Tuesday, March 28, 2017

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At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, visitors can explore miles of beautiful hiking, riding, and bicycling trails through grasslands, chaparral, and shady eucalyptus groves, or along the shores of Lake Chabot. The East Bay Skyline National Trail, which traverses 31 miles of East Bay hills from Richmond to Castro Valley, runs the length of the park. *1

Begin this hike from the Clyde Woolridge Staging Area parking lot at the intersection of Skyline Blvd & Grass Valley Rd.

Head east on the Goldenrod Trail, it travels across the grassland along the southwest edge of the park to the next trail junction.

Turn left onto Columbine Trail, it cuts through the chapparal and woodland towards the creek.

The trail comes to a T-junction, turn right to stay on Columbine Trail. It heads south under the beautiful riparian woodland along Grass Valley Creek towards South Columbine Trail. The trail is prone to seasonal flooding and has become part of the creek. Proceed with caution or turn around.*Until further notice, Columbine Trail is closed due to landslide and trees on the trail.

Cross the creek and continue on South Columbine Trail, it gradually climbs up through the woodland above the NW tip of Chabot Lake to Hawk Ridge Group Camp junction.

Stay on Columbine Trail as it continues to the next junction at Lookout Ridge Group Camp.

Go straight to stay on Columbine Trail, it continues to wind under the shade of the gorgeous woodland with the occasional glimpse of the lake.

The trail leads out towards the towering eucalyptus grove to Quail Trail junction.

Stay on Columbine, it cuts back through the woodlands and leads out to the scenic bench overlook area.

Enjoy the views!

Columbine Trail comes to an end at Honker Bay Trail.

Turn right onto Honker Bay Trail, the broad fire trail winds down towards the shoreline at Lake Chabot.

Enjoy the lakeside views!

Honker Bay Trail travels around the north edge of the lake to Huck’s Trail junction.

Stay on Honker Bay Trail, it continues along the shore of the lake to Live Oak Trail junction.

Turn right and follow the Lake Chabot Bicycle Loop across the narrow bridge crossing over Honker Bay.

Turn around and return to Honker Bay/Live Oak Trail junction. Go straight onto Live Oak Trail, it climbs out from the lake area up towards Lost Ridge to Towhee Trail junction off Marciel Rd.

Enjoy the parkland views!

Turn right onto Towhee Trail, it continues with an uphill climb to the ridgetop at Brandon Trail junction.

Enjoy the panoramic views!

Turn left onto Brandon Trail, it leads out to the day-use parking lot off Marciel Rd.

Turn right onto Redtail Trail, the single track travels north along the ridge beside Marciel Rd.

Redtail continues through dense brush and woodland before cutting across the roadway to the parking lot at Marciel Gate.

Head north across the parking lot to stay on Redtail Trail.

Go left onto Cottontail Trail, it takes you across the upper grassland area before dropping down under the eucalyptus stands to Brandon Trail junction.

Turn right onto Brandon Trail, it continues downhill to the stone bridge crossing over Grass Valley Creek.

At the T-junction, turn left onto Jackson Grade, it climbs out from the creek for the return to the staging area parking lot on Goldenrod Trail.

This hike takes you through the beautiful woodlands along the scenic Grass Valley Creek out to the shores of Lake Chabot. *Portions of the West Shore Trail, Bass Cove Trail and the area around Chabot Dam at Lake Chabot Regional Park are closed seven days a week until late summer 2017 while the East Bay Municipal Utility District completes seismic retrofit work on the 142-year-old dam. During this closure, the Lake Chabot Bicycle Loop and hiking loop will be closed across the dam. For more information, please go to http://www.ebmud.com/about-us/construction-my-neighborhood/chabot-dam-upgrade/.  

*1 http://www.ebparks.org/parks/anthony_chabot#about

Stats:
10.05 miles with 1692′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 999′
Time 5 hrs with multiple stops
Hike: Moderate
Parking: No fee at Clyde Woolridge Staging Area at the intersection of Skyline Blvd & Grass Valley Rd in Oakland
No facilities-plan accordingly
Dog friendly

Weather: Sunny, warm and breezy. Temps ranged from the mid 50’s to the low 70’s with NW winds.

Print Trail Map *Check updates for trail closures