Parks district offers wealth of activities ---
The beautiful parks of the East Bay are natural treasures that are often under-utilized. People who do enjoy park facilities, events, and programs with family and friends have made it part of their lifestyle. Many people aren’t aware of the immense size of the East Bay Regional Parks District, which comprises 65 parks and more than 1,200 miles of trails for hiking, biking, swimming, horseback riding and nature learning. It represents a huge number of outdoor activities and places to enjoy nature throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
In addition to the usual BBQ’s, fishing, hiking and biking, there are many organized activities offered by the park district. Kayak lessons, outdoor movie nights, train rides, animal feeding, archery classes, and many guided hikes. People are registering now for a fun and adventurous guided hike happening August 27 through September 1.
East Bay Hills Thru-Hike & Ride is a 5-day hike that includes entertainment by an equestrian drill team and a trip to the Chabot Space and Science Center to look through their big telescopes. Fee is $60 per day or $275 for 5 days. The fee includes camping, food, and entertainment for 5 days. Participants under the age of 18 who come with a family member can register for $35 per day. For this special program, the parks district is partnering with the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Details are below and registration is at www.ridgetrail.org. Information on all other parks programs is at www.ebparks.org.
Day 1 – Wednesday
The hike will be starting at the Carquinez Shoreline, hiking to the John Muir House. From there we will take the new Feeder Trail #1 up to Sky Ranch, and then to Pinole Watershed via a trail section not ordinarily open to the public. A shuttle bus takes us back to our camp in Tilden. Total distance approximately 9 miles.
Day 2 – Thursday
Hike from Tilden Park to our second camp at Sequoia Arena in Joaquin Miller Park in the Oakland Hills, passing through EBMUD watershed above the Caldecott Tunnel, Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve, and Redwood Park along the way, for about 12 miles total distance.
Day 3 – Friday
Choose between short and longer hikes near Redwood Park, including our annual Sausal Creek Hike to Dimond Park for root beer floats. We will again camp at Joaquin Miller Park. Up to 9 miles.
Evening entertainment - performance by Equestrian Drill Team followed by a trip to the Chabot Space and Science Center to look through their big telescopes.
Day 4 – Saturday
Hike through Redwood Regional Park on the French Trail, among others, to Anthony Chabot Regional Park, for a quick loop on trails improved by Volunteers for Outdoor California, ending at Bort Meadow, for a total distance of about 11 miles.
Day 5 – Sunday
The final day of the hike, we head south from Bort Meadow, through Anthony Chabot to Lake Chabot, where we finish our hike at the Lake Chabot Marina, for a total distance of about 10 miles.