November 14: Flag Hill Trail Trekkers Hike
Date/Time: Sunday, November 14, 2021, at 9:30am
Location: Flag Hill — Sunol Regional Wilderness
Meeting Point: Parking lot immediately to the left after the entrance kiosk — 1895 Geary Road, Sunol, CA 94586
Fee: $5 parking fee
Distance / elevation: 3.9-mile loop / 994 ft
Difficulty: Moderate / Recommended for Bears and Webelos
Hike Info: Hike info / Trail map
Awards: Trail Trekkers Cub Scout Patch / Progressive Hike Award
Contact: Hiking Chair Kushal Kaleshwari (925-639-5493) / Nagabhushan Channabasappa
RSVP: evite
What to wear
- Class B and dress in layers
- Approved face covering
- Sturdy closed toe shoes
- Sunscreen
What to bring
- binoculars, camera
- Lunch
- Plenty of water and snacks
- map
Directions
Drive south on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84 just south of Pleasanton. Turn left onto Calaveras Road and proceed to Geary Road, which leads directly into the park.
Important
- Use extreme caution on the rocks at the Flag Hill summit
- Watch for poison oak on narrow sections of trail
- There will be cattle at Sunol -- give them plenty of distance
The hike
A moderately strenuous hike will take you to the top of Flag Hill, which is composed of layers of fossil-rich sandstone formed some 13 million years ago. You'll enjoy great views and good opportunities to watch birds and other wildlife.
The trail
Begin this hike by crossing Alameda Creek on the footbridge near park headquarters. Turn left (downstream). After a short distance, Flag Hill Trial will take off uphill, to the right. The trail zigzags up the face of the hill (make sure your hikers understand why it's important not to shortcut switchbacks). After about a mile of rather steep uphill hiking, you'll reach the top where you'll probably want to take a good snack or lunch break.
While on top, watch for red-tailed hawks (the red upper surface of the tail is visible when the hawk turns), turkey vultures (which hold their wings in a slight "V" and teeter in flight), and maybe even a golden eagle or falcon.
Continue your hike by going down the back side of Flag Hill, turning right when you reach High Valley Road. Return to the cars by way of Hayfield Road.
The history
Sunol Regional Park area was inhabited by the Ohlone Indians for about 4000 years. In 1797, when the mission was built at Mission San Jose, most of the Indians moved to the mission. The Indian camp was located on the same site as the Green Barn and park office are now located.
On the Fourth of July in 1903, a group of children climbed a hill located north of the present park headquarters, and planted a flag. The hill thereafter was known as Flag Hill.
For all in-person pack or den events and activities, please adhere to the pack's COVID statement. If you or your Scout are sick, are experiencing COVID-like or flu symptoms, or may have been exposed to COVID-19, please stay home.
