ridge Trail.

Continue on the loop back to marker 6.  Take a left there, and at marker 5,  and continue back to the parking area.

Enjoy your hike, and be safe.

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Dublin Hills

Dublin Hills Regional Park

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Temescal Regional Recreation Area

Lake Temescal is a little jewel nestled right next to Highways 13 and 24.  The park's 48 acres include trails that circle the lake.  The East Shore and Dam Trails are paved, while the West Shore and Oak Bay Trails are dirt. As you'll see in the photos, the trails include live oaks, willow, laurel, thimbleberry, hazelnut, ferns, blackberry, toyon, a few redwoods, and of course, poison oak.  

Location:

6502 Broadway Terrace Oakland, CA 94618

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Trail Map

Photo Map

Total Mileage:

1.72 miles

Total Ascent:

830 feet

Total Descent:

786 feet

Route: 

I started out on the Oak Bay Trail.  It's a pretty trail that makes a gentle climb along the west side of the lake.  

There is a nice variety of trees on this trail, including a few redwoods and a scattering of oaks.

You'll have some nice views of the lake from up here, and you'll also be able to see the Beach House (used for parties, weddings, etc.) highway 24, and the houses along the Oakland hills.  

Oak Trail is a bit of a steep drop down to the paved Dam Trail.  Along the north side of the lake, the paved Dam Trail is an access point from the north entrance of the park, and runs along a lawn area with a little playground and bathrooms.

Continuing on the Dam Trail, take a right on to the East Shore Trail.  This trail takes you along the beach, past the beach house, the little waterfall and some nice trees, and gives you a level view of the lake.

Beach House

Little waterfall next to the Beach House

"Big Rock" under some twisted old oaks further along the East Shore Trail

At the end of the East Shore Trail, there is another nice little lawn area.

At this point on my hike, I doubled back on to the West Shore Trail.  You may see quite a few fishermen on this trail, some carelessly smoking.  But, I had some nice views of the lake along this dirt trail, and there were more than a few pretty trees hovering above the lake.

I came back on the same trail, and finished this short but picturesque hike.  The total distance travelled was 1.72 miles.  Not much of a hike, but run this a few times and you'll have a great workout.  Enjoy!

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Sunrise Trail Loop Hike, Briones Regional Park

I had a wonderful hike on Saturday that surprised me with beautiful canopies and spectacular views of Mt. Diablo poking out from an ocean of fog.  Even though it was 36 degrees at the start of the hike, the nice ascent of the Sunrise Trail will bring out the heat in you.  

Mt. Diablo rising up from the fog

• Location: Briones Regional Park
• Route: Starting at a secluded trailhead at the end of Springhill Road, you'll pass through the first of many cattle gates you'll encounter.  You'll see the first trail marker, which will point the way to the Buckeye Ranch Trail.  You'll shortly pass through another cattle gate, which will take you on the beautiful, canopied section of this trail.  The sun was streaming in through the trees when I went, and the only sound was the occasional Jay squawking about my disturbing their morning.  

Sun streaming in on the Buckeye Ranch Trail

This was a nice, peaceful forested trail, loaded with moss covered Oaks and Bay trees  There was a dry creek bed to my right, but during a normal winter that should be flowing nicely.  

You'll soon come to a Y split.  To your right you can access the Sunrise Trail.  But, keep to your left, as the Buckeye Ranch Trail will loop you back, and you'll want to enjoy a little more of this canopy.  There are quite a few trees and groves with a lot of personality.  Keep an eye out for this old giant that probably lived over 200 years before it collapsed:

As you loop back, you'll go through one more gate.  Make sure you close all the gates completely, because there were a few cows lounging around in this area. At one mile, you'll see the sign for the Sunrise Trail.  Go straight here, and soon you'll be wandering through this little cluster of oaks:

I came across the remains of a cow here, with signs that some nocturnal visitors had already started feasting on it.

Sunrise Trail is a climb, and this is where you'll start to feel your quadriceps tingling and your heart knock on your ribs.  You'll climb out of this little valley to follow a ridge line up along some rolling hills.  

 On the morning of my hike the fog was heavy, and at this point I could see it still hanging around in the valley below me.  

Keep climbing, keep climbing, you've got a ways to go.  But as you climb, keep turning around to check out the view.  

At 2.65 miles, you'll come to the Briones Crest Trail.  Take this trail through some nice oaks, and enjoy the shade for a while.  It's a nice spot for a PBJ and an iced tea.  

It seems like I always make a few bovine friends on these hikes, and this crew was pretty cordial:

At 3.53 miles, you'll take a left on to the Lafayette Ridge Trail.  The curves of this trail looked like a giant anaconda resting in the California sun.  

At 3.66 miles, take a left on to the Buckeye Ranch Trail. Follow this trail through a few more scenic groves, and you'll come to the Sunrise/Buckeye Ranch Trail split.  This time, take a right to the Buckeye Ranch Trail and follow that back to the trailhead.  

• Mileage: 4.73 miles, 
• Difficulty Level: Moderate due to climbs, but mostly easy
• Description: Refreshing hike through oak woodlands, offers great views of surrounding areas and Mount Diablo.
• Trail Map
• Trailhead and Parking: End of Springhill road, Lafayette.

Sunrise Loop Hike

Briones Regional Park

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Kennedy Grove Trail Notes

Kennedy Grove is a beautiful surprise.  I visited the park on a cold, wet November morning.  Rainy skies usually provide the best light for photography, but it's tough to keep the camera dry.  When I got there, it was just me and the ranger in the park.  I was most interested in the trails around the recreation area, but it's a beautiful setting for picnics and gatherings.  

Picnic area at Kennedy Grove

The Eucalyptus trees in this part of the park were planted in 1910.  These trees grow fast, and as you can see above, they're huge.  

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Location: Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area

Directions

Trail Map

There is a fee for parking and dogs.  

It wasn't raining when I got there, but started as soon as I got my camera out.  I pretty much had the place to myself, but I imagine this is bustling in the summer. Right off the parking lot, I got on to the Laurel Loop Trail.  This is a wide trail, and it runs along the side of the lawn area.  

You'll pass some of the Eucalyptus giants on this trail.  I have mixed feelings about these trees.  They are quite impressive, but they're non native and often poison the soil below them.  The one plant that does seem to like them is poison oak, which is often found wrapped around the base of these trees.  

After walking the Laurel Loop Trail, you'll see a sign that will guide you to the Lower Sea Foam Trail.  By taking the Lower Sea Foam Trail, you'll be able to get some spectacular views of San Pablo Dam the the reservoir.  At .70 you'll access the Lower Sea Foam Trail.

My GPS watch that tracks my elevation gains could not connect with a satellite, but the Lower Sea Foam Trail is a bit of a climb.  I had the added weight of a few pounds of mud on my boots.  

On this part of the hike, you'll go through mostly shrub, and the path becomes a single track trail.  

As you hike, make sure you enjoy the views of the San Pablo Reservoir.  

At 1.05 miles, I connected with the Upper Sea Foam Trail.

This continues your climb, but it is incredibly rewarding when you reach the top.  The sight of a beautiful Oak grove took my breath away. 

Take some time up here, and look at the incredible twists and contortions of these old trees.  There are a couple of beauties with some real personality:

Follow the Upper Sea Foam Trail as it winds downhill through a dense army of Oaks that seem to reach out to you like green ghosts.

As you descend down the trail, you'll see more Bay trees, and the whole atmosphere, especially in the rain, reminds you of a scene from middle earth.

Follow the trail down to Kennedy Creek Trail, and take a left to head back to the picnic and parking area.  There are still a few beautiful sights in this section.

You'll walk back to where you started, and you can tell your friends that they should have joined you on this hike. The total distance hiked was 2.28 miles, but be prepared for the climb to Upper Sea Foam Trail.  Have fun, and be safe!

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