Hiking in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve

Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve has beautiful shaded hikes among tall trees. Website — Trail map.

List of Hikes: There are four entrances to the park. Trails can be stitched together in a variety of ways to get long interesting loops.

From Higgins Canyon Rd Parking Lot
Directions: From the junction of CA 1 and CA 92 in San Mateo County, drive south 1.2 miles, then turn east onto Higgins Canyon Road (formerly Higgins-Purisima Road). Drive on this narrow road about 4.2 miles, to the trailhead on the left side of the road (just past the tiny white bridge).
6.2 miles ~ 1000 ft	Purisima Creek Trail 1.0 / Borden Hatch Mill Trail 2.5 + 0.2 / Grabtown Gulch Trail 1.5 / Purisima Creek Trail 1.0
6.3 miles ~ 1200 ft	Whittemore Gulch Trail 2.2 + 0.6 / North Ridge Trail 0.5 / Harkins Ridge Trail 0.6 + 0.3 + 2.1
7.0 miles ~ 1000 ft	Harkins Ridge Trail 2.1/ Soda Gulch Trail 2.6 / Purisima Creek Trail 1.3 + 1.0
8.2 miles ~ 1400 ft	Purisima Creek Trail 1.0 + 1.3 + 1.6 + 0.2 to Skyline Blvd Parking Lot next to Huddart Park. Return by same route.
9.1 miles ~ 1200 ft	Whittemore Gulch Traill 2.2 + 0.6 / North Ridge Trail 0.5 / Harkins Ridge Trail 0.6 + 0.3 / Soda Gulch Trail 2.6 / Purisima Creek Trail 1.3 + 1.0
11.2 miles ~ 2000 ft	Harkins Ridge Trail 2.1 / Soda Gulch Trail 2.6 / Purisima Creek Trail 1.3 / Grabtown Gulch Trail 1.5 / Borden Hatch Mill Trail 0.2 + 2.5 / Purisima Creek Trail 1.0
13.3 miles ~ 2200 ft	Whittemore Gulch Trail 2.2 + 0.6 / North Ridge Trail 0.5 / Harkins Ridge Trail 0.6 + 0.3 / Soda Gulch Trail 2.6 / Purisima Creek Trail 1.3 / Grabtown Gulch Trail 1.5 / Borden Hatch Mill Trail 0.2 + 2.5 / Purisima Creek Trail 1.0

From Main Park Entrance on Skyline Blvd
Directions: From Highway 92, go 4.5 miles south on Highway 35 (Skyline Blvd). Parking for 30 cars.
4.6 miles	North Ridge Trail 2.3 (0.3 + 0.5 + 0.3 + 1.2). Return by same route.
6.9 miles ~ 1400 ft	North Ridge Trail 0.3 + 0.5 / Whittemore Gulch Trail 0.6 + 2.2 to Higgins Canyon Rd parking lot / Harkins Ridge Trail 2.1 + 0.3 + 0.6 / North Ridge Trail 0.3
9.7 miles ~ 1200 ft	North Ridge Trail 0.3 + 0.5 / Whittemore Gulch Trail 0.6 + 2.2 to Higgins Canyon Rd parking lot / Purisima Creek Trail 1.0 + 1.3 / Soda Gulch Trail 2.6 / Harkins Ridge Trail 0.3 + 0.6 / North Ridge Trail 0.3
13.9 miles ~ 2400 ft	North Ridge Trail 0.3 + 0.5 / Whittemore Gulch Trail 0.6 + 2.2 / Purisima Creek Trail 1.0 / Borden Hatch Mill Trail 2.5 + 0.2 / Grabtown Gulch Trail 1.5 / Purisima Creek Trail 1.3 / Soda Gulch Trail 2.6 / Harkins Ridge Trail 0.3 + 0.6 / North Ridge Trail 0.3

From Skyline Blvd Parking Lot next to Huddart Park
Directions: From Highway 92, go 6.5 miles south on Highway 35 (Skyline Blvd). Parking for 11 cars.
8.2 miles ~ 1400 ft	Purisima Creek Trail 4.1 (0.2 + 1.6 + 1.3 + 1.0) to Higgins Canyon Rd Parking Lot. Return by same route.
10.4 miles ~ 2400 ft	Purisima Creek Trail 0.2 + 1.6 + 1.3 / Grabtown Gulch Trail 1.5 / Borden Hatch Mill Trail 0.2 + 2.5 / Purisima Creek Trail 1.3 + 1.6 + 0.2
10.6 miles ~ 1800 ft	Purisima Creek Trail 0.2 + 1.6 / Soda Gulch Trail 2.6 / Harkins Ridge Trail 2.1 to Higgins Canyon Parking Lot / Purisima Creek Trail 1.0 + 1.3 + 1.6 + 0.2
14.8 miles ~ 2800 ft	Purisima Creek Trail 0.2 + 1.6 / Soda Gulch Trail 2.6 / Harkins Ridge Trail 2.1 to Higgins Canyon Parking Lot / Purisima Creek Trail 1.0 / Borden Hatch Mill Trail 2.5 + 0.2 / Grabtown Gulch Trail 1.5 / Purisima Creek Trail 1.3 + 1.6 + 0.2

From Tunitas Creek Rd Parking Lot
Directions: From Highway 92, go 6.5 miles south on Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard). Turn right (west) onto Tunitas Creek Road. About 2 miles down the road, there is parking for 2 to 3 cars at the trailhead. No maps available here. You may pick maps from the main Park Entrance on Skyline Blvd.
3.6 miles ~ 400 ft	Grabtown Gulch Trail 0.3 / Borden Hatch Mill Trail 0.2 / Bald Knob Trail 1.3. Return by same route. Details by BAHiker.
4.9 miles ~ 1000 ft	Grabtown Gulch Trail 0.3 / Borden Hatch Mill Trail 0.2 + 2.5 / Purisima Creek Trail ~ 0.1 / Grabtown Gulch Trail 1.5 + 0.3
8.0 miles ~ 1100 ft	Grabtown Gulch Trail 0.3 / Borden Hatch Mill Trail 0.2 / Bald Knob Trail 1.3 / Irish Ridge Trail 1.2 / Lobitos Creek Trail ~ 1.0. Return by same route. Details by WeeklyWalkter.

Adjacent Parks: Huddart Park and Phleger Estate are to the east of Purisima Creek. In fact, the Skyline Blvd Parking lot next to Huddart Park is also the trailhead for hikes in Huddart. However, there are no interesting loops that connect the two parks. It is best to visit them separately.

Hiking in Huddart County Park

Huddart County Park is quite popular, with several picnic areas and criss-crossed by myriad trials. Some trails are shaded, others are in the open. There’s an entrance fees. The park is easily accessible, only a few miles away from the intersection of Highways 280 and 84. Website — Trail Map — Trail Map.

Address: 1100 Kings Mountain Rd, Atherton, CA 94062.

List of Hikes: The park is criss-crossed by many hiking trails. Be creative and form your own routes! Some examples are listed below.

From Parking Lot near Park Entrance
4.7 miles	Werder Picnic Shelter to Dean Trail 0.3 / Crystal Springs Trail 2.6 (0.3 + 0.3 + 0.3 + 0.9 + 0.8) / Dean Trail 1.8 (0.7 + 0.2 + 0.4 + 0.5)
7.7 miles	Werder Picnic Shelter to Dean Trail 0.3 / Crystal Springs Trail 3.4 (0.3 + 0.3 + 0.3 + 0.9 + 0.8 + 0.8) / connector / Richards Road Trail 0.3 / Skyline Trail 0.8 (0.5 + 0.15 + 0.15) / Chinquapin Trail 1.8 / Dean Trail 1.1 (0.2 + 0.4 + 0.5)
From Skyline Blvd Parking Lot
4.0 miles	Skyline Trail 0.15 / Summit Springs Trail 0.4 / Crystal Springs Trail 0.8 / Dean Trail 0.7 / Chinquapin Trail 1.8 / Skyline Trail 0.15
7.3 miles	Skyline Trail 0.15 / Summit Springs Trail 0.4 / Crystal Springs Trail 3.4 (0.8 + 0.8 + 0.9 + 0.3 + 0.3 + 0.3) / Dean Trail 1.4 (0.3 + 0.5 + 0.4 + 0.2) / Chinquapin Trail 1.8 / Skyline Trail 0.15

Hikes to Nearby Parks

* Phleger Estate (Website — Trail Map) is to the north of Huddart. Here are a couple of loops that also go through the Main Parking Lot.

In Phleger Estate from Skyline Blvd Parking Lot
8.6 miles	Skyline Trail 0.15 + 0.5 / Lonely Trail 1.9 (0.4 + 0.9 + 0.6) / Mount Redondo Trail 0.8 / Miramontes Trail 1.4 / Richards Road Trail 0.1 / Spur Trail 0.1 / Crystal Springs Trail 0.6 (0.3 + 0.3) / Dean Trail 1.1 (0.5 + 0.4 + 0.2) / Chinquapin Trail 1.8 / Skyline Trail 0.15
9.6 miles	Skyline Trail 0.15 + 0.5 / Lonely Trail 1.9 (0.4 + 0.9 + 0.6) / Raymundo Trail 1.6 / Miramontes Trail 1.4 / Richards Road Trail 0.1 / Spur Trail 0.1 / Crystal Springs Trail 3.1 (0.3 + 0.3 + 0.9 + 0.8 + 0.8) / Summit Springs Trail 0.4 / Skyline Trail 0.15

* Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve (Website — Trail map) is to the west of Huddart. However, there are no loops connecting these two parks. It makes more sense to visit these parks separately.

* Skyline Trail connects Huddart to Wunderlich Park. A 17+ mile loop that connects both parks: Details.

* Crystal Springs Trail connects Huddart to Edgewood Park (Website — Trail Map). This trail is described in great detail here.

Hiking in Butano State Park

Butano State Park is situated in Santa Cruz mountains, midway between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. The park has beautiful hiking trails amid tall Redwoods and next to a creek. Website — Trail Map

Address: 1500 Cloverdale Road, Pescadero, CA 94060. Tel: (650) 879-2040.

List of Hikes: All hikes start from the Park Entrance.

~ 5 miles ~ 200 ft	Six Bridges Trail 1.0 / Butano Creek Trail 1.5 / fire road ? / Six Bridges Trail 1.0. Pleasant hike next to a creek.
~ 5.8 miles ~ 600 ft	Six Bridges Trail 1.0 / Butano Creek Trail 1.5 / fire road ? / Goat Hill Trail 1.75 / Olmo Fire Rd ? / Año Nuevo 1.3
~ 11 miles ~ 1300 ft	Jackson Flats Trail 2.76 / Canyon Trail 2.75 / Indian Trail 0.9 / Olmo Fire Road ? / Doe Ridge Trail 1.6 / Goat Hill Trail ? / Olmo Fire Road ? / Año Nuevo 1.3. The Año Nuevo section is particularly steep. So you may reverse the loop by hiking Año Nuevo first.
~ 11.5 miles ~ 1300 ft	Jackson Flats Trail 2.76 / Canyon Trail 2.75 / Indian Trail 0.9 / Olmo Fire Road ? / Doe Ridge Trail 1.6 / Goat Hill Trail ? / fire road ? / Butano Creek Trail 1.5 / Six Bridges Trail 1.0.

Location:

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Hiking in Wunderlich County Park

Wunderlich County Park (Website — Trail Map) is easily accessible. It is close to Highways 84 and 280. Almost all trails are shaded by tall trees, making hikes very pleasant throughout the year. The parking lot is fairly large. Parking is free. In July 2009, plenty of maps were available at the main parking lot.

Address: 4040 Woodside Rd, Woodside 94062. Tel: (650) 851 1210.

List of Hikes: The park offers 15+ miles of trails that criss-cross each other. You can be creative and form your own routes. All hikes below start from the main entrance.

4.7 miles	Bear Gulch Trail 2.45 (0.20 + 0.51 + 0.56 + 0.14 + 0.76 + 0.28) to Alambique Flat/ Alambique Trail 2.24 (0.24 + 1.21 + 0.06 + 0.73)
6.2 miles	Alambique Trail 2.00 (0.73 + 0.06 + 1.21) to Alambique Flat / Oak Trail 0.52 / Meadow Trail 0.74 / Bear Gulch Trail 0.76 / Redwood Trail 0.70 (0.50 + 0.20) / Meadow 0.35 / Alambique Trail 0.08 / Loop Trail 0.77 / service road 0.29
10.2 miles	Bear Gulch Trail 2.45 (0.20 + 0.51 + 0.56 + 0.14 + 0.76 + 0.28) / Alambique Trail 2.55 (0.60 + 1.95) / Skyline Trail 2.40 / Alambique Trail 2.84 (0.60 + 0.24 + 1.21 + 0.06 + 0.73)
17+ miles 2000+ ft	A loop connects trails in Wunderlich and Huddart parks — Details.

Location:

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Hiking in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park has two sections: the main park and the ‘Fall Creek Unit’. The main park is well developed and touristy. The Fall Creek Unit is less disturbed by urbanization but offers much better hikes.

The ‘Fall Creek Unit’

Website — Trail Map — Yelp reviews.

Address: 1400 Felton Empire Rd Felton, CA 95018. Tel: (831) 335-4598.

Directions: Take CA 17 south. Exit Mount Hermon Rd in Scotts Valley. Drive 3.5 miles northwest along Mount Hermon Rd. Turn right on Graham Hill Road. In 0.1 miles, go through traffic light (Graham Hill becomes Felton Empire Rd at this intersection). Drive about 0.6 miles on Felton Empire Rd. Trailhead on right.

List of Hikes:

7.2 miles 1480 ft	Bennett Creek / Ridge / Truck / Big Ben / Fall Creek via Lime Kilns — Details and Map.
8.2 miles 1760 ft	Bennett Creek / Fall Creek / South Fork / Cape Horn / Lost Empire / Big Ben / Fall Creek / North Fork / Fall Creek / Bennet Creek — Details and Map.

The above two hikes are among the best Redwood hikes available to bay area residents.

The Main Park

Website — Trail Map — Trail Map — Trail Map

Address: 101 North Big Trees Park Road, Felton, CA 95018.

The park has multiple trailheads. There is free parking outside the park close to trailheads. In Sep 2009, parking fees inside the park was $10 and maps cost $3 each. RedwoodHikes has very nice Descriptions of Hiking Trails in the park.

List of Hikes:

5.0 miles	Redwood Grove Trail / River Trail / Big Rock Hole. Ends in a river where you can relax
6.6 miles 1360 ft	The “Four Crossings” Hike — Trail Map — you have to wade through a river four times!

Hiking the 32-Mile East Bay Skyline National Recreational Trail

Yesterday, I hiked 32.3 miles in 13.5 hours (~ 2.4 miles per hour) along East Bay Skyline National Recreational Trail with three friends. The trail traverses six different parks and preserves. On the whole, there is 3000+ ft of elevation gain and drop. The trail is marked with small triangles on all the maps below.

For details, you may check out East Bay Trails: Hiking Trails in Alameda And Contra Costa Counties (2005, 288 pages) by David Weintraub. You don’t really need the book because maps for all parks are available online for free.

Section A (7.2 miles): Wildcat Canyon Regional Park (Map and Text) — climbs about 800 ft: From Alvarado Staging Area (Wildcat Canyon) to Inspiration Point (Tilden): Wildcat Creek 0.45 / Belgum 0.87 / San Pablo Ridge Trail 1.21 / connector 0.07 / Nimitz Way 4.60 (0.68 + 1.38 + 0.45 + 0.30 + 0.45 + 0.72 + 0.62). Details from Weintraub’s book (pages 50 — 55).

The initial portion of the hike takes you through open spaces among rolling hills with good views of cities. The latter portion (Nimitz Way) is a paved road.

Section B (3.0 miles): Tilden Regional Park (Maps: North and South) — climbs 860 ft. From Inspiration Point (Tilden) to Steams Trains Parking Lot on Lomas Cantadas (Tilden): Curran Trail 0.13 / Seaview Trail 0.51 (0.14 + 0.19 + 0.18) / East Bay Skyline National Trail (Bay Area Ridge Trail) 1.81 (1.35 + 0.46) / Seaview Trail 0.55 / connector 0.11 to Steam Trains Parking Lot. Details from Weintraub’s book (pages 50 — 55).

This short hike is quite scenic with excellent views of San Francisco on one side and a bunch of reservoirs on the other side. The hike is partly shaded with plenty of dogs sharing the trail with their owners. The last section (Seaview Trail) is a paved road.

Section C (6.3 miles): Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve (Map and Text) and Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve (Map and Text). Steam Trains Parking Lot on Lomas Cantadas (Tilden) to Skyline Gate (entrance for Redwood Regional Park): Follow Bay Area Ridge Trial (East Bay Skyline) throughout until you exit Huckleberry Preserve. To reach Sibley Preserve, the hike drops 600 ft, then gains 300 ft. Within Sibley and Huckleberry Preserves, the hike drops 480 ft, then gains 200 ft. You don’t really need the map for Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve because it is part of the map for Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. Details from Weintraub’s book (pages 55 — 60).

The portion of the hike through Sibley is quite pleasing. Most of the hike is shaded and single-trail. Could be muddy during rains. Pictures:

The section through Huckleberry Preserve is especially beatific. Some pictures:

Section D (6.5 miles) Redwood Regional Park (Maps: North, South, Full and Text). Skyline Gate (entrance for Redwood Regional Park) to MacDonald Gate (entrance for Redwood Regional Park). The trail is marked with small triangles. There are two choices: you may go along West Ridge Trail 3.83 (0.59 + 0.53 + 0.12 + 0.56 + 0.09 + 0.38 + 0.07 + 0.40 + 0.19 + 0.22 + 0.11 + 0.26 + 0.31) / Golden Spike Trail 0.67 / connector 0.11 to Big Bear Staging Area / MacDonald Trail ~ 0.4 to MacDonald Gate Staging Area (climbs 200 ft, drops 900 ft). Or you may go along West Ridge Trail 0.59 / French Trail 3.99 (0.60 + 0.08 + 0.48 + 0.13 + 0.12 + 0.62 + 0.54 + 0.40 + 1.02) / Orchard Trail 0.20 / West Ridge Trail 0.26 + 0.31 / Golden Spike Trail 0.67 / connector 0.11 to Big Bear Staging Area / MacDonald Trail to MacDonald Gate Staging Area ~ 0.4 (400 ft drop, 200 ft gain). The West Ridge Trail route is about 1 mile shorter, making the overall hike about 31 miles long. Details from Weintraub’s book (pages 60 — 63).

French Trail is absolutely fantastic with several ups and downs through Redwoods. Golden Spike Trail is shaded.

Section E (9.3 miles) Anthony Chabot Regional Preserve (Maps: North, South and Text) — 9.3 miles. MacDonald Gate (entrance for Redwood Regional Park) to Proctor Gate (an entrance for Anthony Chabot Regional Preserve). The trail coincides with MacDonald Trail 2.75 (0.25 + 1.05 + 0.31 + 1.14) / Grass Valley Trail 1.48 (0.96 + 0.52) / Brandon Trail 4.91 (0.40 + 0.49 + 0.37 + 0.45 + 0.59 + 0.20 + 0.20 + 0.41 + 0.13 + 0.56 + 1.11) / connector 0.2 to Proctor Staging Area. From MacDonald Gate to Bort Meadow, the trail is 2.74 miles long. It climbs 500 feet, then drops 300 feet. From Bort Meadow to Proctor Gate, the trail is 6.56 miles long. It climbs 320 feet, then drops 600 feet. Details from Weintraub’s book (pages 64 — 68).

The last section of the hike through Anthony Chabot is quite easy with wide trails, mostly in the open and gentle grade. It’s just long.

Notes

*We parked two cars, one at each end point of the trail. We parked a third car with food and water supplies at MacDonald Gate in Anthony Chabot Regional Preserve.

* Water is available at only 3 points along the trial: Steam Trains (10.3 miles) when we come out of Tilden Regional Park, “Staging Area” (14.8 miles) within Sibley Volcanic Preserve and Skyline Gate (16.5 miles) which is an entrance to Redwood Regional Park. We cached water in our car parked at MacDonald Gate (~ 23 mile mark).

* Each of us took a printout with trails marked with a highlighter. It is best if all members in a group have studied maps and know what they are doing along this unusually long hike.

* Layered clothing is helpful.

* Take a flashlight with you if you plan to hike beyond sunset. We met two large groups of hikers in Anthony Chabot Regional Preserve when hiking in the dark.

Hiking in Sunol Regional Wilderness Preserve

Sunol Regional Wilderness Preserve is popular for wildflowers in April, which is the best time to visit this park. The second best time is winters when valleys are green. Most hikes are in the open. So avoid summers. Many trails offer sweeping vistas. The elevation gains for all hikes are moderate, between 500 ft and 1800 ft. Website — Trail Map — Google Map.

Note: As of Nov 2009, there was no cell phone reception at Sunol Visitor Center.

Pictures taken on 31 October 2009 (click to see entire album):

List of Hikes

Four trails are particularly beautiful. All hikes from Main Park Entrance listed below go through one or more of these trails:

1. Flag Hill Trail ascends quickly and offers magnificent vistas of the valley.
2. Eagle View Trail is along a canyon and takes you across a creek.
3. Indian Joe Creek Trail is along a creek allowing you to access to the creek.
4. Canyon View Trail is along a canyon and offers great valley views.

From Main Park Entrance
5.1 miles	Canyon View Trail 0.15 + 0.17 + 0.36 / McCorkle Trail 0.94 / Cerro Este Rd 0.38 + 0.39 / Cave Rocks Rd 0.58 + 0.12 + 0.32 / Indian Joe Creek Trail 0.26 + 0.98 / Indian Joe Nature Trail 0.22 / Canyon View Trail 0.15. See Trail Map for details.</td
6.2 miles	This hike takes you along Flag Hill Trail that offers magnificent vistas within a mile of climbing. Flag Hill Trail to Flag Hill (1360 ft) 0.31 + 1.07 — ascends quickly / Flag Hill Rd 0.78 / Vista Grande Rd 1.06 / Eagle View Trail 0.55 + 0.29 / Cave Rocks Rd 0.12 + 0.32 / Indian Joe Creek Trail 0.26 + 0.98 / Indian Joe Nature Trail 0.22 / Canyon View Trail 0.15. See Trail Map for details.
7.7 miles ~ 1700 ft	Canyon View Trail to Little Yosemite 0.15 + 0.17 + 0.36 + 0.61 / Cerro Este Rd to Cerro Este Overlook (1720 ft) 0.75 + 0.38 + 0.39 / Cave Rocks Rd 0.58 / Eagle View to Vista Grande (1680 ft) 0.29 + 0.55 / Vista Grande Rd 1.06 / High Valley Rd 0.26 / Cave Rocks Rd 0.49 / Indian Joe Creek Trail 0.26 + 0.98 / Indian Joe Nature Trail 0.22 / Canyon View Trail 0.15. See Trail Map for details.
11.4 miles	This hike covers all the major trails in the park, taking you through Flag Hill (1360 ft) and Maguire Peak (1688 ft). Flag Hill Trail 0.31 + 1.07 / Flag Hill Rd 0.78 / High Valley Rd 0.41 + 0.18 to reach “1.6 Mile Marker on Welch Creek Rd” / Upper Maguire Peaks Trail 0.57 + 0.84 / Maguire Peaks Loop 0.28 + 2.18 + 0.64 / Maguire Peak Trail 0.84 + 0.57 / High Valley Rd 0.41 + 0.26 / Cave Rocks Rd 0.49 / Indian Joe Creek Trail 0.26 + 0.98 / Indian Joe Nature Trail 0.22 / Canyon View Trail 0.15. You may climb to Maguire Peak as an excursion while on Maguire Peaks Loop. See Trail Map for details.
From Welch Creek Road Parking Lots
These hikes take you along the Maguire Peaks Loop. Signs say that you need a permit to park. So go to the Visitors Center on Geary Road, pick a permit and then come over. At the “0.75 Mile Marker” on Welch Creek Rd, there’s provision for 3 to 4 cars. At the “1.6 Mile Marker”, many more cars may be parked. Try both parking lots. These are great early morning hikes!
4.7 miles	From the “0.72 Mile Marker”, go along Lower Maguire Peaks Trail 0.80 / Maguire Peaks Loop 2.18 + 0.28 + 0.64 / Lower Maguire Peaks Trail 0.80. See Trail Map for details.
5.9 miles	From the “1.6 Mille Marker”, go along Upper Maguire Peaks Trail 0.57 / Maguire Peak Trail 0.84 / Maguire Peaks Loop 0.28 + 2.18 + 0.64 / Maguire Peak Trail 0.84 / Upper Maguire Peaks Trail 0.57 See Trail Map for details.
Along Ohlone Wilderness Trail
You need an Ohlone Wilderness Permit.
5.3 miles (one-way)	To Mission Peak. First, hike 0.31 miles along Ohlone Wilderness Trail within Sunol Regional Wilderness. Then 3.59 miles along Ohlone Wilderness Trail in Mission Peak Regional Preserve. Then 0.44 miles along Laurel Loop Trail, 0.24 miles along a connector, 0.28 miles along Peak Trail, 0.13 miles along Eagle Loop Trail, followed by a connector. Finally, about 0.32 miles to Mission Peak. Return by same route or through variations like Ranch Trail near Mission Peak. Check out Trail Map for Mission Peak and Trail Map for Sunol for details.
8.7 miles (one-way)	To Stanford Ave Parking Lot in Mission Peak Regional Preserve: Follow route (A) above. Then come down to Stanford Parking lot via Horse Heaven Trail / Peak Meadow Trail, for example. See Trail Maps for Mission Peak and Sunol for details. Check out Trail Map for Mission Peak and Trail Map for Sunol for details.
13+ miles	To Del Valle Regional Park: Best suited for backpacking.

Location

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Hiking in Redwood Regional Park

Redwood Regional Park in Oakland, CA has a combination of trails in the open (East Ridge Trail and West Ridge Trail) and amid Redwoods (Stream Trail and French Trail). Website — North — South — Full — Text.

Pictures taken on 24 October 2009 (click to see album):

Hikes: Many trails criss-cross this park. The elevation gain for all hikes is between 500 ft and 1000 ft. Check Trail Map. Be creative and form your own loops! Some examples below.

From Skyline Gate Staging Area
4.8 miles 700 ft	Stream Trail 0.42 + 0.33 + 0.16 + 0.45 + 0.26 / Fern Trail 0.30 + 0.41 / West Ridge Trail 0.07 + 0.38 + 0.09 / Take excursion to Redwood Peak 0.22 + 0.22 / West Ridge Trail 0.56 + 0.53 + 0.59
7.7 miles	Stream Trail 0.42 + 0.33 + 0.16 + 0.45 + 0.26 + 0.31 + 0.57 / Bridle Trail 0.20 / Orchard Trail 0.37 / French Trail 1.02 + 0.40 + 0.54 + 0.62 + 0.12 + 0.13 + 0.48 + 0.08 + 0.60 / West Ridge Trail 0.59
From 11500 Skyline Blvd
3.0 miles	Dunn Trail 0.13 + 0.34 + 0.85 / Monteiro Trail 0.37 / Golden Spike Trail 1.04 / Dunn Trail 0.30
5.1 miles	Dunn Trail 0.13 + 0.34 / Graham Trail 1.06 / West Ridge Trail 0.09 + 0.38 + 0.07 + 0.40 + 0.19 + 0.22 / Tate Trail 0.57 / Golden Spike Trail 0.33 + 1.04 / Dunn Trail 0.30
8.6 miles	Dunn Trail 0.13 + 0.34 / Graham Trail 1.06 / West Ridge Trail 0.09 / Redwood Peak Trail 0.14 + 0.49 / French Trail 0.13 + 0.12 + 0.62 + 0.54 + 0.40 + 1.02 / Orchard Trail 0.20 / West Ridge Trail 0.26 / Toyon Trail 0.82 / Golden Spike Trail 0.56 + 0.33 + 1.04 / Dunn Trail 0.30
From Canyon Meadow Staging Area
6.3 miles	Canyon Trail 0.36 / East Ridge Trail to Skyline Gate Staging Area 0.33 + 1.65 + 0.25 + 0.29 + 0.50 + 0.18 / Stream Trail 0.42 + 0.33 + 0.16 + 0.45 + 0.26 + 0.31 + 0.57 + 0.24
From Pinehurst Gate Staging Area
8.0 miles	East Ridge Trail to Skyline Gate Staging Area 0.84 + 0.33 + 1.65 + 0.25 + 0.29 + 0.50 + 0.18 / Stream Trail 0.42 + 0.33 + 0.16 + 0.45 + 0.26 + 0.31 + 0.57 + 0.24 / Canyon Trail 0.36 / East Ridge Trail 0.84

Hiking in Pinnacles National Monument

Pinnacles National Monument is about 50 miles south of Gilroy, CA. The park is famous for curious rock formations suitable for rock climbing. Website — Area Map — Trail Map — Hand-drawn Trail Map — Directions. The park has two entrances. The Eastern entrance is more scenic. Most of the trails are in the open. So avoid summers.

Hiking through Caves: At Pinnacles, there are are two ‘cave trails’ (Balconies Cave Trail and Bear Gulch Cave Trail) that require flashlight. These are open only in select months, so check Cave Status. Caves are closed for the protection of Townsend’s big ear bats that reside in them. Caves are open for a limited period: twice a year for at least one week and up to four weeks each March and October, depending on the presence of the colony of bats.

Full Moon Hikes: Pinnacles is also known for eerie ‘full moon hikes’ through interesting rock formations.

Pictures taken on 25 October 2009 (click to see album):

My friend was rock climbing without aids:

Hiking Trails: Trail Map. A portion of High Peaks Trail that is marked “Steep and Narrow Section” on the map is indeed very steep. In fact, some of this section is composed of tiny steps carved out in stone and handrails by the side. Remember that hikes through caves (Bear Gulch Caves or Balconies Cave) require flashlight! When caves are closed, you may hike along trails that parallel the cave trails.

 

From Bear Gulch Day Use Area (East entrance, 1260 ft)
6.1 miles	Bear Gulch Trail 0.3 + 0.2 / Moses Spring Trail + Bear Gulch Cave Trail 0.7 / Rim Trail 0.4 / High Peaks Trail to Scouts Peak (2605 ft) 1.5 / High Peaks Trail 0.7 + 0.6 / Condor Gulch Trail 1.7
8.0 miles	Bear Gulch Trail 0.3 + 0.2 / Moses Spring Trail + Bear Gulch Cave Trail 0.7 / Rim Trail 0.4 / High Peaks Trail to Scouts Peak (2605 ft) 1.5 / High Peaks Trail 0.7 + 0.6 + 2.0 / Bench Trail 0.6 / Bear Gulch Trail 1.0
9.8 miles	Bear Gulch Trail 0.3 + 0.2 / Moses Spring Trail + Bear Gulch Cave Trail 0.7 / Rim Trail 0.4 / High Peaks Trail to Scouts Peak (2605 ft) 1.5 / Juniper Canyon Trail 0.6 + 1.2 / Balconies Trail 0.6 / Balconies Cave Trail 0.4 / Old Pinnacles Trail 1.3 + 1.0 / Bench Trail 0.6 / Bear Gulch Trail 1.0
14.2 miles	Bear Gulch Trail 0.3 + 0.2 / Moses Spring Trail + Bear Gulch Cave Trail 0.7 / Chalone Peak Trail to North Chalone Peak (3304 ft) 3.3 / Chalone Peak Trail to South Chalone Peak (3269 ft) 1.6. Return by same route.
From Chaparral Ranger Station (West entrance, 1401 ft)
8.4 miles	Balconies Trail 0.6 / Balconies Cave Trail 0.4 / Old Pinnacles Trail 1.3 + 1.0 / High Peaks Trail 2.0 + 0.6 + 0.7 / Juniper Canyon Trail 0.6 + 1.2
9.3 miles	Balconies Trail 0.6 / Balconies Cave Trail 0.4 / Old Pinnacles Trail 1.3 / North Wilderness Trail 7.0
9.7 miles	Juniper Canyon Trail 1.2 / Tunnel Trail 0.6 / High Peaks Trail 0.6 / Condor Gulch Trail 1.7 / Bear Gulch Trail 0.3 + 0.2 / Bear Gulch Cave Trail 0.7 / Rim Trail 0.4 / High Peaks Trail 1.5 + 0.7 / Tunnel Trail 0.6 / Juniper Canyon Trail 1.2
9.8 miles	Balconies Trail 0.6 / Balconies Cave Trail 0.4 / Old Pinnacles Trail 1.3 + 1.0 / Bench Trail 0.6 / Bear Gulch Trail 1.0 + 0.3 + 0.2 / Moses Spring Trail + Bear Gulch Cave Trail 0.7 / Rim Trail 0.4 / High Peaks Trail to Scouts Peak (2605 ft) 1.5 / Juniper Canyon Trail 0.6 + 1.2

Hiking in Grand Canyon National Park

On 17 October 2009, I visited Grand Canyon National Park with three friends. The expansive views of the canyon are breath-taking. The canyon is 277 miles long and is said to have been carved by Colorado River over millions of years.

We hiked 16.8 miles with 4800+ ft elevation change (from South Kaibab Trailhead → Phantom Ranch → Bright Angel Trailhead) in a single day.

Details of our Trip: We parked our car at Mather Point. We then boarded a shuttle at 6:00am to reach South Kaibab Trailhead on the rim. At around 6:30am, we started hiking. After 7.3 miles and 4800 ft elevation drop, we reached Phantom Ranch by 9:45am. We then spent some 2 hours having lunch and having fun at the river. At 11:45am, we started the uphill hike along Bright Angel Trail. After 9.5 miles and an elevation gain of 4500+ ft, I reached the rim at 4:45pm. Two of my friends were faster, reaching the rim at 3:30pm and 4:00pm respectively. Finally, a park shuttle took us to our car at Mather Point.

Difficulty Level: The hike to Half Dome in Yosemite is 15.7 miles round-trip, 4800 ft elevation gain. In contrast, the South Kaibab Trail → Phantom Ranch → Bright Angel Trail route is 16.8 miles long with 4800+ ft elevation gain. Although the distance and elevation gain numbers are quite comparable, I found the Grand Canyon hike tougher for the following reasons:

* Down and Up: In Grand Canyon, any route from the South rim to the river first takes you down by 4500+ ft. Then you climb back up. Most hikes first ascend, then descend. So muscles accustomed to regular hikes face a new situation in Grand Canyon. In the bay area, CA, there are hikes in Mt Tamalpais and Muir Woods that first descend — some practice here might be helpful.

* Gradient: There are virtually no flat stretches along the Bright Angel or South Kaibab trails. On the way back, the trail seemed to go on and on forever! :-)

* Heat: Trails are mostly in the open. We went in mid-October, which is the most convenient month for hiking in Grand Canyon. Still, I felt that the sun was quite intense — I could feel salt on my face towards the end of the hike. The straw hat I wore was very helpful. I can only imagine how hot the sun feels in May thru September! Single-day round trip hikes from rim-to-river should definitely not be attempted from May to September.

Helpful Links: Official website has loads of information. Shuttle schedules. Trail maps. Elevation profiles: South Kaibab — Bright Angel — other trails. Details of Bright Angel Trail: Part 1 — Part 2. An excellent article on day-hikes in Grand Canyon. Maps and high quality details of various trails: South Rim — North Rim. Finally, mileage and elevation profiles of popular trails.

Pictures: Taken on 17 October 2009. I shot 200+ pictures along the trail. Please click on any thumbnail below to get an idea of what the entire hike looks like.

Pictures: Taken on 12 April 2009 during an earlier trip: