Bear Creek Trail - Briones Reservoir

Bear Creek is a pleasant and senic hike, with ample views of the reservoir as you hike along the shore.

Trails Taken - Bear Creek Trail

Mileage - 3.8 miles (One way)

Trailhead - Started at Bear Creek staging area, finished at Overlook staging area.

Notes and Impressions - 

Started out in a little brush, but trail opened for a little, and I saw this unique tree right in the field to the left of the trail:

I hiked for approximately .56 miles, and reached the "real"start of the Bear Creek trail, which then follows along the reservoir for the rest of the hike.  

The trail is mostly shaded and very pretty, and at about  1.05, there is a nice bench to relax upon.  

1.17 In a wooded shaded area with lots of bay trees, brush, mossy covered stumps

1.21 Big old bay trees on the right

1.29 Really pretty section, but the whole trail is quite nice so far

1.32 Trail is single track, lots of beautiful mossy covered trees, ferns, lush grasses

1.42 Trail is going in to gradual, comfortable incline

1.51 Bear Creek Road  is on left, fairily close and above the trail, about 20 meters to left

1.59 Trail hugs road for a bit

1.62 Beautiful oak and bay trees on right between you and reservoir as you hike on this narrow path, trees hoover over you but you still hear traffic on left

1.80 Still hugging road but not much traffic, for the most part it's quiet

1.94 Beautiful twisted oak at this spot

2.11 On left is fire trail on right is Bear Creek trail, so stay on Bear Creek

2.14 Great shot of reservoir as you climb this hill

2.17 Another georgous grove of old oaks

2.26 Nice grove with two benches, take a snack and some water

2.28 Really nice views of water

2.31 Beautiful hawk just flew right over my head

2.33 Trail crosses fire road, just go across road

I met some nice guys here from the East Bay Trail Dogs, and they were working on the trail

2.86 Going through really pretty canopy here

2.96 Bay trees are criss crossing above you, laying on top of one another

3.34 Pretty trail with nice view of water on right,  looks like a barn across the water

3.37 Bench and nice view

3.39 Pretty view of reservoir, walking through pine trees

3.47 Rounding reservoir, beautiful trail, seeing Manzanita brush

Beautiful views on right,, to left is steep hillside with dense trees

3.67 hardly anyone out there, stunning

3.70 Take left to overlook staging area, (don't go on Orsan trail unless you want a really long hike)

3.76 arrive at staging area

No real elevation challenges

Beautiful, mostly covered trail 

Occassionally you'll hear cars on bear creek road, but you'll lose yourself in this trail

Images: 

Comments

[RM]

Hi, and thank you for the beautiful website I consult often before hiking. I am going to Bear Creek Trail soon and have a question: are there any sharp drop-offs? I am scared of sharp drop-offs such as the ones that there are at Mt. Diablo and go out of my way to avoid those trails!! Thanks. RM

[East Bay Trails]

Hi RM, thank you for your comment. I know exactly what you mean about the sharp drop offs on some of the Mt. Diablo trails. The slopes and narrow, single track trails can make hiking there a bit more challenging.

The Bear Creek Trail runs along the Briones Reservoir. There are some slopes, but I've found the trail to be wider and less precarious than some of the Mt. Diablo trails. I would suggest bringing a walking stick for additional balance. It's a beautiful trail with a lush canopy and views of the water, so I certainly recommend it! Enjoy, have fun and be safe.
Paul S.

[RM]

Thank you so much for your answer! We plan on doing the entire Briones Reservoir loop this coming Saturday. I am excited about this hike and am grateful for your timely answer.

My husband and I have been hiking for just over a year or so, and I think it's the best thing we have ever taken up. We hike at least once a week. Our longest hike so far has been a 17 mile loop at Pleasanton Ridge (from Oak Tree Trail all the way up to Turtle Pond Trail and back), and our second longest, but way more challenging, has been Murrieta Falls via Lake Del Valle (Ohlone Wilderness Trail).

Again, thank you. I like your website very much and consult it often. It doesn't get any better than that! Great quality pictures, too! RM