ONCE AROUND: BRIONES CREST TRAIL

ONCE AROUND: BRIONES CREST TRAIL

Hike Date:  Saturday, May 25, 2024

Leader:  Sam Kaufman

Leader Email:  geogrman@yahoo.com

Leader Phone:  510-599-4056

Hike Rating:  Level-2

Hike Mileage:  6.5 miles

Elevation Gain:  1000' 

Description:  We'll start at the Bear Creek Staging Area and walk clockwise following the Abrigo Valley and Briones Crest trails, returning via the Old Briones Road Trail. Most of the hike is exposed with lots of possible cattle encounters and some late season wildflowers. We'll get nice views of the East Bay Hills and suburbs, including southern Solano County. We'll lunch at the picnic tables near the parking lot to fondly reminisce our morning. Afterward or instead, hikers are free to leave and enjoy the rest of their afternoon.

Bring / Wear:  Bring water, good hiking boots (or walking shoes), the "trail" is along fire roads), hat, sunscreen, and lunch.

Rain Policy:  The hike will be cancelled if rain is likely.  Check back here for any updates.

Dogs:  Woof, yes!   but they may need to be leashed to keep them from herding or bothering the cattle.

Here are the meeting options...

• San Francisco:  Whole Foods (map) @ 2001 Market Street.  Meet on the Dolores Street side.  There's parking on the street or below the building.

SF Meeting Time:  8:45 AM (departure shortly thereafter).

• East Bay:  Rockridge BART station (map).  Meet at the bottom of the escalators.  There's free and ample parking.  

East Bay Meeting Time:  8:55 AM (departure shortly thereafter).

NOTE:  Please only show up at Whole Foods or the Rockridge BART station if you have a ride arranged ahead of time (see Carpool Fees below).

• TRAILHEAD MEETING LOCATION:  We will meet at the Bear Creek Staging Area (map).  Please park in the North or Oak Grove parking lot (left turn) off of the park entrance road.

Trailhead Meeting Time:  9:15 AM (hike begins at 9:30 AM).

Total Driving Distance (round trip):  51 miles (SF), 25 miles (Rockridge BART).

Carpool Fees (per passenger):  $8* (SF) or $3 (Rockridge BART).

*Includes bridge toll.

NOTE:  I'll reach out to those registered who have indicated that they need/want a ride or can take passengers.  If you need to contact me for whatever reason, please do so before Friday @ 3:00 PM the day before the hike.

NEW:  ONCE AROUND is a (2024) trial series of short hikes that will end with everyone having lunch... or not. People can choose to leave right after the hike and have the rest of their afternoon free to themselves.  -- Robert Hickey