BAYLANDS NATURE PRESERVE - CHARLESTON SLOUGH LOOP
Hike Date: Saturday, June 11, 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.
Meeting Time: 9:00 AM
Departure Time: Shortly after 9:00 AM
Rating: Level 2
Mileage: 12 miles
Elevation Gain: 194'
Description: This hike holds some of the best examples of tidal marshes, shorebirds and their nesting areas, and solitude in the Bay Area. There is no shade on this loop and the weather can be anywhere from hot and still to cold and damp. It is usually refreshingly breezy. Most of this hike is on flat, course- surfaced trails. We’ll start our journey at sea level at the Shoreline Park Kite Flying Area, climb 33’ and then descend 33’ to cross over Stevens Creek into the Steven’s Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area and eventually to the northern end of the Moffet Field airstrips. Retracing our steps a bit we’ll wind up on the San Francisco Bay Trail following that to the Adobe Creek Loop Trail. The Adobe Creek Trail encircles a large tidal marsh and brings us to Byxbee Park. Numerous permanent outdoor artwork pieces dot this hilltop park. Popping out next to highway 101 near the freshly refurbished Emily Renzel Wetlands and Wildlife Pond, we’ll walk the next .7 mile watching cars zip by as we silently judge the occupants for not being out on the trails, in the sunshine, enjoying nature. We’ll dive back into the marshlands along Adobe Creek, take a walk around the probably loud and crowded Amphitheater Lake, pause at the Rengstorff house, and cross through a golf course to rejoin our vehicles.
Bring / Wear: Please bring: lots of water, lunch, lots of sun protection, hat, sturdy shoes, hiking poles if desired.
Weather Policy: Contact hike leader if weather is questionable.
Alternate Meeting Place: Shoreline Park - Kite Flying Area Parking. From 101 take the Shoreline Blvd. exit and follow it through the stone gates of Shoreline Park. There is a booth at the entrance but it is unmanned and there is no entrance fee. The parking area is on your right just a few hundred feet from the entrance. Google maps may say this parking area is temporarily closed; it is not.
Google Maps Link
Alternate Meeting Time: 10 AM
Alternate Departure Time: 10:15 AM
Total driving mileage from San Francisco: 72 miles
Passenger Carpool Fees: $10 from SF; $14 from Rockridge-Bridge Toll included
Level-1
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Level-2
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Level-3 |
Level-4 |
Level-5 |
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easiest
< 5 miles
< 500' gain
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moderately easy
5-7 miles
< 1000' gain |
moderate
7-9 miles
< 1500' gain
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strenuous
9-12 miles
< 2000' gain
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very strenuous
12-15+ miles
>2000' gain |
