| Re: RR: small ride in Tilden Park
On Sun, 3 Dec 2006 21:12:08 -0800, Beej wrote
(in article <1165209128.569223.166370@j44g2000cwa.googlegroups .com>):
> It had been several days since the rain, and the biting cold was just
> starting to abate, so I took advantage of the late afternoon hours to
> ride up on the usual loop to Tilden Park above Berkeley.
>
> Of course, this is California, so "biting cold" means something like
> 45F. But today was great; short-sleeves and all!
>
> Took Claremont Ave to the top of the hill, then Grizzly Peak Rd up to
> the steam trains, then the trail up to the top of Vollmer Peak.
> Claremont's steep and each trip up brings numerous close shaves by
> passing cars, but it's the fastest way up to Vollmer. (For the first
> time today I saw a roadie going up it, even. They usually opt for the
> more sane Tunnel Rd.)
>
> Up on Vollmer at about 1900', it was a great view. There were low
> misty clouds to the east, and Mount Diablo was poking up through. The
> near-full moon was rising.
>
> Downhill from there along Seaview Trail! All that pavement climbing
> and this is the payoff. The trail was dry and fast, though there were
> quite a number of hikers out and that kept speeds down. Said hi to
> everyone; they all said hi back.
>
> Reached the stone circle (actually concrete--remnants of an old
> observatory or something?) and looked out to the west. The sun was
> just about to set and San Francisco Bay and the Berkeley shore shone
> blue in the fading light. The low tide had actually exposed a sand bar
> in the Bay between Berkeley marina and Emeryville marina. One of my
> sailing buddies had told me about that, but I'd never seen it. I guess
> one of the sailing clubs actually goes out there and has breakfast on
> the thing sometimes!
>
> I had no light, so didn't tarry. Down through the corkscrew, through
> the forest, and on along the ridge. I zigged down Big Springs Trail,
> and zagged back Quarry Trail down to the Quarry picnic area.
>
>> From there, a short paved stretch got me to Inspiration Point for
> another view northeast, and then down Curran Trail turning right on
> Meadows Canyon trail.
>
> This was my departure from the ridge down into the park canyon-proper,
> and the temps got lower as I dropped down between the ridges.
>
> Sometimes after heavy rains, this trail can turn into a total mudbog.
> Today the bog was only slightly tacky dirt, so it was no biggy. The
> trail twists along the hillside down into the canyon alternating
> between oak and grass. The closer to the parking lot I got, the more
> the trail was pockmarked by hikers and horses, but its still in decent
> shape. It's luxury compared to some of the cattle-ridden trails in
> Wildcat Canyon.
>
> Passed a lot more friendly hikers out there...but I was the only bike I
> saw on the trail.
>
> A steep-but-short climb out Canon Dr to Summit Reservior, then down
> Spruce to the University, and through downtown to home!
>
Thats my after work fitness loop, up spruce, down canon, curran, seaview,
quarry, meadows canyon and out, 12 mi. +- . Those concrete circles are the
remnants of old defense installations. Soon the lower tilden and wildcat
trails will be to muddy to ride. I love the views from up there.
Paul
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