Wildcat Peak Loop in Tilden Nature Area

Today, I took a lovely solo hike to Tilden Park, and I finally made the loop to Wildcat Peak that I have been wanting to do for about two years now. Click read more to see maps and trail descriptions for this beautifully varied 4.75-mile loop.

Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the parking lot at Little Farm is closed right now; however, there is parking along the road and in the lots between the Indian Camp and Big Leaf picnic areas (note that the picnic tables are closed). The Tilden Nature Area is open via walk-in access, so I simply walked through the parking lot and bypassed the playground, farm, and Environmental Education Center. Follow the wide road towards the signs for Jewel Lake, and then take the first wide path to the right, an inauspicious route that looks like it might even be a service road.

After you get past the work yard, you will see signs for Laurel Canyon Trail. This single-track trail heads gently uphill and eventually intersects with Loop Road, which I hiked the last time I was here. Laurel Canyon Trail passes through a beautiful eucalyptus forest; the minty, sharp smell of the eucalyptus envelops you, and the songs of the birds echoes in the trees. It is a feast for the senses. After you cross over the Loop Road you can simply continue on Laurel Canyon Trail; however, I opted to make the short jag to the right on Loop Road in order to then turn left on the single-track Pine Tree Trail. I wanted to extend my route a little and to see the pines. I really liked this portion of the loop because it was the quietest section of my route today (it was a little crowded, which was to be expected the day after the 4th of July). It was cool to leave the eucalyptus forest behind for the pines, oaks, and manzanita. 

When the Pine Tree Trail retakes Laurel Canyon, head to the right to continue the uphill climb. At this point, the trail starts to criss-cross various creek beds that feed into the creek that makes Laurel Canyon. In July there was no water, but there is evidence that this area gets lots of water during rainier seasons. The water-loving bay trees that give the canyon its name were dominant, and they gave the air a different kind of smell: sweeter and less minty. There were forget me nots (Myosotis latifolia, link) and various kinds of ferns as well.

I stayed on this trail all the way until its end, when it teed into the paved trail, Nimitz Way. In the last section, after the intersection with Laurel Canyon Road, the trail opened up and there was a profusion of sweet peas (Lathyrus latifolius, link). I really enjoyed seeing this brightly colored flower! It was very impressive to see. I want to come back here, perhaps parking at Inspiration Point. It would be great to walk along Nimitz Way with my daughter--I could bring her stroller and also her little balance bike. The half-mile along Nimitz Way is extremely pleasant. The views are wonderful and there is a nice breeze.

Turn left onto Wildcat Peak Trail at the sign for the Berkeley Rotary Peace Grove. This is a rare grove of Giant Sequoias (Sequoia gigantea, link); the Rotarians dedicate a plaque each year under a tree in honor of someone in the world who has contributed to world peace. There were two well shaded picnic benches here, where I had my lunch. And although I could heard hikers passing by, no one seemed to notice me or to come into the grove to check out the trees--everyone was too anxious to get to the lookout point at Wildcat Peak. Sequoias and redwoods are in the same family, but they are different species; generally speaking, the redwoods live in the coastal ranges and the sequoias live in the Sierras. I did not know that any Giant Sequoias grew this far west! They were not as large as the trees at Calaveras Big Trees State Park, but they were still very impressive.

After lunch, I left my shady grove and retook Wildcat Peak Trail to the very top. There is a circular viewing wall to check out the impressive 360° views. This was also the busiest part of the hike. While I definitely enjoyed the views, I wasn't anxious to hang out at the top so close to people in the middle of a pandemic. I retook the Wildcat Peak Trail heading downhill. I saw more sweat pea, but the thing that was most remarkable was the artichoke thistle or cardoon (Cynara cardunculus, link). These were blooming in abundance, in a shockingly bright indigo color. I also saw two brush rabbits hiding in the brush and plenty of sticky monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus, link). The trail started off as sunny and exposed, more of a chaparral ecosystem. Gradually, it became more shaded as I descended back into the valley where the Environmental Education Center is located. When I rejoined the eucalyptus forest, I heard more of that beautiful birdsong. I veered to the right first at Sylvan Trail and then again at Jewel Lake Trail to get to Jewel Lake.

Jewel Lake is a favorite spot for families with young children. Indeed, I have been here with my own daughter. Today, I looped around the far side of the lake and then took Lower Pack Rat Trail back towards where I parked. This route is not really appropriate for strollers. I saw at least one family struggling here. It's flat enough that even very little hikers can hike it; but the trail is too narrow for a stroller. This trail was a very pleasant finale to the hike. Seeing a heron in the lake and then moving through a tunnel of green made such an interesting contrast to the open, exposed hilltops from earlier.

It was a fantastic hike, utterly refreshing!