Family-friendly loop at Coyote Hills Regional Park

This easy 1.16-mile loop through Coyote Hills Regional Park is a family favorite.

The last time I did this hike, I went in the opposite direction. On this trip, I went in a counter-clockwise direction starting with the portion of the Muskrat Trail that is a boardwalk through the Main Marsh. The Muskrat Trail peels off to the right to make a loop, but I headed straight onto the Chochenyo Trail. Again, the named trail peels off to the right but I kept straight, heading to the D.U.S.T. trail. At the t-intersection, I turned to the left and then made an immediate right onto the Lizard Rock Trail. From there, we completed the loop by returning to the parking lot on the paved Bayview Trail. This loop is easy and level, and totally appropriate to do with a sturdy stroller.

It was such a relief to be outside again after having been cooped up for two weeks due to smoke from the Bear Fire in Butte County near Oroville and Chico (that fire has since spread to other counties as well and has been renamed the North Complex Fire).

Although the wildfires are ongoing as 2020 continues its barrage of chaos and disaster, it was a relief to have some blue skies for a little bit.