King's Canyon Loop Hike - Trail Notes

A ranger from East Bay Mud told me that this is one of the most popular hikes on their trail system.  This is a beautiful loop hike that takes you through nice oak forests, open rolling hills and along a senic reservoir filled with all kinds of birds.  The trail is wide in most places, and there are some nice benches along the way where you can stop, take a break and enjoy the scenery.

Trail Head: Valle Vista Staging area. Toilet available, no water.

Trail Map

Photo Map

Video Guide:

Highlights:

Start of the hike, parking area is on the left

Walk through a nice little pine forest before reaching the bridge

Lot's of these bird houses along the wayOne of my favorite sections of this hike, a beautiful Oak forest

Nice views of the reservoir along the wayTrail Sentry...cows are friendly though, but give them space

Near the end of the hike...staging area is in the top right of this picture

Full Photo Gallery:

Huckleberry Hike, Part 2

This short video will give you some idea about how narrow the trails can get at Huckleberry Botanic Preserve. After the wet winter we had last year, the plants are just reaching out to touch you as you hike.  These walk through videos are all taken on the Huckleberry Path, the 1.7 mile loop that showcases some of the rare and beautiful plants and trees of the East Bay.  There is a naturalist written pamphlet at the trail head that will point out some of the unique vegitation as you hike.  The trees and plants featured in the pamphlet have numbered sign posts in front of them, so they're easy to find.  For more information about this trail, please visit the trail notes.

Hayward Regional Shoreline Video

Hayward Regional Shoreline is a beautiful place to hike, run, or bike.  There are thousands of birds coming in and out, and you'll have an opportunity to watch them feed if you time it right.  The best time to see them is at low tide.  You can see a tide chart here.   You may want to review this site to better understand the types of birds you will see.  There is also an interpretive center located right at the shoreline.  It's that brown shingled building you see as you drive by on Highway 92.  

Trail Map

East Bay Parks Page

This video was taken on a rainy afternoon on January 13th, 2011. 

Old San Pablo Trail - San Pablo Reservoir

Location: East Bay Mud North Watershed - Orinda

Trails Featured: Orinda Connector Trail, Orsan Trail, Old San Pablo Trail

Photo Map

Trail Map

Total Mileage: 3.31 Miles

Total Ascent/Descent: 940 Feet

Notes:

This hike was taken on May 17, 2011.  

This is a nice out and back hike or run with limited elevation change and a beautiful canopy on most of the trail.  There is a place to park just at the trail head, right off the intersection of Bear Creek Road and Camino Pablo.  You'll see the trail, and you'll have to sign in and enter your EBMUD permit number and license plate number.  

Starting out at the Orinda connector Trail, you'll see this:

At .22 Go straight on to the Orsan Trail.  There are some beautiful old trees along the trail, with lots of bird activity.  Also, much of the hike is along the San Pablo Reservoir, so you'll hear and see quite a few water birds.  

At .57 Trail turns in to Old San Pablo Trail.  On your right is an EBMUD maintenance site.

At 1.22 Cross the gravel road and continue

Nice Canopies throughout this hike

At 1.47 Cross Bridge

At 1.64 Old San Pablo Trail ends.  At this point it turns in to Inspiration Trail. Turn around here.

On return, at 3.07, continue on to Orinda Connector Trail.  Continue on until you're back to the start of your hike, at 3.31 miles.  

Slideshow:

King's Canyon Loop Trail Highlight Reel

This wonderful loop trail, about 6.5 miles, is a great hike or run, especially if you are trying to prepare for a trail 10k.  You'll see groves of Oaks, nice views of the Upper San Leandro Reservoir, numerous birds, including water birds, and possibly deer, wild turkey, rabbits, horses and probably a few cows.  In the wetter months, I've even come across some California Newts.   Enjoy...

Location: Starts at Valle Vista Staging Area

Trails Featured: Riche Loop, Rocky Ridge Trail, King's Canyon Loop Trail

Permit Required