French-West Ridge Loop at Redwood Regional Park

This 6.2-mile loop through the northern portion of Redwood Regional Park was a variation on the hike that I originally intended to do--apparently there was storm damage from the rainy winter that we had, and the Stream Trail was closed from the Fern Trail to the Skyline Gate Staging Area, where I parked. But, I made do and adapted my hike. It was SO lovely. It gave me a chance to see even more variety in the types of forest along my route.

Detail from the EBRPD map

Since the Stream Trail was closed, I hiked on the East Ridge Trail to Phillips Loop, where I turned right. I descended through a mixed forest of pine, eucalyptus, and bay until I got to the intersection with Eucalyptus Trail. The trail was clearly marked as closed to prevent people from descending down to the Stream Trail.

I did a bad thing: I sneaked behind the barrier and went down to the Stream Trail anyway. I do *not* recommend doing that, and I am ashamed of myself, but I was just so curious to see the Stream Trail. I was going to take it all the way to the Fern Trail, but I turned back when I could hear the construction noise, and I realized that they really were working on the trail.

After turning back, I went up the Tres Sendas Trail and then turned left onto the Starflower Trail, which is a steep ascent. I then turned left onto the French Trail and followed that for a long time, deeper and deeper into the heart of the park. There are some ups and downs, but the trail stays relatively level. This part of the trail was also very beautiful--not quite as lovely as the Stream Trail, but a really airy forest of second and third-growth redwoods.

I turned right on the uphill ascent on the Fern Trail, which is quite steep and took that all the way to its end on the West Ridge Trail. It's quite amazing to exit the dense forest into the bright ridge-top hike. It's blinding! I took the West Ridge Trail all the way back to my car at the staging area.

The West Ridge Trail goes through a much more populated part of the park. There were loads of joyfully raucous children playing in the meadow of the Redwood Bowl. There were families coming in and out of the Chabot Space and Science Center. There were loads more hikers, especially dog walkers, making use of the various staging areas along Skyline Boulevard. Although I preferred the quiet solitude of my forbidden trek on the closed portion of the Stream Trail, it was actually really nice to pat the friendly dogs and to hear the sounds of children laughing. This part of the hike was really pleasant--flat, shady, with views of the bay to the west and of the mountains in the Diablo range to the east. There was a lovely cool breeze. It ended up being the perfect hike for today.

I would not recommend trying to bring young children on this specific hike because of the length and the elevation change; however, I am already planning on bringing my daughter to the Redwood Bowl (which has its own staging area) and the Chabot Space and Science Center. Although she's a little on the young side, I think that she will still enjoy both.