SUNOL REGIONAL/MAGUIRE PEAKS
Hike Date: Saturday, February 12, 2022
Leader: Ron Gasparinetti
Leader Email: ron@sfhiking.com
Leader Phone: 650-759-5345
Meeting Location (ONLY IF you've arranged for a ride in SF): Whole Foods;
2001 Market St. @ Dolores (on the Dolores St. side); parking on the street or below.
Please only show up at Whole Foods if you've arranged to meet your ride or driver there.
Meeting Time: 8:15 AM
Departure Time: Shortly after 8:15 AM
Rating: Level 5
Mileage: 12 miles
Elevation Gain: 2500' (the side trip to the summit would add 210')
Description: We’ll start our hike at the Sunol Wilderness Visitor Center with the Indian Joe Creek Trail. This is a pleasant trail along the creek for which the trail is named. It should be running nicely at this time of year. You’ll appreciate the shade of the oak trees as we make our initial 700’ ascent leveling off at the Highland Valley Rd.Trail. Turning right onto Welch Creek Rd for 2/10 of a mile we’ll take an unnamed trail to meet up with Maguire Peaks Loop Trail that will take us right to the top of the peaks via the Maguire Peak Trail. The final 1/10 mile to the top is rather steep and those not wishing to climb it can continue on the loop trail and circumnavigate the Peaks. Everyone can regroup at the junction of the peak trail and the loop trail. We’ll continue down the loop trail to once again join up with the Highland Valley Road Trail and a final ascent to Flag Hill via Flag Hill Rd Trail. The remaining 1.5 miles is downhill to the cars. Most of the hike is exposed with wide open views of local reservoirs and north to Mount Diablo. There are a few precarious sections. A significant portion of this hike is on dirt fire roads, but with impressive views all around us and great photo opportunities for rolling amber/green hills and cows. This is East Bay grassland hiking at its best.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED A RIDE AND/OR CAN TAKE A PASSENGER, AND WHAT YOUR COMFORT LEVEL IS REGARDING PASSENGERS.
Bring / Wear: Lots of water for a vigorous hike; lunch, sun protection-most of this hike is exposed. Poles would be useful for the steep sections or if it’s drizzly.
Weather Policy: Hike will be postponed if heavy/steady rain is forecast
Alternate Meeting Place: Sunol Wilderness Visitor Center. From SF: 80E to 580E to 680S to Calaveras Rd. to Geary Rd. 1895 Geary Rd, Sunol 94586 Google Maps Link
Alternate Meeting Time: 9:15 AM
Alternate Meeting Departure Time: 9:30 AM
Total driving distance, there and back: 100 miles
Passenger Carpool Fees (including $5 entrance fee): $14
Dog fee: +$2 each!
Level-1
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Level-2
|
Level-3 |
Level-4 |
Level-5 |
|
easiest
< 5 miles
< 500' gain
|
moderately easy
5-7 miles
< 1000' gain |
moderate
7-9 miles
< 1500' gain
|
strenuous
9-12 miles
< 2000' gain
|
very strenuous
12-15+ miles
>2000' gain |
