Fairly low traffic. Last night the Coast Range Riders MTB club aided Contra Costa Sheriff's Department's Search and Rescue (SAR) teams, in the search for an 81-year-old man who has been missing since Saturday at Briones Regional Park. Lots of time spent navigating. This is a nice spot to pause for a few minutes. Started around 9AM and it was 90 degrees F almost the whole time. If you do it the other way it'll take you down to Bear Creek Staging area. Good trail muddy after the rain in parts. Briones is accessible from Highway 24 and has five different staging areas . While Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and Martinez are close to the park, there are peaks within it from which you can . Take a right on Bear Creek Road and go five miles to the Bear Creek Staging Area. Turn right on Bear Creek Road and travel 5 miles to the staging area on the right. Old Briones Road - Black Oak Trail - Mott Peak Trail. . Lazuli Buntings are usually present, often the first viewings of the year for most of us. Global Ranking. Please follow all signage and use caution. Mud on Old Briones Road Trail. 3541 Deer Hill Road, Lafayette, CA 94549 5/18 Alhambra Staging Area 2537 Reliez Valley Road, Martinez, CA Bear Creek Staging Area 1611 Bear Creek Road, Lafayette, CA To Reach Briones Regional Park: From Highway 24, take the Orinda exit on the east side of the Caldecott Tunnel to Orinda/Orinda Village. mglira04 2 years ago . Start from the Bear Creek Staging Area and either hike or bike ride the 2.5 mile Abrigo Valley Trail. We gave it space and it moved off on its own. Orinda, California 94563, United States. Copyright 2023 Sexton Group Real Estate | Property Management | Broker DRE #01315959, Sexton Group Real Estate Property Management | 1647 Hopkins St., Berkeley, CA 94707 |. What to bring: When you depart this clearing you will cross a little seasonal stream and reach the Seaborg Trail. Dogs: Allowed One will be from 6 to 8 p.m. May 4 at Briones Regional Park. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I've ridden this place for almost 20 yrs.and am very discreet about when to poachas there is some sweet off limits trails. Barricades and cones have been posted on both ends of the fire trail to warn park users. Hikers gravitating to Tilden Park to the west and Mount Diablo to the east often overlook Briones, so you'll have plenty of time alone on the the trails. But beautiful nonetheless. Briones is a hidden wilderness surrounded by the towns of central Contra Costa County, with its rolling, grassy hills and secluded, shady canyons. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Information on Group Camping can be found on our Group Camping page. Bear Creek Trail winds through a bay forest. 3 newts. Briones regional Park is one of my favorite regional parks in the Bay area. Some grades certainly steeper than expected and a bit monotonal in scenery (not in a bad way though!). I do hikes. You'll find a vast array of wildflowers in Briones Regional Park, including the Himalayan blackberry, California Saxifrage, brass buttons, yellow Johnny-tuck, red-stem filaree, baby . 2950 Peralta Oaks Court,Oakland, CA 946051-888-EBPARKS,1-888-327-2757(Deaf or Hearing Impaired, use the TRS at 711). Alhambra Creek single track is bootlegged and not maintained by the park..is a blast, but be aware of others as you;ll carry speed into blind turns. For map users, the intersection of Bear Creek Rd and Happy Valley Rd is close to the staging area. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Parking Fee: $3 when kiosk . Detailed maps will be available and the route will be marked with flour arrows along the way. Location Briones Regional Park--Bear Creek Staging Area. Stay on the Oursan Trail for the next 7 miles as you cross private and public lands with cattle gates that take you to walk within feet of the magnificent reservoir from high on the hills above. . Turn right on Bear Creek Road, and drive 5 miles until you see the Bear Creek Staging Area on the right. Facilities at the trailhead only. But very muddy and slow going in many spots. Lovely views. All other park entrances are open. The first 1 mile of this trail is very pleasant, meandering through the woods. To get to the Bear Creek Staging Area, (one of the larger parking areas) take the . Be safe. You may see black-tailed deer, coyotes, squirrels, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, and if you are lucky, other more reclusive creatures. (510) 544-3121Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4508. . Muddy in spots. Briones Regional Park offers a number of first-come, first-served picnic sites with tables and barbecue stands at the Bear Creek Staging Area and the Alhambra Creek Staging Area. Join us at 8:30 am for a trek through the southern end of Briones Regional; a hiker's choice of a Challenging 7.4 mile/1800' single loop or a Difficult 9.8 mile/2400' double loop. Watch for mountain bikers on wide trails. That was true on this trail as well, which caused me to take numerous detours in search of nice Narrow trails. Route will be marked with flour arrows. Area, park in the far lot. For map users, the intersection of Bear Creek Rd and Happy Valley Rd is close to the staging area. Trailhead: After youve parked then backtrack to the picnic area until you see the Bear Creek Trail sign (see picture). Doesn't fling off the tire, builds and builds until your tires lock due to mud jammed in between the frame and tire. Briones is accessible from Highway 24, and has five different staging areas spanning from Lafayette to Martinez. Some steep parts but theyre not very long. NOTE: Trail use permit required. easily marked trail with some strenuous but brief uphill sections and a final slippery decent. Then follow above info to reach the staging area. . A sloppy mess, some dry but 15 min slower. Watch for springtime wildflowers, with beautiful valleys and meadows throughout the hike. Guide and Service dogs are free. Excellent moderate hike in Briones Regional Park. When rain hitsit goes from cake mix to all out clay sludge and will become impassable in Winter. Great views. Exotic species flags differentiate locally introduced species from native species. About a half mile later you will reach the Crescent Ridge Trail. Continue on Bear Creek trail to the dirt parking lot and then follow the road up to Briones Park and Bear Creek Staging Area. A lot of cows. Trail was good, dry not muddy. BRIONES REGIONAL PARK. Beautiful and green after our recent rains! Stop by for a visit anytime. From Briones Peak, the highest point in the park, there are panoramic views of Mount Diablo and the Diablo Valley to the east, the Sacramento River and Delta to the north, the East Bay hills and Mt. This trail is a bit more forested and offers more shade. Bear Creek Trail was very different than the map as recorded on my gps, and the seasonal creek crossing is easily passable right now but a little more of an event than a simple staircase. From there, jump on Bear Creek Trail and follow it along the water's edge heading west. Join us at 8:30 am for a trek through the southern end of Briones Regional; a hiker's choice of a Challenging 7.4 mile/1800' single loop or a Difficult 9.8 mile/2400' double loop.This hike is from Bear Creek Staging Area for EBRPD, not the Bear Creek for EBMUD!! Lafayette Ridge Staging Area is closed due to significant landslides. At the first intersection, stay left . Fees: Parking - $3 . No Good, harder than I thought, but I loved the extra work. A little mud in the lower sections, but mostly great conditions. 9+ low pro straight leg jeans most accurate, 9+ put me in my place lyrics most accurate, 9+ how strong are orangutans most accurate, 10+ db drive 8 inch subwoofer most accurate, 10+ califia farms unsweetened almondmilk coffee creamer with coconut cream most accurate, 9+ north face supreme red jacket most accurate. Take a left and descend back down into the valley. The path provides a range of events, and is open throughout the year. Hello Fellow Hikers! A few trees still down, and the trail is closed near Briones peak due to trail damage (the hill is washing out a bit, have to scramble up a ~3 foot wash). 16 Bear Creek Road, Lafayette, California 94549, United States. There are gorgeous wildflower displays in season. Green Vibes. From Oakland/Orinda: Follow CA-24 E to Oak Hill Rd in Lafayette. Christian Lenci. The trail winds along the side of the hill, above the creek, heading east. You'll endure a fair amount of slogging along the way, but the panoramic views in every direction should ease your suffering. Maps at trail head. Alhambra Creek single track is bootlegged and not maintained by the park..is a blast, but be . Summer is dry HOT and dusty. MTB Podcast | This part of the 3.5-mile lollipop trail is well made and well graded. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Briones Regional Park is one such place: over 6,000 acres teeming with large, small, winged, scaled and furry wildlife. The Oursan Trail dips back down toward the water and parallels the shore all the way to the Bear Creek Staging Area. The staging area is on the right slightly past the Happy Valley Rd intersection. Time: About 2 hours. Turn right on Bear Creek Rd/Wildcat Canyon Rd and travel about 4.5 miles. The staging area is on the right slightly past the Happy Valley Rd intersection. City: Orinda Region: EastBay Park: Briones Regional Park. Briones Regional Park is over 6,116 acres and consists of open grasslands interspersed with deep oak forests, and is typical of the region. This is a great spot to hang out and have a snack or lunch, especially with kids or maybe a picnic dinner in the summer. One of many hikes available from the Bear Creek Staging Area ($3 parking fee when gate is attended). The reservoir is in the Briones Hills, on the west side of Briones Regional Park and northeast of Orinda.It is impounded by Briones Dam, an earthen dam completed in 1964. Took a wrong turn and added about a mile but was well worth it!! Stay on Briones Crest Trail and climb till it passes Briones Peak. Park District naturalists often lead walks to view the park's natural and historic features. For spectacular views and a solid workout, take the eight-mile Briones Crest Trail. Martinez, CABear Creek Staging Area: 1611 Bear Creek Road, Lafayette, CAReliez Valley Staging Area: 1956 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette,, CA. Great hike with just the right amount of elevation. Briones Regional Park--Bear Creek Staging Area. Make sure you protect yourself from the sun. Good breeze. Parking: $3 per vehicle (when kiosk is attended); $3 per trailered vehicle. But the Bear Creek Trail offers one of the few single track trails that winds through a more woodsy and shaded part of the park. Take a right and then another right into the Bear Creek Staging Area. Cross the dam on the Oursan Trail, and continue a mellow climb up the hills above the reservoir. Cattle were on the road. IMBA Epics | Must have seen over 50. Really enjoy the briones trail, nice pick to enjoy with friends. (credit: ebparks.org) Briones Regional Park. Continue for 1.6 miles before turning left onto Brookwood Drive and proceeding less than a mile to the staging area. Can be muddy in places near the start/end of the trail (depending on the direction you take). Better wait until drier weather. To (username or email . From Richmond take San Pablo Dam Rd to Bear Creek Road/Wildcat Canyon Rd and turn left. Briones Overlook via Bear Creek Trail is a highly trafficked 11.4 kilometer trail near Orinda, California, which has a lake and is good for all levels of ability. Entering into the park, follow Seaborg Trail and then connect with Lafayette Ridge Trail through the undulating hills and down to Lafayette Ridge Staging Area. Nice trail for winter. The last mile or so was still a little muddy but passable. lovely hike on a wet day, very few ppl yet spectacular views of snow clad Mt Diablo and SF Bay. The park is named for Felipe Briones, who built his home in 1829 near what is today the Bear Creek Staging Area, raising cattle and farming. Updated April 30, 2023. 4 reviews of Bear Creek Staging Area "Total Distance 6.4 Miles - Moderate with Elevation Gain of 725 Feet This loop meanders beneach dool shade along Bear Creek before climbing to the Briones Crest Trail as it runs northest towards the open meadow and spectacular views of Table Top. People. Wildflowers! At the Bear Creek Staging Area, the park also has two larger, reservable community picnic areas: Oak Grove, which can host 50 people, and Newt Hollow, which holds 150. Meet at the Bear Creek Staging Area on Bear Creek Road about 5 miles east of San Pablo Dam Road near Orinda. The park also has two larger, reservable group picnic areas at the Bear Creek Staging Area: Oak Grove, which can accommodate 50 people, and Newt Hollow, which holds 150. Maps: USGS Briones Valley, USGS Walnut Creek, Briones Regional Park trail map Note: Highly recommended that you download the park map; there are many trail junctions and twists and turns of the paths here; there are usually maps at the trailhead Briones Regional Park/Alhambra Creek Staging Area GPS coordinates: N 37 57.389 W 12 7.398 Length: 2 miles or 5 miles (longer version) Great time of year to saunter these grounds !! What a beautiful day! I had to give up halfway through the hike and go back to the car. Mostly a wide trail so good for conversation with hiking friends. Hills are beautiful! We're a group dedicated to hiking and exploring trails in the East Bay and beyond. This park has several entry points from the surrounding towns. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Good condition. Briones Regional Park--Bear Creek Staging Area, Pacific-slope/Cordilleran Flycatcher (Western Flycatcher), Sensitive Species (date, location, and observer information is restricted). There are gorgeous wildflower displays in season. From the parking area of the Overlook Staging Area, hop for a brief spell on the Bear Creek Trail before reaching Oursan Trail. After passing the archery range, you will reach a three-way junction with Seaborg Trail. In the spring enjoy a complete loop around the reservoir to capture the wildflower blooms. If you want to do this as a shuttle ride, leave a car on Bear Creek Road at the EBMUD Briones Overlook staging point, 1.4 miles northeast of Camino Pablo. Did see a snake on the trail. Northeast of Briones Regional Park off of Bear Creek Road, the Hampton Trail access to the EBMUD is often less crowded than the pawpular Bear Creek Staging Area. The Briones began cattle ranching in the . Absolutely wonderful spot for getting in contact with nature and be completely in peace. The path provides a range of events, and is open throughout the year. The intersection of Briones Crest Trail/ Mott Peak Trail and Briones Crest Trail/ Lagoon Trail is currently damaged but passable with care. No flowers blooming yet. Trail still has some really muddy spots. 2537 Reliez Valley Road. Too muddy virtually all the way after recent rains. Family Friendly While most kids won't be up for the full 9.5 mile loop, you can park at the Bear Creek Staging Area to shorten the loop to a kid-friendly distance. There are gorgeous wildflower displays in season. Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2023 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | Highlights: When most people think of Briones Regional Park they think of rolling hills with a huge network of fire roads to hike or bike on. The pilot project is limited to the Pilot Project Zone located in the northeast corner of Briones Regional Park, which is accessible from the Reliez Valley Staging Area, Alhambra Creek Staging Area, and Briones Road Staging Area. Great view, lots of greens. But again, that is a quibble, and this is a Trail well worth walking.. The trail follows a fairly wide valley cut by Abrigo Creek, and it was much more forested than I imagined that it would be. For map users, the intersection of Bear Creek Rd and Happy Valley Rd is close to the staging area. PLEASE NOTE: Dogs arerequiredto be on leash (six-foot maximum) at all times in the following areas: Tavan Trail (all), Diablo View Trail between Alhambra Creek Trail and Hidden Pond Trail, Alhambra Creek Trail from the Alhambra Creek Staging Area south to the water trough, and Orchard Trail between Alhambra Creek Trail and west to the Briones Road gate. Didnt deviate. With its rolling, grassy hills and secluded, shady canyons, Briones is a secret wilderness surrounded by the towns of central Contra Costa County. Couple steep uphills but pretty mellow overall. My dog Kirr Mahal and I enjoyed this trail! This amazing kid-friendly park is just one of the many must-see parks you dont want to miss in Orinda, California: All of these wonderful sites are located just a short distance from our location at 3369 Mount Diablo Blvd in Lafayette! Bear Creeks banks are also lined with coast live oak, willow, madrone, and big leaf maple. Good trails as no recent rains. Hike continues right on Briones Crest Trail. Not many people, some runners and hikers, some groups of MTBs. beautiful chill day. Briones Regional Park. Go to the left when the trail splits for the first time it will be easier. (925) 627-4200. Cattle grazing has been the major land use in the Bear Creek watershed ever since. When applicable, eBird generally defers to bird records committees for records formally considered to be of "uncertain provenance". A couple steep hills , but pleasant on the return. With over 6,000 acres of rolling hills teeming with trails, Briones Regional Park has a classic route to see almost all of what the park has to offer. Leader: Steve SmithEmail: [emailprotected] . great trail, mostly sunny but lots of shade on last chunk. Then follow above info to reach the staging area. Free topomap Briones Regional Park, Fernandez Ranch and Surroundings. We will meet at the lower parking lot of the Bear Creek Staging Area up to the right after the entrance kiosk. Finished at 4.4 miles. Sa magulong, madamong burol at liblib, malilim na canyon, ang Briones ay isang lihim na kagubatan na napapalibutan ng mga bayan ng gitnang Contra Costa County. From Walnut Creek/Danville: Take 24 west to exit 13 toward Central Lafayette/Moraga. Briones Regional Park provides a range of first-come, first-served picnic sites with tables and barbecues in the Bear Creek Staging Area and the Alhambra Creek Staging Area. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 6 min to complete. Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve Labyrinth, All of these wonderful points of interest are located just a short distance from our location, conveniently located just down the freeway at. . The name came from a 1000-pound bear shot by Ramon Briones, near Bear Creek Falls, in 1897 (see photo). link Copy Link. Land Manager: . View Map. I wouldnt say they are easily passable, so youre going to get muddy in the process. I've linked up several trails in Briones and found the riding there to be challenging and steep. You may see black-tailed deer, coyotes, squirrels, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, and, if you are lucky, other more reclusive creatures. If you are going to do this as a shuttle trip, leave a car at the EBMUD Briones Overlook . 4508. Old Briones Road Trail to Toyon Canyon Trail, Contra Costa County, CA, USA . From Richmond take San Pablo Dam Rd to Bear Creek Road/Wildcat Canyon Rd and turn left. Download the high-resolution version in Hikepack for free and use it completely offline. Join us for a 9:30 am hike at Briones Regional Park. Crusty and moist in some steep spots. Briones Regional Park--Bear Creek Staging Area. A visit to the west entrance of Briones Regional Park in the spring offers views of spring wildflowers and spring birds. Turn left on Deer Hill road, first left (Orchard Road is on the right) into the parking area and meet there. 4 reviews of Bear Creek Staging Area "Total Distance 6.4 Miles - Moderate with Elevation Gain of 725 Feet This loop meanders beneach dool shade along Bear Creek before climbing to the Briones Crest Trail as it runs northest towards the open meadow and spectacular views of Table Top. And the frogs are already loud and it's early February. Trail map of Briones found here. Diablo. Hiked Feb 5. Your email address will not be published. Ni dung chnh. Grass lands between forested areas. Bring plenty of agua. The Briones Crest Trail is the spine of the park and offers great views of Mt. After a little ways you will start climbing into the hills and will reach the Briones Crest Trail. Please follow all signage and use caution. Turn left at the top on Russell Peak Tr. Phone . Not crowded. The park is also accessible via public transportation. Shade. Fees, etc. Single Track Trails you can ride legally. East Bay park offers ample solitude, abundant sunshine. Briones Regional Park is a huge, uncrowded park with 6,256 acres of parkland for recreation. Lots of slipping and sliding today. This is a one of several staging areas in the park and a great starting point for several trails whipping through the. Hard rating is correct. EBMUD Permit: Not required. Steep climbs and fortunately steep downhill. It gets quite steep in the first quarter-mile, so watch your footing on the way up. Think single track is off limits, ive been here a few times with freinds leading, and pretty much did the same singletrack (hiker trail) and it was sweet. Trail Directions: From the Bear Creek Staging . J_T. The Alhambra and Bear Creek Staging Areas are open year-round, however hours vary seasonally. From the creek you will ascend into a forest of mostly California Bay Laurel trees a cousin of the Mediterranean Bay tree whose leaves are used in cooking. nice veiws when you get up top and beautiful in springtime* Review edited 3/15/2008. Weeknights late and very early AM weekdays and weekends will give the window to play in the no bikes allowed spaces. So pretty in spring. Hike begins on Old Briones Road, left on Black Oak . 13: 8am-6pm, Mar. 11-Sep. 5: 8am-8pm, Sep. 6-Nov. 6: 8am-7pm, Nov. 7-Dec. 31: 8am-5pmParking Lot Hours: 8am to sunset. We will cross over the creek, then right on Lower Buckeye Ranch which makes a hairpin turn to the right, then a sharp left to stay on Buckeye Ranch at which point we will ascend a very steep portion. left on Briones Road trail, left on Briones Crest top top 1483 feet, drop down to Valley Trail to left on Old Briones Road Trail to Newt Hollow turn around. Do not waste your time. Head out of Bear Creek Staging Area, up and around the park on Briones Crest Trail (all the while enjoying . Also, verdant and empty on a Saturday afternoon. To reach the Bear Creek Staging . Day-trippers will be charged a flat fee of $3 per day per vehicle and/or trailer. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. For information or to make a reservation, call 1-888-EBPARKS or1-888-327-2757, press option 2. The springtime wildflowers can be spectacular here. Experience the beauty of Briones Regional Park at dusk during a short hike from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, led by naturalist James Wilson. facebookFacebook; Trails can get very muddy in winter. Bay Area Ridge Trail; Bear Creek Trail; Black Oak Trail; Black Phoebe Trail; Blue Oak Shortcut; . Lots of flies near the cows. Diablo, etc. If you're up for a bit more distance, a much nicer option is to turn left at Homestead Valley and hit the Bear Creek Trail, which meanders through a deeply wooded area, crosses Bear Creek and ends up in the park's picnic area (the parking lot will be on your right). Park in the staging area pay your money, Briones- Alhambra Creek Single Track-GoPro Helmet. Home; Submit . And cows with calves. Probably a rookie move on my part, but definitely a learning experience. Massive climbs so bring your lungs, there's something for everyone here. Briones Regional Park is a 6,117-acre (24.75 km2) regional park situated in the Briones Hills of central Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, in the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) system. (A side trip to the nearby lagoons offers an excellent excuse to break for lunch). The area which today includes Briones Park and Russell Reservation was part of the 1842 Mexican land grant of Rancho Boca de la Canada del Pinole to the widow of Felipe Briones. GPS. and ascend another hill to the top where all hikers will turn left on an unsigned single track up a small hill to a picnic table to take their rest break and enjoy the views.

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