Featured hike
Mile:
0.0: Begin from the parking lot, and walk north on the paved park road to a gate on the right. Once through the gate, pass the pit toilet and you'll reach a T junction. Turn right onto Carquinez Overlook Loop Trail.
0.10: An unsigned fire road departs off to the right, a spur which ends at "downtown" Port Costa. Continue to the left, and ignore the well-worn path climbing to the hilltop on the right.
0.36: An unsigned fire road breaks off to the left (not on the map). Continue straight.
0.50: Signed junction -- start of loop. Turn right.
0.72: The first of two dead-end spurs on the right. Continue straight past both.
0.83: Path to overlook and bench, right. When ready, walk back to Carquinez Overlook Loop Trail, and continue, now heading west.
1.00: Junction again, at the close of the loop. Continue straight, and retrace your steps back to the trailhead.
1.50: Back at the trailhead.

Getting there:
From Highway 80 in Contra Costa County, exit Cummings Skyway (exit 5). Drive south about 1.5 miles, then turn left onto Crockett Boulevard. Drive north on Crockett Boulevard about 1 mile, then turn right onto Pomona Street. After about 0.5 mile Pomona ends at a three way intersection. Bear right onto Carquinez Scenic Drive. Continue east less than 1 mile, then turn left into the Bull Valley Staging Area. Once inside the gate, turn right into the small parking lot (the road continues downhill to Eckley Pier).


Read about this hike in more detail and view photos at http://www.bahiker.com/eastbayhikes/carquinezwest.html

© 2003 Jane Huber/Bay Area Hiker