Del Valle Regional Park

This 3.5-mile hike is a great introduction to Del Valle Regional Preserve. It takes 1-2 hours depending on how fast you go, and it offers great views of both the reservoir and the surrounding hills. I was lucky enough to catch the golden light of the late afternoon on a stunning October day during an Indian summer.

From the parking lot at the boat launch, catch the East Shore Trail across from the concessions stand. Go north until you get to the first bathroom by the Hetch Hetchy backpacking camp site. You will know that you have the correct intersection because all of the official trails in the park are clearly posted and marked. There are a lot of unmarked trails that people have made just by hiking along creeks, but those are all unmarked.

Turn to the right on the Hetchy Hetchy Trail and climb up to the crest of the hill. There is a lovely bench at the top to take in the view. Shortly after the bench, the connector trail to Hidden Canyon Trail breaks off. Keep to the right both for the connector trail and for Hidden Canyon Trail. When you get to Eagle Crest Trail, stay to the right and follow it up again to a second crest. From there, you will take a right onto Ridgeline Trail and use that to begin your loop back on the Squirrel Gulch Trail. Squirrel Gulch is up-and-down, and a short downhill section of it is QUITE steep. Luckily that section doesn't last too long, but I would recommend a walking stick if you have one. The views on Squirrel Gulch are incredible.

This was a fantastic hike that I will definitely be taking again in the spring, but I would not recommend it for children because of the elevation change and the steepness of the Squirrel Gulch Trail. Luckily there is a lot of stuff to do for kids at this park; in addition to swimming, fishing, and picnicking, you can rent both paddle boats and motor boats to explore the lake. I am really looking forward to camping here too, once my daughter is a little older.