Vasco Caves Regional Preserve is a beautiful and special place. It is home to rare and endangered plant and animal species, and is a native american archaeological site. Because of this, access is restricted. Hikers can only visit on a tour with the East Bay Regional Park service.
The two reservoirs managed by East Bay Mud, San Pablo Reservoir and Briones Reservoir, offer some beautiful canopied trails, views of the water, and a variety of terrain and wildlife.
A nice point to start hiking these trails is the Orinda Connector staging area, right off Camino Pablo, in Orinda, Ca.
The Oursan Trail circles the north, east and west sides of Briones Reservoir. You can do an out and back hike starting from any of the staging areas on the south side of the reservoir, or circle Briones if you are feeling strong and adventureous. I started out at the Orinda Connector staging area. It's a popular place for bikers to meet and park, so get there early for a parking spot. Sign in with your permit number, and start on the trail immediatley to the right of the parking area.
Keep right at the first split. Going left will take you to Old San Pablo Trail along San Pablo Reservoir.
You'll cross a bridge and hike through a pretty section filled with towering pines.
When you get through this section, skip the fire road trail to your left, and continue on the single track trail. This will take you to the Briones Dam, and the continuation of the Oursan Trail.
You'll pass through this gate, and you can see the road that leads up to the Dam.
You'll hike up a slight incline to reach the reservoir. You'll see a sign to your right that will take you to the Bear Creek Trail, but keep to your left. Cross the bridge over the Dam and enjoy the sight of the Briones Reservoir.
This section is paved road. Keep your eyes open for water birds, which are prevelent in both reservoirs. Continue on this trail for as far as you want. The trail circles the reservoir, but combined with the Bear Creek Trail would be a 12+ mile hike. The reservoir is pretty and peaceful, and you can sit on the shore and watch the birds, or just enjoy the solitude.
Further up on the Oursan Trail are nice hills, views and more solitude. The trail is wide and rolling. There are hills to climb and pleasant spots to rest and contemplate.
Redwood Regional Park is one of my favorite places. Drop down in to the valley and the rest of the world seems so far away. In a normal winter, streams flow abundantly, and wandering through the trails here brings both peace and health. A few weeks ago, I visited the park from the Moon Gate Trailhead, and climbed to Redwood Peak. This hike offers a great variety of trails and terrain, so give it a try.
Route:
From the Moon Gate, head left on the West Ridge Trail.
Take a Right on to Tres Sendas Trail and descend in to the valley.
Nice mix of Bay and Redwood trees, with sword and forest fernsThe park is second growth Redwoods. The original inhabitants were used to build San Francisco
Take a Right on to the French Trail. This will be your first nice climb. You'll be going through some beautiful Redwoods here, so enjoy yourself and take occasional breaks.
Next, you'll take a Right on to Redwood Peak Trail. This is one of my favorite trails. It has a lot of botanical diversity, and the trail is a challenging collection of rocks and narrow passageways.
Redwood Peak Trail is a bit rocky in spotsYou'll see some nice clusters of Bay Trees on the Redwood Peak Trail
Eventually, you'll reach a sign that points to Redwood Peak. It's not too much further ahead. Go past the archery range to the peak, where you'll see giant boulders and the marker for the peak.
This is what you'll see on Redwood PeakOfficial marker at the top of Redwood Peak
Retrace your hike back to the Redwood Peak trail marker. At the marker, go to your right, not back down the Redwood Peak trail you ascended. You'll see these beauties:
Once past these trees, keep going straight on to the Madrone Trail.
Nice Redwood cluster in Madrone Trail
Take a Left on to Star Flower Trail, which will take you down throught more Redwoods.
Finally, take a Left on to Tres Sendas Trail, which will lead you back to the top of the valley.
What a beautiful place to run!
Tread lightly, and avoid the roots
Left at the end of Tres Sendas to Moon Gate.
You'll have fun on this hike. It's beautiful and great exercise, and you'll have the satisfaction of scaling Redwood Peak (1539 feet).
Photo Slideshow:
Hiking to Las Trampas Peak is a nice, hill climbing workout. What's really nice is that when you reach the peak, you can enjoy a snack or lunch under a beautiful Oak and take in some spectacular views.
This is the Oak at the top of Las Trampas Peak. It's a beauty that will give you some nice shade and a place to contemplate.
This park gets crowded, but crowded in a big park like this means you might see a few people on the trails. There are a few well traveled paths, and a number of the trails are equestrian friendly. I probably passed about 15 people, a trail record for me. It was nice to see so many people enjoying themselves on this beautiful day.
Location:
Las Trampas Regional Wilderness.
Take Hwy 680 to the Crow Canyon Road/San Ramon exit (in San Ramon) and travel west on Crow Canyon Road. Go Right on to Bollinger Canyon Road and go 4.5 miles to the very end of the road. There is a parking area on your left that gets filled early on beautiful weekend mornings. I got a spot, but people soon started parking on the dirt by the side of the road. There is a toilet there, but bring water.
Mileage:
4.5 miles
Route:
Chamise Trail
Left on to Las Trampas Ridge Trail
You'll pass through a gate to the last little climb to Las Trampas Peak
Backtrack to the Las Trampas Ridge Trail/Bollinger Creek Trail Split, and follow the Bollinger Creek trail back to the parking area.
Details:
From the parking area, walk back on Bollinger Canyon Road until you see this gate (about 500'):
I noticed a lot of cows on this adventure, so please close the gate. As you can see, this is the Chamise Trail, and this is where you'll start your hike. The first part here is a quick climb, so you'll quickly get your heart rate up as you climb this switchback. Looking back to your left as you climb, you'll see some nice views of rolling hills and the trails that start at the parking area.
You'll see signs for other trails, but stay on the Chamise Trail as it switches back through some thick shrubs that reach out to say hello.
I was passed by a couple of equestrians enjoying the climb, and it was a pretty sight.
There was a canyon to my right, with some interesting rock formations. Above the canyon, hawks were circling, and I could just imaging the same scene 500 years ago.
Soon, you'll be at the marker for the Las Trampas Ridge Trail. Take a left here, and you'll be on your way to Las Trampas Peak.
This image will give you an idea of how high you've climbed so far:
Las Trampas Ridge Trail takes you through some nice canopies. You'll see some Oaks, Bay Trees and a whole variety of twisty shrubs and grasses.
This Madrone cluster was spectacular.
The trail opens up, and you'll be enjoying nice views along the ridge line.
Eventually, you'll get to the sign for Las Trampas Peak, and it's a short climb from here to the top.
Take a break here to enjoy the views and rest. You deserve it, you just climbed to the summit of Las Trampas Peak, at 1827'.
After you enjoy yourself, turn around and backtrack down Las Trampas Ridge Trail to the split with Bollinger Creek Loop Trail, and bear right here.
Follow the Bollinger Creek Loop Trail past the cows and through the hills.
This last descent is a nice change from your uphill climb, so enjoy it. There isn't much shade along the way in this section, so protect yourself. On the descent, you'll pass another section of the Las Trampas Ridge Trail, but stay on the Bollinger Creek Loop Trail, bearing left, until you get to the parking area.
Whispering Creek Trail is on the south side of the San Lorenzo Creek Reservoir. It's a peaceful and tranquil trail that hugs the water and curves through a tangle of giant Eucalyptus trees. Take your time and enjoy the sights...
