Los Vaqueros

Los Vaqueros (Spanish for the cowboys) is a reservoir for the Contra Costa Water District. It is open for recreation, although during the time of COVID, the types of recreation are limited mostly to hiking and fishing. Los Vaqueros charges a $6 day use fee, and it is accessible on the north end from the Antioch Area and on south end from Livermore. Los Vaqueros has 60 miles of hiking, and it connects to both Round Valley (to the North) and Morgan Territory (to the South).

My hike followed the route in red, a 8.6-mile lollipop trail that started from the marina. I had not checked the trail guide for this hike before leaving, but (rather) had estimated the mileage from the main map. The mileage posted there on that map was incomplete, and before leaving I estimated that my hike would be between 5-6 miles. I suggest that you research the trail guide site thoroughly before leaving so that you plan adequately for water and time. 

Despite the unexpected mileage, this ended up being a very pleasant hike. From the Marina, take the Los Vaqueros Trail all the way along the curve of Cowboy Cove.

I really liked the area right around the curve of the cove--there were a bunch of beautiful oak trees that had been drowned in the damning of the reservoir. There was something eerily beautiful and ghostly about these trees in the water, especially near the pop of red of an old barn. Here, I saw deer and a flock of about two dozen wild turkeys, along with the foundation and chimney ruins of an old farmhouse. The hillsides were still scarred by the SCU Lightening Complex fires in August, but the old oak trees seemed to have survived, and some wildflowers were still blooming. This would have been a great turn-around point for a very satisfying in-and-out hike.

The Los Vaqueros Trail eventually veers to the left and climbs uphill. At the first intersection on the hill, turn to right to take the Peninsula Crest Trail as it climbs somewhat steeply up to the crest. The views here are gorgeous. Along the Peninsula Crest Trail there are a couple of picnic benches at lookout points. You can see Antioch and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to the northeast. I saw storm clouds gathering to the northwest, over the area where Round Valley must have been. I started walking faster when I saw those gathering clouds!

Eventually the Peninsula Crest Trail winds its way down back to the water, where it becomes the Peninsula Trail. It parallels the coastline and retakes the Los Vaqueros Trail.

Note: this trail was very pleasant in the fall, and I imagine it would be stunning during the wildflower season in the spring; however, it would not be fun to do this hike in the middle of the summer heat because it is quite exposed.