CITY OF OAKLAND - OFFICE OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Montclair Recreation Center, 6300 Moraga Ave., Oakland CA 94611 (510) 482-7812
Hiking is encouraged and supported by the City of Oakland and Montclair Recreation Center. All participation is free. Hikes include a variety of terrains, elevations and locations and are usually within a travel range of 30 miles of the Montclair Recreation Center. All hikes are led by experienced participant/volunteers who are knowledgeable about the hikes they are leading. Leaders, however, are not certified by anyone, nor do they carry emergency supplies or provide first aid. Hikers are therefore responsible for their own participation.
The following schedule attempts to provide the best available hikes for the current season. At times an alternate may be offered by a participant if the scheduled hike is too strenuous.
Hiking schedules are published three times a year: January, May and September and are posted at a website maintained be Vern Buck. Go to www.geocities.com/montclairhikers.
Updates and flyers will be sent electronically or by mail if needed.
Hikes are open to everyone. Meet at Montclair Recreation Center (MRC) on Tuesday before 9:00 AM. At that time questions about the offered hike will be answered by the leader, and car pools will be formed. Each rider pays 10 cents/mile to the driver. Departure from the center is at 9:00. Unless otherwise noted. Plan to return to the center around 3:00 P.M.
Participants are responsible for determining if the scheduled hike is matched to their ability. If you have questions about a particular hike, call the leader whose name appears after each hike description below. Hikes may include steep hills. Carry fluids, snacks, sunscreen and your own first aid supplies.
Recommended gear includes: windbreakers, sun hats, hiking sticks, day packs and hiking boots for uneven terrain. Carry ID, medical card(s) and emergency numbers.
The Location of a hike may be changed. The scheduled hike is sent through Yahoo Groups each Friday before the hike. Any last-minute changes or alternate hikes may be posted just before the hike. If you are unsure if the scheduled hike will take place because of weather or if you plan to go directly to the staging area, you may call the leader for confirmation.
While on the trail, generally stay in a group. Some hikers are faster than others. If you are passing the leader, let them know, however, you are solely responsible for making sure you remain in site of the group. The leader will pause at major trail junctions. If you are leaving the group or need assistance, notify the leader.
Leaders are expected to scout the trail before the actual hike.
Volunteers maintain an email list for information and schedule updates.
To subscribe, send a message to [email protected] or [email protected]. Your e-mail address will be added to [email protected]
To obtain a current hiking schedule go to www.Geocities.com/montclairhikers.This is the Montclair Hiking Club website; maintained by Vern Buck, with links to other hiking clubs.
September 1, 2009. ALAMEDA CRAB COVE. Leader: Marilyn Cossey and Darrell Hogan 510-339-9356. Take Webster Tube to end in Alameda. Turn RIGHT on Central one block, LEFT on McKay Ave. to parking area. Walk Crown Beach, Shore Line and Bayview Dr. Cross the Blue Bridge to Bay Farm Island and Continue along Shoreline Park to the Ferry Terminal and return. Flat 7 miles mostly Asphalt.
September 8, 2009. UPPER SAN LEANDRO RESERVOIR-King Canyon Loop. Leaders: Sally Shaver 510-893-7293 and Diane Taylor 510-843-1953. From MRC head East on Mountain Blvd. Turn LEFT up Snake Rd., STRAIGHT onto Shepard Canyon Road. CROSS Skyline onto Pinehurst Road, through the city of Canyon. Continue to the junction with Canyon Road and BEAR LEFT along Canyon Road for about 3 miles. Turn RIGHT into Valle Vista Staging Area, Moraga. Hike EBMUD watershed. King Canyon Loop: George Wagnon and part of Rocky Ridge trails and explore two narrow canyons at the northern end of Upper San Leandro Reservoir. Many ups and downs, some steep. Lots of shade and wide views. 6.5 miles moderate. Sticks recommended. At the staging area EBMUD parking lot register your license number at the kiosk behind the fence. Leaders will have an EBMUD trail pass.
September 15, 2009. GARIN REGIONAL PARK. Leader: Vince Mok 510-339-0122. From MRC drive 580 South to Foothill Blvd/Hayward (238) exit. Drive about 5.5 miles south, (Foothill merges left into Mission Blvd). Turn LEFT onto Garin Ave. and convene at lower parking lot at end of road. Hike Ridge Loop, Meyer Ranch, and Dry Creek trails. Visit Indian grinding rock site. 6 miles of mostly moderate hiking, starting with some hill climbing, then down and flat.
September 22, 2009. SAN LEANDRO-HAYWARD SHORELINE. Leaders: Karen Halliday 510-483-2415 and Dorothy Shipp 510-531-9522. From MRC take HWYs. 13/580. Exit Edwards and take 73rd Ave South, becomes Hegenberger. Take HWY. 880 South. Exit Marina Blvd. WEST. Turn LEFT at end and continue on Monarch Bay Drive past golf course on the left and park in the parking lot at dead-end. Hike from San Leandro Marina to Sulphur Creek and return. Flat, easy 6.5 mile walk along shoreline Lunch along the way.
Alternate hike: from San Leandro Marina to bridge and back. Flat, easy 4.5 mile hike. Lunch at San Leandro Marina. CAR POOL ACCORDINGLY
September 29, 2009. SWEENEY RIDGE, SAN MATEO CO. Leader: John Eastman 510-841-9104. From MRC take HWYs 13/24/580 across Bay Bridge to 101 South. Continue WEST on Hwy. 280. Exit Hwy 280 at Sneath Lane. Travel west (LEFT) on Sneath Lane across Skyline Blvd. (stop light) to the end of Sneath Lane. (Convenience stop at the 76 Union station, NW corner of 280 and Sneath Lane. No restrooms at trailhead.) You can see forever on a clear day. Located on the ridge between the San Francisco airport and the Pacific ocean. Spectacular views. The trailhead at the end of Sneath Lane has mid week parking. Moderate 7 mile hike with ups, downs and some stairs. Trail partially paved. Bring binoculars and a wind breaker.
October 6, 2009. FORT POINT TO KIRBY COVE. Leader: Gerry Miller 510-339-0618. From MRC take Hwys.13/24/580 to Bay Bridge. Take Fremont exit. RIGHT onto Folsom. LEFT onto Embarcadero. LEFT onto Bay St. RIGHT onto Laguna, LEFT/RIGHT onto Marina Blvd. Bear right onto Mason St. into the Presidio just before the Palace of Fine Arts. Take Mason to a LEFT jog onto Crissy Field Ave. Soft left onto Lincoln Blvd. Turn RIGHT into Battery East parking lot. Hike starts from upper parking lot. Hike the Golden Gate to Kirby Cove for lunch and back. Some uphill on return. 5-6 miles. Pavement.
October 13, 2009 MT. TAM – ROCK SPRINGS. Leaders: Bonnie Herman 510-653-5409 and Lois Horwitz 510-547-4266. From MRC take 13/24/580/80 and cross Richmond Bridge. Take Sir Francis Drake/101exit. Stay on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Take ramp onto US-101 towards San Francisco. Exit RIGHT onto E. Blythdale (HWY 131). Turn LEFT on Camino Alto. Turn RIGHT onto Miller Ave., LEFT on Montford (see 2 AM Club on left as you turn). Follow main road: Molino, Edgewood, and Sequoia Valley, which intersects Panoramic at Four Corners. Continue RIGHT on Panoramic Hwy. Drive past Mt. Home Inn to Pantoll. Turn RIGHT at Pantoll and go 1.3 miles to Rock Springs parking lot. Hike will start at Rock Springs, go down Old Mine Trail to Pantoll, Pantoll to Bootjack. From Bootjack, we will take the Matt Davis Trail to Nora trail and have lunch at West Point Inn. Return on Rock Springs trail to Mountain Theater and back to Rock Springs. About 5-6 miles of moderate up and down, with half shade, half exposed. Great views when clear. Bring sticks and a snack, due to a slightly late lunch.
October 20, 2009. LAFAYETTE- MORAGA TRAIL. Leaders: Ann and Stewart Chalem 925-377-0698. From MRC head East on Moraga Ave. Turn LEFT up Snake Rd. and straight onto Shepard Canyon Rd. Cross Skyline and take Pinehurst Rd. through the city of Canyon. Continue to the junction with Canyon Rd. and bear LEFT along Canyon Rd. for about 3 miles. Turn RIGHT into Valle Vista Staging Area, Moraga. At the staging area EBMUD parking lot register your license number at the kiosk behind the fence. (EBMUD regulations). Hike north to St. Mary’s for lunch and return same route south. Terrain: Flat pavement. Distance: about 7 miles.
October 27, 2009. TILDEN PARK – LAKE ANZA. Leaders: Vivian Golden 510-482-4426, and Sybil Marcus 510-841-1722. From MRC take HWYs. 13/24 through Caldecott Tunnel. Take Orinda exit from Hwy 24; take Camino Pablo east to Wildcat Canyon Rd. Turning LEFT, ascend to Inspiration Point and park. Hike down Meadows Canyon trail to Wildcat Gorge. Hike up Gorge Trail across from caves to Lake Anza. Lunch at lake in picnic area. Return via Curran trail. About 4 to 5 miles, moderate.
November 3, 2009. COYOTE HILLS REGIONAL PARK. Leader: Susan Field 510-339-2409. From MRC to HWY 880 South to Fremont, take HWY 84 West to Exit Paseo Padre Parkway. Turn RIGHT and drive North 1 mile. Turn LEFT onto Patterson Ranch Rd. to the Visitors Center. $5 parking fee (self-register at automated fee box when kiosk is unattended). Add $2 fee for dogs. Lots of parking in the park (No parking on Patterson Ranch Rd). A circle trip on the Coyote Hills trails, including the Alameda Creek trail and a southern extension to the San Francisco National Wildlife Refuge for lunch. This is a 7 mile, easy hike at sea level mostly on pavement. Note from Susan: To avoid a parking citation each car must pay $5.00. The machine takes ONLY $1, $5 and $10. No credit cards and no $20.
November 10, 2009. U.C. OPEN SPACE – Claremont Canyon Preserve. Start Grizzly Peak Blvd. Leaders: Lisa Parker 510- 923-1346 and Joan Warner 510-547-1602. From MRC take Hwy 13 onto Tunnel Road. Turn RIGHT on Claremont Ave. and veer LEFT onto Claremont Blvd which becomes Belrose. Turn LEFT on Derby (no sign) and RIGHT on Warring St. Turn RIGHT on Dwight Way and go 1-1/2 blocks. Turn LEFT at Prospect. Turn RIGHT onto Bancroft. Turn RIGHT on Panoramic Way, then a quick jog to the LEFT onto Rim Rd. Turn RIGHT on Centennial Dr., past the Lawrence Hall of Science and CROSS Grizzly Peak Blvd. to enter Tilden Park. In Tilden, enter the parking lot on the right. Convene in parking area. Walk to Grizzly Peak Blvd. South to Donner Lab, UC open space. Scenic with panoramic views from Claremont Canyon. About 6 miles, some climbing. We might even hear hyenas!
November 17, 2009. GOLDEN GATE PARK-STOW LAKE. Leader: Marion Purcell 510-531-0685. From MRC take HWYs. 13/24/80 and cross Bay Bridge. Take 101 South toward Golden Gate Bridge. Turn LEFT onto Fell St, bear LEFT onto Kezar Dr. to Lincoln Way. Enter Golden Gate Park from 19th Ave. Convene at Stow Lake. Walk to Great Hwy and north to Cliff House. Lunch on Sutro Heights and return. Hike about 7 miles, mostly flat and breezy.
Alternate directions From MRC take Hwys. 13/24/80 and cross Bay Bridge. Take 101 South toward Golden Gate Bridge. Left onto Fell. Enter park onto Kennedy Drive to Stow Lake.
November 24, 2009. RICHMOND HARBOR- S.F. Bay Trail. Leader: Judy Casey 510-482-3887. From MRC take HWY. 13/24/580/80 to Richmond. Exit onto Harbor Bay Road LEFT to the end and park at the Ford Building Mall. Hike the S.F. Bay Trail for 3 miles and return. This hike is adjacent and West of Pt. Isabel. Easy, flat 6 miles. Could be windy.
December 1, 2009. BRIONES REGIONAL PARK. Leaders; Sandra Venning 510-530-5799 and Rose Ting 510 339-8761. From MRC take Hwy 13 to Hwy 24 East. Take the Orinda exit and turn LEFT under the freeway. Go Northwest 2.2 miles on Camino Pablo to Bear Creek Rd. Turn RIGHT on Bear Creek and go 4.5 miles to the park's Bear Creek Valley entrance. Turn RIGHT, and after 0.3 mile reach the entrance kiosk. Continue 0.1 mile to the last parking area. There may be a parking fee. We will sample the trails across the rolling hills of this large park, making a loop of approximately 7 miles. Mostly dirt trails, with beautiful views of the countryside. Some elevation change, but not too steep.
December 8, 2009. Holiday Hike and Luncheon. Leaders: Lois Horwitz 510-547-4266 and Susan Field 510-339-2409. Hikers leave MRC at 9:30 AM. Hike through Piedmont to downtown Oakland arriving at restaurant by 12 noon. Hike covers five miles, 90% of which is level or down hill. There is underground parking in the 900 block of Webster and can be accessed from Webster or Franklin Sts. After luncheon, return at your convenience. Hike, car pool, or take public transportation. Noon Luncheon: Silver Dragon Restaurant 835 Webster St., Oakland. Three delicious entrees. $18.00 payable to Susan Field: 5948 Alhambra Ave. Oakland, CA. 94611. Wine or beer at your own expense.
December 15, 2009. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. REGIONAL SHORELINE. Leaders: Margaret Phillips 510-655-3348 and Dorothy Shipp 510 531-9522. From MRC take Hwy. 13 South. Take Redwood Rd. Exit West (becomes 35th Ave.) Go onto Hwy. 580 South. Exit High St. west. CONTINUE on High St. passing under Hwy.880. Turn LEFT onto Oakport Rd. Pass EBMUD lot on right. Turn RIGHT on narrow dirt road. Notice small “Soccer Field” sign. Park at end. This is a restored tidal flow at the edge of San Leandro Bay and the Airport Channel. Walk the Damon Marsh, Garretson Point, San Leandro Creek and Arrowhead Marsh Trails. Watch for many species of birds and native plants. Hike is flat, Easy 6 miles. No dogs due to wetlands.
December 22, 2009. TILDEN PARK- Starting at Environmental Center. Leader Wilma Austern 510-547-1399. From MRC take HWYs. 13/24 just east of the Caldecott Tunnel, take the Fish Ranch Rd. exit and go 1 mile uphill to a junction with Grizzly Peak Blvd. Turn RIGHT and go 5.4 miles to the intersection with Wildcat Canyon Rd. and Spruce St. Turn RIGHT onto Wildcat Canyon Rd., then immediately LEFT onto Cannon Dr. Go downhill 0.3 mil to a junction with Central Park Dr., then turn RIGHT and go southeast 0.7 mile to Lake Anza Road. Turn LEFT and go 0.3 mile to a large parking area. From the Little Farm/Environmental Education Center. Hike Wildcat Peak Trail to the top of Wildcat Peak, down through the Peace Grove and along the Nimitz Trail to Inspiration Point. From there we'll go down the Curran Trail to Wildcat Gorge and over to Lake Anza. We'll walk around the lake and back to the Wildcat Gorge Trail to return to our cars. This will be about 7.5 miles, moderate. 1250 ft. elevation gain.
December 29, 2009 ROUND VALLY LOOP-Round Valley Regional Preserve. Leaders: John and Lucille Serwa 510-832-3559. From MRC take HWYs 13/580 to Livermore. Take the Vasco Rd. EXIT North for 14 miles. Turn LEFT (West) on Camino Diablo Rd. and drive 2.1 miles. Camino Diablo Rd. becomes Marsh Creek Rd.; continue 1.6 miles to Round Valley parking area on the left. Hike Miwok Trail along Round Valley Creek and on Murphy Meadow Trail and return. 6 miles easy.
Alternate Route: From MRC take HWYs 13/24/680 EXIT Ygnacio Valley Rd. for 7.5 miles to Clayton Rd. Turn RIGHT on Clayton Rd, becomes Marsh Creek Rd.; CONTINUE past Morgan Territory Road and Deer Valley Road. to the Round Valley parking area on the right (It’s about 12 miles from Clayton)
TITLE VI COMPLIANCE AGAINST DISCRIMINATION43CFR 17.6(B) Federal and City of Oakland regulations strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation or AIDS or ARC. Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by the City of Oakland, Office of Parks and Recreation should write to: Director of Parks and Recreation at 1520 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA 94612-4598 or call (510) 238-3092.
INCLUSION STATEMENT It is the intent of the City of Oakland to fully comply with the Americans with Disability Act. The Office of Parks & Recreation (OPR) is fully committed to compliance with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please direct all inquiries concerning program & disability accommodations to the OPR inclusive Recreation Coordinator at ((510)) 615-5755 or [email protected]. TDD callers please dial ((510)) 615-5883.