Those of you who didn’t come on Gary McCormick’s hike in Joaquin Miller park missed a real treat. The next one will be Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM in Tilden Park, and I hope that you can join us with family and friends.
We’ll be doing a moderately challenging loop in Tilden Park (with an optional extension up Vollmer Peak), starting from the Steam Trains overflow parking lot (which is not quite where the Sunday ride stops, but close). Including Vollmer Peak, the route is almost 5.5 miles long, with about 1150 feet of elevation gain – I anticipate the hike taking about 3 hours. Parts are quite steep and I would not recommend the hike for anyone with knee issues.
To get there, from Grizzly Peak Blvd, take Lomas Cantadas ( a few hundred feet to the southeast of South Park Drive), and immediately turn left, then fork right into the overflow lot. We’ll meet near the outhouse. Our route will take us down Vollmer Peak Trail to South Park Drive, then along Quarry Trail to the Quarry parking lot, where we will stop for a bathroom/snack break. Suitably energized, we’ll take the steep trail up to Seaview, which we’ll then follow along the ridge with wonderful views of the bay to the west, and Mount Diablo to the east. The lupins and poppies should be blooming to add to our enjoyment. Near the end of the hike those with gas in the tank can head up Vollmer Peak. We’ll then pick up Vollmer Peak Trail again for a short amble back to the car park.
Bring poles, snacks, and appropriate gear for the weather – which may be hats and sunscreen, or could be rain gear. Please let me know whether you can join us.
Fiona
