Hike

Join the Grateful Dads East Bay Chapter on their monthly kid friendly hike.

April's hike is in Sunol:

Grateful Dads – East Bay Chapter

Hike # 72

Sunol Regional Wilderness

Canyon View Trail to Little Yosemite

Sunday, April 11, 2009, 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Bedrock mortars used by Native Americans for pounding acorns that were found in the area are reminders of Sunol’s first inhabitants.  For the past century, however, the land known today as Sunol Regional Wilderness was used almost exclusively as ranch land.  Under the East Bay Regional Park District’s multi-use land management policy, cattle continue to graze in the 6,858-acre wilderness.  In fact, in places along the Canyon View Trail, hikers sometimes must share the hiking trail with the cattle.  The Canyon View Trail leads from the meeting area (see directions on next page) to a scenic rocky gorge called Little Yosemite.  We will then follow the Camp Ohlone Road back to the picnic area.  The first mile of this trail is a gentle elevation change of about 430 feet, and the rest of the way is an even more gentle descent down through Little Yosemite (where we’ll have a snack break) back to the picnic area.  The entire hike is between 3.0-3.5 miles, will last about 3.0-3.5 hours.  Hikers with baby joggers will find the first third of this trail challenging, as some parts of the trail are narrow, steep and rocky.  I would not recommend baby joggers if they can easily be left behind.

SCHEDULE:

1:00pm SHARP – meet up and head out.  If you’re late…catch up to us!

DIRECTIONS

From Pleasanton, take I-680 south to the Calaveras Road/CA-84 exit (about 17 miles from Castro Valley).  Turn left on Calaveras Road.  Go about 4.4 miles to Geary Road and turn left.  There is a sign for the park a this intersection.  Geary Road dead ends at the park entrance at about 1.5 miles.  It will take about 25-30 minutes to get here from Castro Valley, so plan accordingly in order to make our 1:00pm SHARP start.

Once you enter the park, drive straight back to the picnic area, and we will meet up by the tables near the Alameda Grove (see map).  Look for my car, a green and tan Subaru Outback.  We will meet up at this location, then walk back toward the park entrance, and cross the steel footbridge to get on the Canyon View Trail.  Follow this trail up the hillside, as it gradually heads away from the Alameda Creek.  Those of you who are hiking at a faster pace than the rest of us can take a short diversion on the Indian Joe Nature Trail, which makes a short loop away from and then back to the Canyon View Trail.  At the Little Yosemite area there are restrooms and a picnic table, which can be used for a diaper changing station.  This is also a good spot for a snack/water break.  At the end of the hike we will return to the meeting place in the picnic area. 

ANY QUESTIONS:

EMAIL: amueller@uspropertyadvisors.com

Allen Mueller (510)432-8322 (cell)

WEB:  www.gratefuldads.com

Grateful Dads – East Bay Chapter

FAMILY/FRIENDS CAMPOUT

And Hike #62

Anthony Chabot Regional Park

Family Campground to Raccoon Point

Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, 2009

Lake Chabot is a 315-acre lake with an intimate feel, which has many nooks and crannies along its shoreline that form bays and inlets, and an island in the middle.  Today, Anthony Chabot Regional Park is one of the most popular fishing spots in the East Bay, and boats and canoes can be rented for trips into the various narrow inlets and bays.  This is the first family/friends hike of the season.  Those who have RSVP’d and reserved a spot for this trip, will meet at campsites 69-72 in the family campground.  There can be two tents on each campsite, so we have room for 8 families so far.  We’ll meet between 2pm and 3pm at the sites to set up our tents.  After the tents are set up we will go on the hike from the campground to Raccoon Point and back.  We’ll have a campfire cookout on Saturday evening, enjoy a RESTFUL night under the stars that night, and on Sunday morning we’ll take down camp and leave around mid-morning.

PLEASE RSVP SOON, SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH CAMPSITES RESERVED!!  WE HAVE 6 OPEN SPOTS!

SCHEDULE:

SATURDAY, JUNE 20

2:00pm to 3:00pm – meet up at campsites 69-72 and set up tents.

3:00pm to 6:00pm – hike to Raccoon Point and back

                We’ll take Honker Bay Trail to East Shore Trail, then Huck’s Trail back to camp.

6:00pm to 7:00pm – campfire and dinner

SUNDAY, JUNE 21

10:00am to 11:00am – pack up and leave the campground.

DIRECTIONS

From Castro Valley, take Redwood Road west to the Marciel Road entry gate.  Take Marciel Road to the family campground entry kiosk.  We will meet at campsites 69-72, which are located towards the back of the campground.

Grateful Dads – East Bay Chapter

Hike # 59 – Redwood Regional Park

Stream Trail

Sunday, March 15, 2009, 1:00pm

We will meet at the Wayside picnic/parking area, just inside the south gate of the park at Redwood Road.  From here, we will hike along the Stream Trail, about 3.0 miles out and back.  About mid-way through the hike, we will stop and have a snack break.  The entire hike will last about 2.5 hours.

SCHEDULE:

1:00pm SHARP – meet up and head out.  If you’re late…catch up to us!

DIRECTIONS

Take either Redwood Road north from Castro Valley or I-580 north to Highway 13.  The park entrance is located just northwest of the intersection of Pinehurst Road and Redwood Road.  From Highway 13 (via I-580), exit at Redwood Road, and come to the park entrance from the west.

We’ll be meeting just inside the south gate entrance at the Wayside picnic area.  Park in the parking lot on the left.  Look for my green/tan Subaru Outback wagon.  We’ll meet here at 1:00pm SHARP, and head out.  If late, just catch up!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS:

Contact:  Allen Mueller   amueller@uspropertyadvisors.com  OR  (510)432-8322 (cell)

ALSO: Check out the Grateful Dads web site at www.gratefuldads.com

April 11 (SAT): Sunol Wilderness (Sunol) (HIKE # 60)

Details to follow

Grateful Dads – East Bay Chapter

Hike #58

Coyote Hills Regional Park

Bayview Trail to Main Marsh

Sunday, February 15, 2009, 1:00pm

The Coyote Hills are the tips of an ancient mountain range, which lies between the Hayward Hills on the east and the Coast Range on the west side of San Francisco Bay.  More than 210 species of birds call the park’s wetlands home.  The original inhabitants of the Coyote Hills were the Ohlone Indians, and the archaeological remnants of this civilization can be found in the park at sites like the Ohlone Shellmound on the east side of the marsh.  We will meet at the visitor center (see directions on next page), and then will head out on the Bayview Trail.  We’ll take the Bayview Trail around Red Hill, and then will cut back towards the Main Marsh on the Nike Trail, which goes up and over the lower portion of the hills.  Follow the Bayview Trail up to the Lizard Rock Trail (the portion which is on the marsh side), and take this to the DUST Trail.  We’ll then take the trail which borders the east side of the Main Marsh (runs along a boardwalk through the marsh), and follow this back to the Bayview Trail, which runs along Patterson Road.  After the hike, we’ll meet back at the visitor center for a picnic lunch.  The entire hike is about 2.5 miles, will last about 2.0-2.5 hours.  Baby joggers would work fine on this hike, since the trail is mostly paved, and the dirt portions are flat.

SCHEDULE:

1:00pm SHARP – meet up and head out.  If you’re late…catch up to us!

DIRECTIONS

From the Castro Valley / Hayward area:

Take I-880 south to Highway 84 (Dumbarton Bridge).  Go west to the Thornton Avenue / Paseo Padre Parkway exit.  Go north (right) on Paseo Padre Parkway.  Go west (left) on Patterson Ranch Road.  Follow this road about 1.5 miles back to the visitors center. 

This is about 20 miles, and 25 minutes from Castro Valley.

We’ll meet here at 1:00pm SHARP, and head out.  If late, just catch up!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS:

Contact:  Allen Mueller   amueller@uspropertyadvisors.com 

OR 

(510)432-8322 (cell)

PLEASE REMEMBER

Check out the Grateful Dads web site at www.gratefuldads.com

AND TELL OTHERS!!!

Grateful Dads – East Bay Chapter

Hike # 57

Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area

Lakeside Trail

Sunday, January 18, 2009, 1:00pm – 3:00pm

The Lafayette Recreation Area is an all-year, day-use area, which is ideal for hiking, jogging, fishing, boating and picnicking.   Rowboats and pedal boats are available for rent.  The enormous playground on the East Lawn offers lively fun for children. The park has restrooms and a fishing dock with adjacent parking.  

The Lakeside Trail is a gentle, paved trail, which makes a ring around the reservoir.  Baby joggers, and even strollers, are easy to use on this hike.  We will take this trail from the meeting area (see directions on next page) to the right towards the activity center (boat rental area).  Mid-way around the lake we will take a snack break / diaper changing break.  We’ll follow this trail as it continues to wind around the reservoir, and will end up at the play structure on the East Lawn near the parking lot.  The entire hike is 2.7 miles, and will last only 1.5 hours, not counting the play-time at the end.

SCHEDULE:

1:00pm SHARP – meet up and head out.  If you’re late…catch up to us!

2:30pm-3:00pm – Kids can play on the play structure on the East Lawn.

DIRECTIONS

From Castro Valley, take I-580 north to Highway 13.  Follow Highway 13 north to Highway 24.  Take Highway 24 east (through the tunnel).  Exit at Alcalanes Road/Diablo Road exit.  Follow Diablo Road east about ½ mile.  There are signs marking the entrance to the reservoir.  At the main parking lot enter the “All Day” parking area, and pay the $6.00 fee (need exact change).  The other lot only allows parking for 2 hours, and we will probably go longer than that.  Once in the main parking area, try to park as close to the east end (number 1 on map below) as you can.  We will meet here at 1:00pm SHARP.  We will follow the Lakeside Trail around the reservoir counterclockwise, stopping at location number 2 on the map for a snack and diaper-changing break.  At number 3 on the map there is a huge play structure. 

ANY QUESTIONS:

EMAIL: amueller@uspropertyadvisors.com

Allen Mueller (510)432-8322 (cell)        WEB:  www.gratefuldads.com

Grateful Dads,

Grateful Dads,

Please join us on our next hike this Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 12:00pm, in Castro Valley.  You’ll notice that this hike is on Sunday, yet our hikes are usually on Saturdays.  That is due to our family’s soccer schedule on Saturdays during the next three months.  Starting with the December hike, we will go back to Saturday hikes at 9:00am.  I have attached a revised 2008 schedule with the next three hikes highlighted in red so that the change to Sunday for the next three hikes will be more obvious.  So, for the next three hikes, the schedule will be as follows:

  September 21-12pm:  Don Castro Reservoir (Castro Valley) (HIKE # 53)

  October 19-12pm:  Del Valle Regional Park (Livermore) (HIKE # 54)

  November 16-12pm:  Garin Regional Park  (Hayward) (HIKE # 55)

I have copied the text of this Sunday’s hike below in the email, and have attached a PDF document with maps to this email. Please remember to check out the Grateful Dads Web site at www.gratefuldads.com in order to get tips on hiking with your children, and to stay current with our various chapters’ schedules.

Hope to see you this Sunday!

Best Regards,

Allen

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Grateful Dads – East Bay Chapter

Hike #53

Don Castro Regional Recreation Area – Castro Valley

Reservoir To Five Canyons Open Space

Sunday, September 21, 2008, 12:00pm

The clear blue waters of the Don Castro swim lagoon are a favorite with central Alameda County residents.  The lagoon and adjacent lake were created in 1964 when the Alameda Flood Control and Water Conservation District dammed San Lorenzo Creek. Today the lagoon is supplied with water from EBMUD, and a large shallow area is roped off especially for children.  The adjacent lake is closed to boating and swimming, but hikers along the shore will discover a surprising wilderness in miniature, where turtles and frogs splash in the water, ducks rest in the reeds and raccoons and deer come down to drink at sunset.  The trail leads from the meeting area (see directions on next page) along the north shore of the reservoir, then up to the Five Canyons Open Space.  The first third of the trail is mostly uphill, but the payoff is the view from the top of the ridgeline above the Five Canyons subdivision.  The last half of the trail is mostly downhill back to the reservoir.  Our hike will last longer than usual at about 2 ½ - 3 hours, and will be followed by a snack back at the reservoir (next to the meeting area).  When I hike this alone, it only takes about 1 ½  hours, but add the kid factor and it will easily be 2 ½ to 3 hours.

SCHEDULE:

12:00pm SHARP – meet up and head out.  If you’re late…catch up to us!

2:30pm-3:00pm – return to parking/picnic area for snack

DIRECTIONS

From I-580 eastbound, take the Center Street/Crow Canyon exit.  Turn right at the stoplight onto Center Street.  Go past Grove Way, and take a left at Kelly Street.  Take another left at the stoplight where Woodroe Avenue goes to the left and Maud Avenue goes to the right.  The entrance to Don Castro is at the end of Woodroe Avenue.  Park in the lot near the swim lagoon.  Look for my green and tan Subaru Outback. 

1:  Meet at parking lot at 12:00pm SHARP.  If you’re late, then catch up.

2:  Take the trail along the stream, cross the bridge, go left at fire road, up hill towards electrical tower.

3:  Follow road (Five Canyons Parkway) to the right, cross, and pick up trail to the left of the waterfall.  Continue on trail up the hill and to the right, around the houses.  Take access road up to water tank at the top of the hill.  Go up hill around water tank, through the gate, and to the bench.  We’ll take a short snack break at this location.

4:  Follow the trail along the ridge line and then to the right. 

5:  Trail heads downhill and past the houses.

6:  From the houses, take the trail down the hill towards the pond. Cross the tiny stream and follow the trail through the woods and under the Five Canyons Parkway overpass.  At this point, cross the stream once more, and take the trail uphill to the left on the other side.

7:  The trail emerges at the street, passes between a couple of houses, and leads back down into another canyon on the other side.  The trail winds around this small canyon, and emerges once again at the street.  This time, follow the trail through the small park, then to the end of the road where it becomes a fire access road.  This road leads back down to Five Canyons Parkway.  Turn left and go back down the trail by the electrical tower where we came up at the beginning.  Follow the trail back to the reservoir, and we’ll have a snack by the water.

ANY QUESTIONS:

Allen Mueller (510)432-8322 (cell)

Grateful Dads,

I hope that you and your family and friends can join us for our annual hike at Tilden Park.  This is one of our special “family/friends” events, so we can get acquainted with the moms as well.  As the name implies, you are also encouraged to bring your friends to this event as well.  There are plenty of activities up at Tilden Park, including the “Little Farm”, the carousel and the steam trains.  I have attached a PDF with more detail as well as a map to this email.  Below you’ll find the text portion of the flyer for this hike.  Also attached to this email is our 2008 hike schedule so that you can make sure that you have the dates marked on your calendar for future Grateful Dads hikes.  Please be sure to visit the Grateful Dads web site at www.gratefuldads.com for information on our hikes, other chapters’ hikes in the Bay Area, and useful information about hiking with your children.  

See you on the trails!

Best Regards,

Allen

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Grateful Dads – East Bay Chapter

Hike #52 – FAMILY/FRIENDS HIKE!

Tilden Regional Park

Wildcat Gorge Trail and Lake Anza

Saturday, August 16, 2008, 9:00am

Most people think of Tilden Park as a place to take the kids.  The park has pony rides, a carousel, a miniature steam train, a swimming beach at Lake Anza, a farm and lots of other diversions to keep the children occupied and happy.  The LONE OAK picnic site will be the meeting area (see directions on next page).  Our hike will start by following the Wildcat Gorge Trail towards Lake Anza.  We will go around the lake and wind up opposite from the swim beach on some large rocky outcroppings.  Here we’ll take a snack break before finishing the trip around the lake.  We then head back down the Wildcat Gorge Trail back to the Lone Oak picnic site.  The entire hike is about 3.0 miles, will last about 2.5-3.0 hours, and will be capped off with a picnic lunch back at the Lone Oak picnic area.  Please bring your own lunch, as none will be provided.  After lunch let the children explore the fun amusement activities of this wonderful park.

SCHEDULE:

9:00am SHARP – meet up and head out.  If you’re late…catch up to us!

12:00pm-1:00pm – Picnic lunch at the LONE OAK picnic area

(bring whatever you want, even coolers, since we’ll be eating next to our cars)

(PLEASE REMEMBER – LUNCH IS NOT PROVIDED)

1:00pm-? – Enjoy the park’s amusement activities with your children

DIRECTIONS

Take I-580 to Highway 13.  Go north to Highway 24.  Go east on Highway 24 to Fish Ranch Rd.  At Fish Ranch Rd, go north to Grizzly Peak Rd.  Take a right on Grizzly Peak Rd.  Turn right and enter the park on South Park Rd.  Turn left on Wildcat Canyon Rd.

Wildcat Canyon Rd. winds around the edge of the park, and then you make a right turn on Central Park Rd.  Take Central Park Rd. past the Carousel, then turn right on Lone Oak Road and procede to the picnic site just across the small bridge.  We’ll meet here at 9:00am SHARP, and head out.  If late, just catch up!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS:

Contact:  Allen Mueller   amueller@uspropertyadvisors.com   OR  (510)432-8322 (cell)

RSVP IS NOT REQUIRED for this hike.  ALSO: Check out the Grateful Dads web site at www.gratefuldads.com