Thursday, March 24, 2016

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This flat walk takes you on Empire Mine Rd out to the gorgeous expansive meadows around Lone Tree and Horse Valleys east of Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch. Empire Mine Rd is closed to vehicle traffic-it is open for pedestrian and bicycle use only. It runs 3.5 gorgeous miles through Lone Tree Valley and Horse Valley towards Brentwood. Begin this hike from the north end of Empire Mine Rd off Mesa Ridge Dr.

Empire Mine Rd gently climbs up behind the Lone Tree residential neighborhood at the south end of town with views of the valley and Mt Diablo.

The road continues winding up around the rolling hills.

Empire Mine Rd drops down through the flat pastoral valley.

The road gently climbs out from the valley towards the abandoned slaughterhouse in West Hartley.

Wildflowers:

Views of Horse Valley:

Slaughterhouse:

Empire Mine Rd continues on flat terrain across the beautiful expansive Horse Valley before coming to its end at Deer Valley Rd.

Wildflowers:

Reverse your way back along the valley towards the slaughterhouse.

Road graffiti:

Slaughterhouse graffiti:

Return through Lone Tree Valley.

Wind back through the valley to Mesa Ridge Dr.

This easy scenic flat walk takes you out through the beautiful expansive valleys around East Contra Costa County, you’ll enjoy the quiet calm and traffic free paved road. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for this sun drenched leisurely walk, there’s not much shade out there!

Stats:
7 Miles with 328′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 380′
Time: 3 hours
Hike: Easy
Parking: Free street parking on Mesa Ridge Rd in Antioch.
No facilities & no water. Bring water & food/snacks
Dog friendly > Road is closed to Motor Vehicles/No thru traffic. Pedestrians and Bicycles use only.

Weather: Sunny & warm with temps ranging from the low 60’s to the mid 70’s-SW winds

View the interactive RGPS route map & profile