One of my favorites single track trails! A decent climb if you're heading west. Great for dogs!read more

GOLDEN SPIKE TRAIL. Before taking this hike, I sometimes park in the lot adjacent to the Trudeau…read moreCenter. Trail maps and an official trailhead to Dunn Trail are found at the east edge of this parking log. The route along Dunn Trail brings you through a prairie that contains dozens of serpentine boulders and, at the far eastern side of this prairie is the trailhead to Golden Spike Trail. If the lot is full, you can park on Skyline by the curb near Trudeau Center. MY PHOTOGRAPHS. One of my pictures was taken in serpentine prairie at the start of my hike. The others were taken at various locations along Golden Spike Trail: (1) Tree with many wiggly moss-coated branches. (2) Octopus tree (meaning a tree with many branches that form arches that bend to the right and bend to the left). (3) Another octopus tree. (4) Close-up view of graffiti girl. (5) Mountain goat standing on stone monument to boys who built Golden Spike Trail. (6) Mountain goat standing on top of boulder in serpentine prairie. I bought the mountain goat from gift shop at Glacier National Park. This was my first photo of the day. HISTORIC MARKER ON GOLDEN SPIKE TRAIL. Once you pass the horse stables, you will encounter on Golden Spike Trail a historic marker with a metal plaque that describes the boys who built this trail. Further along, on this lengthy and fairly level stretch of hiking, you will encounter a branch in the trail, which takes the form of TOYON TRAIL (Toyon takes you up uphill to West Ridge Trail). Continuing along Golden Spike Trail, the trees thin out and scraggly little brushes dominate the groundcover, and you will encounter yet another branch in the trail. This branch takes the form of a tiny trail that is only 20 feet long, and it connects directly with WEST RIDGE TRAIL. I took this tiny connecting trail, and then made the return hike all the way up the steep West Ridge Trail, then down Graham Trail, and then along the level Dunn Trail back to the parking lot at Trudeau Center. BOOK BY AMELIA SUE MARSHALL. Amelia Sue Marshall is the author of EAST BAY HILLS. This book describes the origin of many of the trails in Redwood Regional Park, including Golden Spike Trail. We learn that a big storm in 1962 caused flooding and massive piles of mud. We learn that, "park managers decided to build a new trail, parallel to . . . Redwood Road . . . inmate crews from Alameda Country juvenile hall provided labor . . . a monument with a brass plaque stands at the spot where two crews of boys met in 1965" to build Golden Spike Trail. SERPENTINE. As stated above, the western terminus of Golden Spike Trail is located in a prairie that contains serpentine boulders. Serpentine has the chemical formula 3 magnesium atoms, 2 silicon atoms, 5 oxygen atoms, and 4 hydroxy groups. Serpentine is the name of a group of minerals, including chrysotile (a type of asbestos), antigorite (the most common type of serpentine), and lizardite (has scaly surface) Serpentine is colored green and it has a slippery feel. Oakland hills contain a series of rocky outcroppings called, ophiolite. The ophilite rocks are made of either serpentine, rhyolite, or gabbro. See, pages 314-316 of Doris Sloan and Donald Wells (2006) The Hayward Fault. Geological Society of America Field Guide 7. See also, oaklandgeology dot com, for its description of the serpentine in the Oakland hills. See also, page 38 of, National Geographic Pocket Guide Rocks & Minerals by S.Garlick. See also, page 3 of Guide to Mount Diablo Geology (by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association).

I've spent so much time on my couch lately, I left a permenant indentation in one of the cushions…read more I decided to get some exercise and tackled York Trail. It was a beautiful, shady hike, with a nice view from the top. The path winds it's way along a creek, and over some old wooden foot bridges. It's a very picturesque location. It wasn't very difficult, but there is some elevation, so I was sweating. I brought two bottles of water and only had a little left at the end. There were some friendly people on the trail enjoying the sights and walking their dogs. It was fairly easy to navigate even without a map, but I don't recommend it. I just like to live dangerously.

Review is for the York Trail hike in the park, I found a waterfall hike that wasn't too far and…read moredecided to come check it out. Parking is easy early in the morning and it's a short walk from the street to the trailhead, when we came the parking lot was closed. The trailhead is located near the ranger station with the closed parking lot, its right next to it in the lower section and not up the small hill. The trail is not well maintained and there were 2-3 areas where the footpath was very small, if you slipped you would be going down a pretty steep cliff on the left. About halfway through it got too dangerous with 2 kids and we had to turn around. The section was on an incline with very small footpaths and we decided it was better to turn around than to risk falling down. It was shaded and enjoyable so we would go back if the trails are ever fixed.

This was a nice Sunday hike around the Mills College at Northeastern campus in Oakland, CA. We had…read morea beautiful day and also visited the Mills College Art museum. You enter at the front gate 5000 MacArthur blvd. You'll Need to show ID. Dogs need a special permit- so most likely do not bring them. Parking and museum are free and everyone seemed welcoming. Now for the hike- I was confused where to go...but once I scanned the QR code on one of the trail posts, I could see the trail map. We parked at the museum and walked in a counter clockwise direction. Basically you are hiking along the perimeter of the campus - past sports fields, pool, chapel, farm, small cemetery, main quad area (called the oval). Part of the trail near Pinetop Hill was closed to us, but that was okay since we were ready to check out the free museum (featuring well known artists as part of the collection). If I wanted a peaceful getaway, with a new art exhibit , I would go back. It's a special gem in the area that I never had visited until today. Here's a link to the map: https://footpathapp.com/routes/efbdfeac-7ca1-48d4-8592-ac5535ebdbbd

"Peaceful, Hike, but Watch out for Beehives!"…read more Pinetop Fitness Trail is a scenic trail around the outskirts of Mills College in Oakland. The total distance is about two and a half miles, and it's an easy hike. Along the way, you hike through parts of the campus and see a cemetery, a community garden, and beehives. You can access the trail in multiple places throughout the campus. The security booth at the entrance to the college also has maps of the campus. However, the maps do not show the beehives. The day that I visited, the trail was unexpectedly blocked part way through. I had to figure out how to get back to the main road. This is a great place to visit if you're interested in a peaceful syroll through a beautiful campus. At the far end of the trail, near Pinetop road, there's a crest that you that has beehives. I'm pretty sure the bees don't like it if you get very close.

A sweet experience that's more of a nature walk than an actual hike, though it starts with steps…read morefrom the Monterey Boulevard side of things. It took about an hour and was mostly flat with a few slight uphills here and there. Plenty of off-leash dogs, if that kind of thing bothers you. It doesn't bother me as long as they're friendly, and they were.

Perfect trail for city folk or children. If your a real outdoors person or have needs for longer…read moretrails for physical fitness - there are better places. The trail is peppered with numerous trolls. Kids and young at heart adults would love this sort of thing. The trolls are made of all different materials and so have varied personalities. There were countless trolls but I took a few photos of my favorites. City folk would love this place. If you are cooped up in a tiny two bedroom apartment with no back yard and no privacy this is just the place to go. Even though I've got a massive private backyard diligently maintained with lush landscaping I still enjoy this place. Came around sunset and the way light filtered through the branches of soaring redwoods was majestic. Lots of shady paths but they were a bit muddy - so don't wear your favorite Dunks. The entrance is hard to find and parking is mostly street. People walking here were friendly and many took their dogs. Kids seemed to enjoy the swing area toward the back best. Rocky's market area would be a perfect place to park. Then walk up the hill and look for the public hidden staircases. Elderly might have trouble with stairs. Wheelchair people I didn't see here. Moms with strollers - I'm not so sure - there are lots of roots and hills and parking might be a little ways away. If your blind be sure and bring a person who can tell you how beautiful things are. If a person was blind from birth I wouldn't know what to say. I once met a person as such and had a hard time describing anything as there is no point of reference ever. If you want to recreate this kind of feeling in your own backyard do as I do: Plant narrow evergreens around the entire perimeter of your yard. Then add some bird of paradise and palm trees. Presto! every time you enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning in your yard you have privacy and even in the winter it is green and beautiful.

Love this as a short hike! It starts in Lot E of Merritt College. Pretty tucked away (this is the…read moreback parking lot). Parking is $2 for the whole day if you don't have a student pass. Dogs are allowed off leash. +1 just for that! My dog loves this trail! It's not extremely long and does have some fairly steep inclines. The middle of the trail is covered by trees, so on a sunny day you have some protection. There's also a stream that runs along part of the trail that I've seen some dogs splashing around it. Not a crowded trail. Good if you want some peace and quiet and a nice view.

Great hidden trail that is part of the East Bay Parks system. I take my dog here, sans leash This…read moreis a great alternative to the crowded scene at nearby Redwood Park where hikers, dog walkers and bike riders sometimes fight it out for trail supremacy. Perhaps this place is a hidden gem because it's a little hard to find. Take Keller up the hill heading east, pass Skyline Pizza and a little shopping center off to your right then make the first left on Campus Drive. Make your first right into Shadow Woods condo complex and head left or all the way to the back of the condo complex and you will find the trail parking lot. It's about 2 miles of moderate up hill and connects to the Merritt College campus. A creek runs along the trail the whole way. Dogs love it because they can run around and take cooling dips when they want. Even on weekend it does not get that crowded.

a review from @amom2kidsandapark…read more A perfectly gated tot lot in Piedmont! I love a good gated park... add shade, sand and a low play structure and it makes for the perfect place to enjoy hours of play. In addition to the structure, the play area has bucket swings and a teeter totter. The structure is mostly wood with a slide, tunnel, ladder, and steering wheel. Steps aren't needed for this low structure; it really feels more like a platform than anything else. There are community given toys at this park but not too many to make it feel cluttered. My kids actually played mostly with the playhouse and single slide than the structure. (Of course they did. ) The playground wasn't too crowded when we arrived but as the morning went on many nannies arrived with their double strollers and kids. For a small space it started to feel a bit crowded. Along one side of the park is a cement wall. So perfect for some chalking and really added a "been here for a while" vibe with the moss and plant growth. Under the big shade trees are a couple full size picnic tables. Street parking is easy. No bathrooms. This playground is very close to Morcom Rose Garden. If you've never been it's a must see and a great bonus to add to a visit to Linda Playground

Great park with kids! Everyone was super friendly and my daughter loved it so much! We made some…read moregreat friends too

Went to visit a friend who lives on Malcom Ave. On a beautiful day, we went for a walk with her…read moredog into Knowland Park which we have done several times. You can access the park at the end of several dead end streets off Malcom Ave. There are trails in the park that are adjacent to the backside of Oakland Zoo. Since our previous visit last July, where goats were in the area clearing out tall grass, the Zoo has since expanded into the Park with new fencing built to mark the new zoo boundaries. During our social distance walk, we were able to look through the double layer of fencing to see the bears in their lair. The views! You get gorgeous views from the East Bay across to the West Bay from SF down to the Peninsula. A peaceful park that is peaceful and not crowded. Great place for a walk with gorgeous views.

Heard about this spot from a coworker. Finally checked it out one afternoon with my husband…read more We entered the park from a dead end court in the neighborhood, taking the trails at random. Little did we know this area is up Above the back side of the Oakland Zoo. May be one of my new favorite open spaces to explore and unplug.

This trail is pretty advanced, so don't try it for your first hike. Also, please note it is on…read moreEBMUD land, so you need to purchase an inexpensive permit. The rangers will come around and check, so be sure to get the permit. You can buy it online for about $10. There is a large staging area called Chabot Staging, right off Redwood Road. It's a large parking lot with one outhouse. I don't recall seeing any drinking faucets there however. The trailhead is very close by. You will be required to sign in with your permit number at a little kiosk there. There is also a road nearby going into the area, but that is actually a private road, so stay off that. It leads right to the dam. I have mixed feelings about the trail. Some sections of it are really rutted and difficult to hike, whereas others are really beautiful. On the day that I visited, I measured six miles from the gate at Chabot to the gate at Rocky Ridge. None of the sections were super steep, but I didn't like hiking through the rutted areas, which are often near cattle drinking troughs. However, if you like really oozy mud sticking to your hiking boots, you will love those sections. I took three liters of water which proved to be a good amount. Many of the hikers on this Trail are geocachers, discovering the little hidden containers spread out along the trail.