Arroyo del Valle Connector Trail in Sycamore Grove Park

It's been an uncharacteristically wet/cold week for May. I decided to take advantage of the lingering spring to explore more of Sycamore Grove Park in Livermore. When I explored the Valley View Loop last Tuesday, I said that I wanted to explore the area around the Arroyo Del Valle connector trail between Del Valle park and Sycamore Grove. On this hike, I did just that!

I parked at the Arroyo entrance to Del Valle and then crossed the street to hike along the trail that skirts the perimeter of Camp Arroyo, the Taylor Family Foundation, the Olivina
olive orchard and mill, and the VA Hospital.

The trail goes through a narrow, steep canyon that is evidently carved by the drainage from the dam that makes the reservoir for Del Valle. This part of the park is very lush, and there were enormous palm trees growing along the creek. There were also lots of places that looked like they would make good swimming holes, even in the summer months.

After crossing into the main part of the park, the valley open up. I took Sycamore Trail into the Nature Area of Sycamore, where there was a gorgeous grove of sycamores and lots and lots of wildlife. I saw lots of birds (ducks and herons) and a herd of deer. When I got to Kingfisher Trail, I turned left and crossed the creek (no bridge), and then got on the paved Arroyo del Valle Regional Trail to head back to the Arroyo staging area of the park.

Crossing the creek I saw a froglet, a frog that was in the stage of its life cycle between a fully formed frog and a tadpole. It clearly had already developed its lungs, but it still retained its tail. It was hanging out on a rock, sitting very still and (hopefully) playing dead to keep me from showing too much interest in it. I took a picture of it, but otherwise left it alone. I have never seen one so close before. I also saw several dozen turkeys near the intersection of the Arroyo del Valle trail and the Winery Loop. I enjoyed the views of the cliffs near the northern end of Del Valle as I approached back to where I had parked my car.

This was my favorite park of the park so far, and I can definitely imagine returning here with my family. The hike is just under 5 miles in length with negligible elevation gain. The Arroyo staging area of Sycamore Park charges a parking fee (whereas it appears to be free in the EBRPD lot for Del Valle); however, the fee lot would be best for people who want to bring small children in strollers, because that is where the paved path starts. The unpaved, single-track path between the two parks would be great for older kids, but not really all that good for people in strollers.

I was surprised to see a couple of redwoods too, and I think that this must mean that the steep canyon keeps things wet and cool, even during the hot summer months. I think that I will probably be back to this area when summer really gets under way.