Sunol Regional Wilderness

There is not really much riding at this small 6500 acre park. The main trail is a fast and often crowded fire road with gentle hills and descents. The little yosemite area is a nice stop about halfway down this road. Spend some time to explore the boulders and waterfalls. Take the Cerro Este trail from Little Yosemite up the hill for a good ~3 mile climb with a nice view that comes near two 2000+ft peaks. Make a left onto Cave Rocks Road and a right onto High Valley road to stay within the park and end up in the Welch Creek Road area. There is also a mile loop around Maguire Peaks that starts from Welch Creek Road.

Call ahead during the June through October fire season to make sure the park is open

Bedrock mortars used by Native Americans for pounding acorns that were found in the area are reminders of Sunol's first inhabitants. For the past century, however, the land known today as Sunol Regional Wilderness was used almost exclusivley as ranch land. Uder the Easy Bay Reguiional Park District's multi-use land management policy, cattle continue to graze in the 6,858-acre wilderness.

Exploration will reveal sandstone outcrops with fossils deposited in what was once ancient seabed. Great boulders of greenstone, schist and matachert indicate a turbulent past. The massive basalt outcrop at Indian Joe Cave Rocks provides sport and challenge to rock climbers.

Alameda Creek, Alameda County's largest stream, harbors an inviting creekside community of alder, willow and sycamore. Coast live oaks abound along with valley and blue oak, elderberry, madrone and gray pine. Spring brings wildflowers, including California poppies, mustard, goldfields and lupines, which carpet cast areas in yellow, orange and blue.

Little Yosemite is a sceneic gorge on Alameda Creek about twho miles upstream from the Visitor Center.

From the south bay, take Interstate 680 North past 237/Calaveras and over the sunol grade to the second Calaveras exit. Turn right on Calaveras Road and proceed to Geary Road which leads directly to the park.

From the east bay take Interstate 580 east to Intersate 680 South. Exit Calaverase Road/Highway 84 and turn left onto Calaverase Road. Turn left on Geary Road which leads directly to the park.

Bells are required. Helmets are required for people younger than 18.

http://www.ebparks.org/parks/sunol.htm