If you do decide to go during the summer time, caution should be exercised for long hikes such as this: there’s little shade and little water along the way.

Essential Info

• Hours: Varies (Check Del Valle website)
• Cost: $2/person for trail permit, $6/vehicle
• Difficulty: Hard
• Time: ~8 hours.
• Length: ~14 mi. in and out
• Elevation Gain: 4550ft.
• Additional COVID-19 info (as of 2/2021): The West shore parking lot at Del Valle is closed but a small parking lot is available at the turn off leading to it. Water and bathroom facilities are closed. Go early!
• Water: Camps in the wilderness offer water, however a filter is recommended.
• Dogs: OK, $2/dog
• Website: Del Valle and Ohlone Wilderness

Getting There

Heading on I580 East, exit N. Livermore. Continue south where the road will transition into S. Livermore and then Tesla streets. After about 0.5 miles, make a right at Mines Road. Continue for approximately 3.5mi and continue straight onto Del Valle Rd. This road will take you to the main entry gate of Del Valle.

After the entry gate, proceed straight towards the West shore. After crossing the bridge, turn right. At the time of this writing, the West shore facilities are closed and you should park at the small parking lot at the turn off; it’s a short walk to the West shore parking lot. If it is open, you park in the main area. The trail head is towards the far end of the parking lot.

The Hike

From the West shore parking lot, look for the Ohlone/Sailor Camp trail head signs around the far end of the parking lot. The trail back tracks along the lot for a hundred feet, then switches back into a slight ascent.

The first segment is the Sailor Camp trail which is an intermediate hike to the Ohlone Trail. At the start of the Ohlone trail is sign-in sheet.

Along the way, water is available at Stromer Spring (use a filter!) and shortly after, Boyd’s camp offers an outhouse.

From there, the most difficult stretch of the trail descends into Willams Gulch and subsequently climbs out over an elevation gain of ~1450 ft.

Johnny’s pond marks the end of the ascent and a crossroads. Keep right around the pond to go to Murietta falls.

If the falls are flowing, you’ll cross a small stream that is the fall’s source. Look for a large boulder which marks the turn off to go to the falls.

As one last hurdle, there’s a steep, narrow descent to get to the base of the falls.

Trail Gallery

Related and Nearby

• Del Valle Arroyo Entrance
  • Intermediate hike to the top of the dam and along the east shore
• Brushy Peak
  • Intermediate level hikes with good bird viewing
• Los Vaqueros Reservoir
  • Smaller version of Del Valle lake with recreational amenities and hiking
• Concannon Vineyards
  • Restaurant and wine tasting
• Wente Vineyards
  • Restaurant and wine tasting
• Altamont Beerworks
  • Taproom

The post Murietta Falls: Lake Del Valle-Ohlone Trail appeared first on East Bay Wild!.

Spring is quickly approaching, marking one of the best times to visit Mission Peak. At an elevation of 2516ft, its far from the tallest peak in the area behind Rose Peak (4816ft) or Mt Diablo (4856ft), but is also far more accessible. Our trip here brought us out on a foggy day which gave us a nice dreamy view of the surrounding valley.

Mission Peak Essential Info

Length: 7 mi
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Website: East Bay Parks Website
Parking fee at Ohlone (EBParks members still need to pay): $4
Hours From Ohlone:  6am – 10pm
Hours From Stanford Ave:

Dec 23 – Mar 31: 6:30am – 8:00pm
Apr 1 – Dec 22: 6:30am – 9:00pm

Dogs and Bikes OK.

1 liter of water per person advised! Summer noon hikes up are ill advised due to lack of cover from the sun for most of the trail.

Getting There

Ohlone college is located near the northern Mission Blvd exit off of I-680. From either direction on 680, take the Mission Blvd/238 exit. Proceed east onto Mission Blvd (If coming from the South Bay, veer right if from the North, veer left). Turn left into Ohlone College at Pine street. Continue onto Aquatic way (Pine st veers right) and park in the parking structure on your left. Remember to pay the parking fee!

The Trail

The trail begins just off of Pine St. If you’ve parked in the structure, it’s located just across the roadway. If you’ve parked elsewhere on the Ohlone campus, you’ll need to walk over to Pine St and take it up towards the parking structure and the aquatic center.

Checkpoint: Overlook

After a few twists and turns up a steady incline take a quick breather and take in your first views of the Sunol Valley and Mt. Diablo.

Checkpoint: Junction

As the trail nears the summit, it joins with trails coming from the Stanford Ave. staging area. With a bathroom and picnic table, it’s a good rest stop before tackling the final ascent.

Checkpoint: Summit

The most challenging section of the trail is scaling the summit with it’s craggy boulders and uneven rocks. Take your time and use your hands to help maintain balance.

With views all around and the iconic sight tube post, the summit is a great reward for those who make it up! Once a post for exploring other features of the Bay Area via sight tubes, the “Peeker Pole” has been turned into a famous selfie icon.

Return

Return on the same trail as you came in. For a little diversity, you can also try to descend via the Hidden Valley trail to the Stanford Ave staging area, and then take an Uber/Lyft back to Ohlone.

The post Mission Peak – From Ohlone College appeared first on East Bay Wild!.

Facilities: Visitors Center and vault toilets.
Hours: 8AM-5PM (winter) 8AM-7PM (and later depending on month)
Dogs: $2 fee.
Parking: $5 per vehicle
More Info: East Bay Parks Website
The site says there’s no drinking water, but they often serve water out of drinking jugs near the visitor’s center.

Seasonal Note: Like many East Bay parks, Sunol Wilderness can be extremely hot and exposed during the summer.  The longer hikes are best avoided during this time of year. Spring is the best time, offering wild flowers, flowing creeks, and milder temperatures.

Highlights

Flag Hill towers above the valley floor offering breathtaking views of the surrounding areas. The trail is steep but quick to reach the peak and has various return route options.

Getting There

Access the park via 680. From the South bay, take 680N to Calaveras/84-W off ramp and make a right onto Calaveras Road.

From the northern bay areas, take 680S to the Calaveras Road/84 Dumbarton Bridge exit. Make a left onto Calaveras Road. Note that the preceding exit is labeled “Sunol” and is not the correct exit.

Stay on Calaveras Road for 4.3 mi. Along the way, you’ll come across a couple of plant nurseries, a construction aggregates facility,and a water treatment plant along the southern side of the road. The road is also popular with bicyclists.

At approximately 4.3 mi, make a left onto Geary Road. At the time of this writing, Calaveras Road is closed beyond Geary road making this turn really hard to miss.

Geary Road will eventually lead to an entrance gate and ranger booth that will provide a park map in exchange for the vehicle entry fee.

The Trail

The rocky cliffs topping Flag Hill are an intimidating sight for anyone attempting this trail. While the climb will keep your quads burning, the trek to the top is short. Before you think you won’t be able to go any further, you’ll find yourself at the top, looking over the grand views over the valley floor.

Start at the visitors center, crossing the Alameda Creek bridge. Proceed left (west) along the Canyon View trail and turn right (north) at the Flag Hill Trail trail sign. The trail will immediately begin ascending, zig-zagging its way up the side of flag hill.

Just before the top, a rocky, narrow section requires a little balance and caution. Once past this, a wide, barely inclined path leads up to the peak.

Checkpoint: The Peak

Checkpoint: The Overlook

Proceed just a few yards past the peak onto the Flag Hill loop trail where you’ll catch better views of the valley below.

Checkpoint: Fossil Rocks

At the top of Flag Hill is Flag Hill Loop Trail. This short but deceptive trail offers more views westward towards the bay and of the MacGuire Peaks. Bear in mind that this loop descends quite a bit before ascending (rather abruptly) back to the top.

Checkpoint: High Valley Camp

The Flag Hill marker designates the intersection of the trail and Flag Hill Road. Take this road north, going away from the valley and descending behind a hillside. After a few switchbacks and a fallen oak tree popular with the squirrels, you’ll come across Hayfield Road and the High Valley camp.

Checkpoint: Indian Joe Turn Off

Hayfield road will continue back to the visitors center. However, if you prefer a more shaded route to return by (recommended), look for a signed intersection on the left hand side about a quarter mile past High Valley camp. The turn off with double back along a hillside before crossing a stream and placing you on the Indian Joe Trail just below the Cave Rocks.

The shade on the Indian Joe Trail makes for a more comfortable return trip and provides for greener surroundings.

Checkpoint: Indian Joe Creek

From here, continue to descend along the Indian Joe Trail where you’ll meet the Canyon View trail and head right (west) back to the visitor’s center.

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