Monday, April 10, 2017

Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park

Near: Hayward
Trip Type: Hike
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation: 100 - 1200 ft
Last visit: March 2017




Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park is another grassy collection of East Bay hills.  There's not much unique about it, but it does provide some nice views of the south bay and a satisfying hill climb to see it.




Rules and Regulations

Dogs on leash in developed areas and parking lots.  I there would be a small parking/use fee but no one was collecting fees when we went on a Saturday, so I'm not sure what the usual deal is.

Trailhead

We started at the Garin Ave entrance, just of Mission Blvd in Hayward.




I was surprised to find the Kite Field near the entrance in use as advertised.



Route:

We followed the High Ridge Loop in a clockwise circle around the park.  Straighforward and as advertised.  It starts with a sharp climb to the main ridge, turns south as tops over the highpoint, then drops rapidly as it circles back west towards Hayward.  Looking at the map before hand, I hadn't notice the substantial back-climb as we finished the loop heading northwest on a smaller ridge forming the parks' western boundary.  If doing this loop as a trail run, I recommend going counter-clockwise.  Otherwise that sharp climb near the end is going to be a killer.


Caltopo Map: https://caltopo.com/m/0U3H




Looking back as we climb the open slop to the ridge.

The high part of the High Ridge Trail
A short shaded section on the southern end of the loop

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