Highlight Reel - Kennedy Grove

Kennedy Grove Regional Park has a peaceful picnic area that sits under towering Eucalyptus trees.  But the real beauty of this park is the stunning Oak Forest at the top of the Upper Sea Foam Trail.  Take some time from your picnic and wander up to see these Oaks.  You'll enjoy the hike and get to experience something unique and beautiful.  This highlight reel follows my hike from the picnic area up to the Oak Forest, and back down again. Enjoy!

Photo Map  (Images from the hike as seen on Google Earth)

Trail Map

Highlight Reel:

Hike to Las Trampas Peak

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.

 

Trail Map

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.  

Here is the photo map.  (Press "Play" to see where each image was taken on the trail.)

Whispering Creek Trail

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...

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.

Location: 

• From I-580 eastbound from San Leandro, take the Grove Way exit in Castro Valley; right at the exit onto Grove Way; left on Center Street; left on Kelly; and left on Woodroe to the park entrance.
• From I-580 westbound take the Castro Valley exit and continue west on E. Castro Valley Blvd. to Grove Way; left on Grove; left on Center; left on Kelly; and left on Woodroe to the park entrance

Trail Map

Photo Map

Mileage: 2.08 miles

Ascent: 1518 feet

Descent: 1512 feet

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.  

Photos:

  

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

Photo Map

Mileage: 4.07 miles

Ascent: 1553 feet

Descent: 1591 feet

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.

Slideshow