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calbq
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We are getting ready to Hike Ohlone wilderness trail starting from Stanford Ave. to Del valle. What I have read so far on line is that most people have started the trail from Del Valle and not from Stanford ave. Are we making a mistake?
Has some one been on the trail recently?
What is the water situation at different campground along the trail?
Are faucets at campgrounds reliable?
Thank you in advance for your help.
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Total Posts: 2 | Joined Mar. 2008 | Posted on: 8:38 pm on Mar. 12, 2008 | IP
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FastHiker
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If anything, I think going from Stanford Avenue to Del Valle is a little easier. In my opinion, the single worst hill on the hike is from the sign in board to the first ridge when you start from Del Valle. From there you hike down into William’s Gulch and then start on the second worst hill, i.e. “Big Burn”. If you are coming from the Stanford Avenue direction, you are going down these hills, not up.
Coming from Stanford Avenue, only 3 hills come to mind. The first is the climb to Mission Peak. The second is going though the “Backpacking Area”, which is on the border of Sunol. The third is the hike out of William’s Gulch.
I hate that hill between Stanford Avenue and Mission Peak. Hiking up the hill isn’t too bad because the mountain is in front of you and the freeway, houses, and valley are behind you. Hiking down that hill is boring beyond belief. It is one long boring downhill. You get to look at the freeway the whole time.
My information on the water supply is out of date.
The obvious water faucets around the Sunol parking lot used to be out of service but there was some bottled water on the porch of that small ranger building.
Most of the water faucets aren’t along the Ohlone Trail. You have to make a side trip.
There was a water faucet in the Backpacking Area but a sign says you should boil the water before using it.
There was a faucet in Maggie’s Half Acre but I haven’t been there in ages.
This time of year there may be a couple very tiny creeks along the way, assuming you don’t mind drinking something that most likely passed through a cow.
(Edited by FastHiker at 8:26 am on Mar. 13, 2008)
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Total Posts: 260 | Joined Nov. 2004 | Posted on: 7:44 am on Mar. 13, 2008 | IP
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calbq
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Thanks , Fast hiker!
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Total Posts: 2 | Joined Mar. 2008 | Posted on: 9:08 pm on Mar. 25, 2008 | IP
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Eric White
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I've Hiked into Ohlone Wilderness from the Del Valle side three times in the past six weeks, starting with a round trip to Murieta Falls, then a little further, and this past weekend I make it to Rose Peak and back.
I've thought about FastHiker's comment about the toughest climb on the trail, and have come to the conclusion he is right about it being between the sign-in board to the first ridge. While the Big Burn is one tough climb, it is also more gradual and is broken up with some not-as-steep sections, as well as nice curves and such. That first climb from the sign-in board is one continuous, steady, moderately steep climb that doesn't let up until you reach the ridge.
This past weekend was my 1st hike up to Rose Peak, and I didn't really know what to expect from the terrain. As I saw the dip toward Indian Creek and viewed the climb to Rose beyond it, I must admit that I was beginning to question the wisdom of setting my sites on the peak, but in the end I'm glad I made the trek - over 19 miles in 6hrs 15mins, so I'm pretty pleased with that performance.
A question for those who've hiked the entire trail:
I've been thinking of heading out from Del Valle and hiking through to Stanford, but always assumed this was a 2-day trek, spending the night somewhere like Maggie's Half Acre. However, this weekend I noticed a couple fairly large groups hiking all the way through, and it didn't look to me like they had camping gear. Is the entire 28 mile trek a reasonable goal for a long 1-day hike?
(Edited by Eric White at 5:36 pm on April 1, 2008)
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Total Posts: 63 | Joined April 2005 | Posted on: 5:35 pm on April 1, 2008 | IP
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4wheelbob
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I couldn't agree more with Fasthiker. Starting from the west side is infinitiely easier. The first 8 - 10 miles from Del Valle are unreal.
I've never done it from Stanford. I DO find Mission Peak a comfortable day hike and a great way to warm up for the jaunt to Rose Peak. If this is your first time, you probably did yourself a service by starting in Fremont.
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4wheelbob
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Total Posts: 67 | Joined July 2006 | Posted on: 10:26 am on April 12, 2008 | IP
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elevenbravo
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I think a 28-miler is a totally reasonable goal for a one-day hike. Provided you start out early in the morning and are in good physical shape, I don't see any reason why you couldn't complete it in a single day. I've completed quite a few 30+ mile one-day treks before (grant it I was absolutely exhausted at the end of the day), so I think it's well within the realm of possibility.
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Total Posts: 3 | Joined May 2008 | Posted on: 10:26 pm on May 13, 2008 | IP
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Bay Area Hiker Discussion Board
Ohlone Wilderness trail
