Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, part of the EBRPD, is really gorgeous park that parallels Interstate 680. I had a wonderful hike in the most easily accessible area. There was some traffic noise for part of my hike, but it was peaceful once I climbed over the summit of the ridge. The park is significantly bigger than what I covered in this one hike, and it looks like there is another (smaller) staging area that would allow for access into some of the more remote areas of the park that promise to be more rugged and even more peaceful. Something to check out in the future!
At sign post 8, I looped back onto the gravel road that serves as Oak Tree Trail. After returning to the confusing sign post 5 at the crest of the ridge, I decided to add more length to my hike instead of making a "lollipop." I stayed on Oak Tree Trail as it descended and then peeled off onto the single track Meadow Grove Trail. This part of the hike was particularly gorgeous in December, but there was a lot of traffic noise from 680. I can't imagine how lovely this was before 680 was built. I took this all the way to its end, and then looped back on the Sycamore Grove Trail. The sycamore trees were still in their fall color, and it was really lovely! All in all, I hiked between 4 and 5 miles.
The elevation change was pretty significant, so I would not recommend this hike for anyone who is carrying an infant or a toddler. There were a lot of people hiking with dogs, so it was lovely to see all the friendly pups wagging their tails on the trail. Older kids would get a kick out of this park for sure!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
December 2020
Categories
All
|