Today was my first excursion into the Sunol Valley area which is located between Pleasanton and Fremont east of the San Francisco Bay. To get a feel for the terrain, I did an afternoon jaunt into the Sunol Regional Wilderness. It's a nice section of lush hills (not too lush in the summer) that is actually located just east of the Mission Peak Area that I wrote about in the previous journal entry. I drove up I-680 from Fremont to Sunol. All along the drive is gorgeous private wilderness property that is mostly ranch land with a few mansions scattered on selected hilltops. Noticeably placed along the freeway, however, are signs advertising 20 acre parcels of land for sale. In my opinion, these hand-lettered signs are some of the telltale signals that development is impending here. I'm not sure how much residential development is allowed in this area, but subdivision into medium-sized pieces definitely reduces the opportunity and increases the expense for nice sized public land purchases in this incredibily accessible place. As I drove through, I mentally outlined some really sweet hiking and mountain bike trails that could snake through the hills. I hate looking longingly at perfect trails that are locked away behind a fence.
I hit the park about noon and the weather and temperature were ideal. I like to ride when it's around 60 degrees out because I sweat so damn bad when it heats up that people I meet must think I'm dying. I parked and rode up the Hayfield Road trail to the Maguire Peaks loop. The whole ride is on fire roads so it's not technically challenging. In the winter and spring, though, the hills are covered green and riding up the first 2 mile portion of the trail is like climbing an endless emerald carpet. Cows are all over the place and they've really rutted up much of the roads. The ruts aren't noticible until you ride downhill and about tear your arms off in vibration. I discovered today, too, how stupid these cows can be. There was this one bovine member on the opposite side of the trail from me behind a barbed wire fence. As I rode next to him, he felt threatened and, instead of simply running in the opposite direction, barreled through this 8 inch gap in the wires. That stupid thing tore the shit out of himself squeezing through. Ahhh, the impressive wild cow.
As I rode up, I passed a great day-hike picnic area at the 2 mile mark. The ride really starts getting interesting once you get past the lower sections and approach the Peaks. Everything becomes forested, the trail gets a bit muddier and the terrain more rocky and impressive. You get to see the Peaks from all impressive angles as you circle them. This is great place for a little solitude and soul searching. I saw NO ONE on the trail, not even a hiker. Of course, I was there during the work week, but even on weekends I can't imagine too many crowds. This place is an East Bay gem.
I didn't have time to scope out Sunol proper or the Pleasanton area, sorry!.
I hit the park about noon and the weather and temperature were ideal. I like to ride when it's around 60 degrees out because I sweat so damn bad when it heats up that people I meet must think I'm dying. I parked and rode up the Hayfield Road trail to the Maguire Peaks loop. The whole ride is on fire roads so it's not technically challenging. In the winter and spring, though, the hills are covered green and riding up the first 2 mile portion of the trail is like climbing an endless emerald carpet. Cows are all over the place and they've really rutted up much of the roads. The ruts aren't noticible until you ride downhill and about tear your arms off in vibration. I discovered today, too, how stupid these cows can be. There was this one bovine member on the opposite side of the trail from me behind a barbed wire fence. As I rode next to him, he felt threatened and, instead of simply running in the opposite direction, barreled through this 8 inch gap in the wires. That stupid thing tore the shit out of himself squeezing through. Ahhh, the impressive wild cow.
As I rode up, I passed a great day-hike picnic area at the 2 mile mark. The ride really starts getting interesting once you get past the lower sections and approach the Peaks. Everything becomes forested, the trail gets a bit muddier and the terrain more rocky and impressive. You get to see the Peaks from all impressive angles as you circle them. This is great place for a little solitude and soul searching. I saw NO ONE on the trail, not even a hiker. Of course, I was there during the work week, but even on weekends I can't imagine too many crowds. This place is an East Bay gem.
I didn't have time to scope out Sunol proper or the Pleasanton area, sorry!.
No comments:
Post a Comment