Trail Shoes Richmond CA

Activities: Road Cycling

Info:
State: California
Location: Mount Diablo
Length: Round Trip: 70.9 miles
Ride Type: Loop
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: 4

Description: The Mount Diablo and Vasco Road Loop ride leads riders on a extensive tour of the far East Bay. This ride starts right off with a climb of Mt. Diablo via South Gate to the junction with North Gate Road. After this challenging climb, there is a fun descent into Walnut Creek. The section of the ride between Walnut Creek and Clayton is the busiest section of the ride but it is fairly short. Traffic gets lighter once you reach Marsh Creek Road. After the initial climb on March Creek it is mostly downhill and you will frequently have a nice tailwind. Once you reach Vasco Road, you will see plenty of windmills but where there are windmills expect either punishing headwinds or glorious tailwinds. In this case, you should be prepared for strong headwinds on Vasco Road, before you pass through Livermore and finally back to Blackhawk. You should bring large water bottles or a hydration system, if you’re riding in the summer heat. This is a good ride to do with a few friends so you can share the work slogging into those headwinds on Vasco.

Activities: Road Cycling

Info:
State: California
Location: Livermore
Length: Round Trip: 32.9 miles
Ride Type: Loop
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: 3

Description: Although this loop on Altamont Pass and Patterson Pass is the shortest and easiest of all the rides over the Altamont Pass, this doesn’t mean that it is an easy ride. This ride still deals out plenty of climbing. And you should plan on the ever present afternoon headwinds slowing your return to Livermore. Expect 20-30 MPH headwinds as you head back to Livermore. That’s the price you have to pay for the wonderful tailwind which can push you into Tracy at 30+ MPH. Bring large water bottles or a hydration system if you’re riding in the summer heat. All of the rides in this area are great to do with a few friends so you can share the work slogging into that headwind.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Mount Diablo State Park
Length: Round Trip: 9.9 miles
Trail type: Loop
Elevation Change: 3000 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: More Difficult
Usage: Heavy

Description: Mount Olympia is one of the park’s prime destinations, a rugged outcrop with fantastic views of dizzying canyons, particularly with the mists of winter. The Middle Trail to Mount Olympia is a nature lover’s delight and the climb toward Prospectors Gap and descent from North Peak is challenging. Follow Donner Canyon Road to Middle Trail, which takes you to Prospectors Gap Road. Turn left and climb steeply to Prospectors Gap, here follow the North Peak Road and Trail to Mt. Olympia. Complete the loop alone Olympia Road and Trail (avoid private property) and return to the previously traversed Donner Canyon Road along the Cardinet Oaks Road, finally retracing your steps to the trailhead.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks
Length: One-Way: 9.9 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 6200 feet
Elevation Change: 1950 feet
Best Season: June to October
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate

Description: This hike leads you past billowing falls at the East Fork bridge and through the East Fork Grove of giant sequoias to beautiful Hockett Meadows at the northern end of the Hockett Plateau. The Atwell-Hockett Trail heads south from Mineral King Road to Hockett Meadows Ranger Station. It heads through the East Fork Kaweah River drainage following an easy path. The trail gains only 1,900 feet in elevation and is popular with groups using horses. The Atwell-Hockett Trail begins on Mineral King Road at the Atwell Campground. From this trailhead, at 6,650 feet, the trail heads south, descending into the East Fork Kaweah River valley. The path crosses the river then begins ascending out of the valley. After about 1.5 miles, the Atwell-Hockett Trail crosses Deer Creek (el. 6,200 feet). The trail continues to slowly ascend and eventually joins Tar Gap Trail, a short distance after crossing Clover Creek. This is the first campsite along the trail, six miles from the trailhead. The trails combine and lead into Hockett Meadows. Within a mile of joining Tar Gap Trail, Atwell-Hockett crosses Horse Creek. The trail then becomes very flat. There are several trails that lead south from Hockett Meadow and can be used to form a loop through the area with Tar Gap Trail.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Angeles National Forest
Length: Round Trip: 7.3 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 2600 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Moderate

Description: The first part of the canyon is a rocky wash with no water evident, but soon you will come to a clear, cold stream. There is a fine forest all the way of oak, Big Cone Spruce, pine, fir and cedar. Part way up the canyon, the trail splits. The newer portion, called the Chapman Trail, is to the left and has an easier grade, although it is a bit longer. To the right is the old trail which follows the canyon bottom more closely. A Wilderness Permit is required to enter the Cucamonga Wilderness beyond Telegraph wash (approximately 1-1/2 miles beyond this point). About 3 miles up, you will pass Columbine Spring, a small cold stream coming out of the rocky hillside. Three and 5/8 miles up the trail is Icehouse Saddle, a forested park-like area with good views both east and west. The Saddle makes a good destination for those who want an eight mile round trip. If a longer trip is desired, there are three ways to go from the Saddle. Sharp right (southwest) leads to Kelly’s Camp and Ontario Peak. Kelly’s Camp used to be a resort, but now is a trail camp. A less sharp right turn from the Saddle (southeast) leads to Cucamonga Peak and various trails and trail camps of the San Bernardino National Forest, with the trail exiting in the Middle Fork of Lytle Creek. The trail left from the Saddle leads to three peaks: Timber Mountain, Telegraph Peak and Thunder Mountain. You can continue on from Thunder Mountain down a fire road to Baldy Notch or ride the ski lift down to the highway on weekends, or hike 3-1/2 miles on down the fire road. For this option, you would need another car at the bottom of the ski lift to take you back to Icehouse Resort.