Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks

Featured hike
Mile:
0.0: From the parking area, walk down a broad, palm-lined path heading south. When you reach the red barn, walk to an undersigned junction just past (south) of the barn, and take the second trail heading right.
0.2: Junction. Turn right and cross over the spillway, then turn left.
0.4: Junction. Turn right onto High Ridge Loop Trail.
0.5: Junction. Continue straight on High Ridge Loop Trail.
1.7: Junction near Tamarack entrance. Bear right and then left to continue on High Ridge Loop Trail.
2.2: Junction. Turn left, still on High Ridge Trail, and head uphill on a wide trail that runs along a creek bed.
2.8: Junction. Continue straight on High Ridge Loop Trail.
3.0: Junction with a trail not on the map. Bear left and remain on High Ridge Loop Trail.
3.5: A loop path to Gossip Rock begins on the right. Continue on High Ridge Loop Trail.
4.2: Meyers Ranch Trail heads downhill to the left at a signed junction. Continue straight on High Ridge Loop Trail. 
5.3: Junction. Bear right onto Newt Pond Trail.
5.7: A rough path heads to the creek on the left, and another continues straight. The whole area is scored with cow paths, so I don't suppose it matters much which way you go, so long as you pass through the creek at the obvious crossing. On the other side, turn left onto multi-use Old Homestead Trail.
5.8: Junction with Vista Peak Loop Trail. Continue straight on Old Homestead Trail.
6.1: Old Homestead Trail ends at a gate. Turn left, go around (or through) another gate, and you'll be back in the parking lot.

Getting there:
From Highway 880 in Alameda County, exit Tennyson Road (exit 26). Drive east on Tennyson to the junction with Mission Boulevard. Turn right onto Mission Boulevard and drive south about 1 mile to Garin Avenue (look for brown parks sign). Turn left and follow Garin Avenue to the end of the road, about 1 mile. Once past the entry kiosk, bear left and park in the lot shown in the photo to the right.

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


© 2002 Jane Huber/Bay Area Hiker