November Hike – Briones Regional Park

Date: Sunday, November 11, 2012
Time: 1:30pm - 3:30pm (Meet in the parking lot straight past the entrance kiosk)
Location: Briones Regional Park
Attire: Class B
Award: Highlander patch and the Briones rocker patch
Fees: $5 Park entrance
Must read: Trail map, Printable info
Contact: Hiking Chair Sachin Sheth

Destination
Bear Creek Staging Area, Briones Regional Park, East Bay Regional Park District, Contra Costa County. This is a hike through the grassy hills north of Lafayette.

Meeting Point
Parking lot straight past the entrance kiosk

Details
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 4.3 mile partial loop hike is easy. Trailhead elevation is about 735 feet. The featured hike climbs to about 1370 feet, and then descends back to the trailhead. There is one short steep downhill section. Total elevation change is about 830 feet.

Hiking time:
2 hours

What to bring:
• Long pants
• Cap or hat
• Dress in Layers (please check weather forecast prior to the hike).
• Snack
• Water

Exposure:
Mostly exposed, with some shade.

Trail surfaces:
Dirt fire roads and trails.

Getting there:
From CA 24 in Contra Costa County, exit Moraga/Orinda (exit 9). Drive north on Camino Pablo Road for about 2 miles, then turn right onto Bear Creek Road. Drive on Bear Creek about 4.4 miles, to the park entrance on the right side of the road. After passing the entrance kiosk, continue straight to the parking lot.

Get driving or public transit directions from Transit and Trails:
http://transitandtrails.org/trailheads/209

GPS Coordinates for Trailhead:
Latitude 37°55'37.65"N
Longitude 122° 9'21.01"W

Trailhead details:
Parking fee of $5 charged when entrance kiosk is staffed. $2 dog fee. Lots of parking. Pit toilets on site, but no drinking water. Maps available at the information signboard near the start of the trail. There is no direct public transportation to this trailhead, but you can walk (or cycle) into the park from BART: visit 511.org for details. There are no designated handicapped parking spots at this parking lot, but the initial stretch of Old Briones Road is wheelchair accessible.

Trail Route:
The highlighted path will be followed for this hike. For those that arrive late, you may choose to do the loop in the opposite direction and rendezvous with the rest of the pack.