A wide variety of trees, shrubs and flowers make this an ideal nature-study hike. 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. Great views. Lazuli Buntings are usually present, often the first viewings of the year for most of us. 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. You will plunge a little less than a mile into the woods before heading out into the meadows. Briones Reservoir - Wikipedia FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Weeknights late and very early AM weekdays and weekends will give the window to play in the no bikes allowed spaces. Watch for slick mud after rains. 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. Alhambra Creek Valley Staging Area via Spengler Trail It gets quite steep in the first quarter-mile, so watch your footing on the way up. So expect to get your shoes wet and muddy esp on the first half. Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve Labyrinth. Still beautiful up there. Layers -- temperatures can vary widely Menu. All other park entrances are open. Should take more time to enjoy the view next time. Overview. Stay on Briones Crest Trail and climb till it passes Briones Peak. share Share . The hike below represents a small sampling of the trails available from Briones' five trailheads. Hiker's choice of a short 7 mile/1670' moderate+ hike or a longer 8 mile/1870' challenging hike. Long hikers continue on Russell Peak, left on Mariposa looping around right on a paved road and right to stay on Mariposa. The park also has two larger, designated community picnic areas in the Bear Creek Staging Area: Oak Grove, which can accommodate up to 50 people, and Newt Hollow, which has . With the above information sharing about bear creek staging area on official and highly reliable information sites will help you get more information. Your email address will not be published. Cell Phone: (925) 325-0805. 9 topics about : hammer strength row alternative ? After about a third of a mile, turn right at the Briones Crest Trail, one of the nicest in the park. Trail use permit required. This is a gorgeous hike off the beaten path, but it will challenge your mettle, short or long! For more information and to sign up for updates, visit the Briones Pilot Project page. Go right instead of left at the fork when you start because the other way is some insane Incline!!! Lots of cows and calves on the second portion of the loop - make sure your dog is leashed in this area, the mama cows will get protective. 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. Nice trail for winter. eBird Checklist - 27 Mar 2023 - Briones Regional Park--Bear Creek Summer is dry HOT and dusty. Only 1 newt. At the Info Panel, go through the gate and head East along Old Briones Road. The staging area is on the right slightly past the Happy Valley Rd intersection. Theres a lovely single track part at the top, There is a dead end one of the hiking trails. 13: 8am-6pm, Mar. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Route will be marked with flour arrows. Ni dung chnh. The land was originally part of Rancho Boca de la Canada del Pinole (rancho at the mouth of Pinole Canyon), popularly known as Rancho San Felipe and later Rancho Briones. Its maily fireroads but there is some slightly technical singletrack that you can take. 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. Briones in Bloom Hosted By Greenbelt Alliance. Lovely views. Old Briones Road Trail to Toyon Canyon Trail, Contra Costa County, CA, USA . Hike continues right on Briones Crest Trail. Wildflowers are coming out, and stunning views are around every corner. In the spring you might spot a California newt near the trail. Old Briones Road Trail and Black Oak Trail Loop, Briones Crest, Old Briones, Table Top, Crescent Ridge and Seaborg Loop, Abrigo Valley Trail to Mott Peak Trail Loop, Briones Crest Trail and Valley Loop Trail, Crescent Ridge Trail to Briones Crest Trail Loop. Naturalized: Exotic population is self-sustaining, breeding in the wild, persisting for many years, and not maintained through ongoing releases (including vagrants from Naturalized populations). Great hiking area nestled in the rolling hills of the Briones Regional Park. Hiked 11/16, clear and dry and calm in the upper 50s, perfect hiking weather. View with Google Maps. . I love riding there, great trails and scenery. From the picnic area, the Bear Creek trail descends down to the creek. Escapee: Exotic species known or suspected to be escaped or released, including those that have bred but don't yet fulfill the criteria for Provisional. Flowers are out in force. Note: 8:30 am Start Time!! Contra Costa County; California; United States; Additional details. Bear Creek Staging Area | Spaulding Concrete Alhambra Creek single track is bootlegged and not maintained by the park..is a blast, but be . 16 Bear Creek Road, Lafayette, California 94549, United States. Briones Regional Park Hiking Trails: Briones Peak Experience! Major Regions Year-round, All years. You'll endure a fair amount of slogging along the way, but the panoramic views in every direction should ease your suffering. PDF Briones - East Bay Regional Park District Since we'll occasionally be hiking on East Bay Mud . January 1-31: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. February 1-March 13: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Take a right on Bear Creek Road and go five miles to the Bear Creek Staging Area. Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-0381. Orinda, California 94563, United States. BRIONES REGIONAL PARK. Couple steep uphills but pretty mellow overall. Single Track Trails you can ride legally. Briones Regional Park is a huge, uncrowded park with 6,256 acres of parkland for recreation. Site-specific information is visible only to the observer and eBird reviewer(s) for the region.We encourage you not to share specific location information about this sighting via social media, public websites, or email listservs.Learn more about Sensitive Species in eBird. Take a right and then another right into the Bear Creek Staging Area. If you do it the other way it'll take you down to Bear Creek Staging area. 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 the Alhambra Creek Trail and west to the Briones Road gate, dogs are needed to be on a leash (six-foot maximum) at all times. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Briones in Bloom, Briones Regional Park, Lafayette, April 23 2023 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. We will meet in one of the lower lots, NOT the main lot, please follow the directions below! Fairly low traffic. I went clockwise, last mile is muddy and theres a big fallen tree but you can get around it. Bear Creek Loop in Briones | The Undiscovered Hikes of Lamorinda Best Bike Trails | Barricades and cones have been posted on both ends of the fire trail to warn park users. bear creek staging area ? - LEGOLAND Dogs: Allowed Alhambra to Spengler. You may see black-tailed deer, coyotes, squirrels, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, and, if you are lucky, other more reclusive creatures. Parking is located at the Bear Creek Staging Area. Today, Briones Park is an important watershed and . 10 topics about : hammer toe separators ? Download your own trail map using the link below. Parking: $3 per vehicle (when kiosk is attended); $3 per trailered vehicle. 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. Some grades certainly steeper than expected and a bit monotonal in scenery (not in a bad way though!). You'll be about 4 miles away at the Bear Creek Staging Area (which has bathrooms). Not too difficult. 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. Briones Regional Park - Reliez Valley TH, CA Hike Briones is accessible from Highway 24, and has five different staging areas spanning from Lafayette to Martinez. Briones Overlook Staging Area | Spaulding Concrete 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. Continue for 1.6 miles before turning left onto Brookwood Drive and proceeding less than a mile to the staging area. East Bay park offers ample solitude, abundant sunshine. 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. The Briones Archers archery range is accessible off the Crescent Ridge Trail from Briones' west-side Bear Creek Road entrance. Go to the left when the trail splits for the first time it will be easier. There were some pretty muddy spots, which were a little challenging but not horrible. Follow Old Briones Road past Valley back to Alhambra, Can be very steep at times, rarely not steep LOL. Directions: From Lafayette take Happy Valley Road up over the hill to Bear Creek Road. So watch out! Very difficult hiking with two cow-prone dogs. great after coffee. Muddy when close to the end of the route. Good trails as no recent rains. . Lafayette Ridge Staging Area is closed due to significant landslides. West Briones Regional Park . Briones Regional Park | East Bay Parks One of many hikes available from the Bear Creek Staging Area ($3 parking fee when gate is attended). Must have seen over 50. Hiked 3/4, just after a rain. Cold. Take the clockwise route, start with a steep climb then enjoy the view along the ridge. Cattle were on the road. Briones Regional Park | Mga Parke sa East Bay Winter is bound to be muddy, but the views are amazing after rains wash smog from the skies. Briones Regional Park | East Bay Parks There are gorgeous wildflower displays in season. This part of the 3.5-mile lollipop trail is well made and well graded. Poison oak is common along narrow trails. The hills were just so vibrant green and orange with flowers. Join us for a 9:30 am hike at Briones Regional Park. Great sunny day. For a longer 5-mile loop, take a right on the Seaborg Trail. For map users, the intersection of Bear Creek Rd and Happy Valley Rd is close to the staging area. Be courteous to the Horseback riders and the hikers and all will be fine. Some clear spots but maybe 30%. At the first intersection, stay left . Jake, thanks for sharing your experience on this trail! Trail is dry along vast majority of its length. Bear Creek: To reach the Bear Creek Staging Area on Bear Creek Road, exit Highway 24 at the Orinda/Camino Pablo exit and head toward Richmond. To reach the Bear Creek Staging . From the Oak Grove picnic area in the Bear Creek Staging Area, get on the Abrigo Valley Trail. Briones Regional Park | Top Hiking Trails in Pleasant Hills, California Elevation Gain: 371 feet 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. (LogOut/ The trail follows a fairly wide valley cut by Abrigo Creek, and it was much more forested than I imagined that it would be. Some nice cows and great trees. Not as many wildflowers as Id hoped in bloom yet. Briones Overlook Staging Area - Reliable Receptionist See wildflowers flourishing throughout East Bay open spaces Stunning views of the hills and in one portion, the city below. Old Briones Road - Black Oak Trail - Mott Peak Trail. Stop by for a visit anytime! A little mud in the lower sections, but mostly great conditions. 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 The park is also accessible via public transportation. Wildflowers! A fun out-and-back using the Bear Creek Trail which skirts the southern and eastern shores of the Briones Reservoir and ends near the staging area of Briones Overlook. 2950 Peralta Oaks Court,Oakland, CA 946051-888-EBPARKS,1-888-327-2757(Deaf or Hearing Impaired, use the TRS at 711). 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. Muddy in spots. Maps at trail head. The trail winds along the side of the hill, above the creek, heading east. Diablo. Then continue to the Bear Creek staging area. But overall a very beautiful area. Views of the west, north and east Bay Area. Took a wrong turn and added about a mile but was well worth it!! City: Orinda Region: EastBay Park: Briones Regional Park. Do not waste your time. A few e bikes from Walnut creek side. Set. Trail Directions: From the Bear Creek Staging Area, park in the far lot. Great view, lots of greens. The lagoons can be reached from either the Bear Creek Staging Area to the south or the Alhambra Creek Staging Area to the north. 4508. Green Vibes. Briones Regional Park Loop from Bear Creek Trail Head - AllTrails.com Briones Regional Park. In the spring enjoy a complete loop around the reservoir to capture the wildflower blooms. Next turn is a right at the Seabourg Trail, which you can follow all the way back to Old Briones Road, turn left and return to the parking lot. Then continue to the Bear Creek staging area. 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! Stunning landscape! The staging area is on the right slightly past the Happy Valley Rd intersection. No Started around 9AM and it was 90 degrees F almost the whole time. Be careful of holes and obstructions. Bay Area Hiker: Trails Index For map users, the intersection of Bear Creek Rd and Happy Valley Rd is close to the staging area. Mostly a wide trail so good for conversation with hiking friends. Start at the Bear Creek Staging Area and follow Old Briones Road Trail to the Valley Trail, getting . It was a wet sloggy mess. one of my favorite places for singletrack. Crusty and moist in some steep spots. 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. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Bay Area Ridge Trail; Bear Creek Trail; Black Oak Trail; Black Phoebe Trail; Blue Oak Shortcut; . I had to give up halfway through the hike and go back to the car. When you depart this clearing you will cross a little seasonal stream and reach the Seaborg Trail. Rained 2/3" that morning, sprinkled a little during the hike. Rolling hike that lets the mind unspool as you wind along the troughs and peaks. Explore Briones Bear Creek Staging - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. 7 Outdoor Activities to Do at Briones Regional Park This Weekend The intersection of Briones Crest Trail/ Mott Peak Trail and Briones Crest Trail/ Lagoon Trail is currently damaged but passable with care. Good condition. Tags: bay trees, bear, Briones, creek, kids, newt, picnic. Trail use permit required. This is very pleasant trail that anyone can enjoy that reaches a scenic picnic area for a lunch or dinner stop. There's a Goldilocks "just right" quality about hiking at Briones: Hills seem to top off just before your workout becomes a wear-out. The name came from a 1000-pound bear shot by Ramon Briones, near Bear Creek Falls, in 1897 (see photo). 9 topics about : hammer triangle station ? I happened to spot one in February (see photo). Sunscreen -- much of the hiking is unshaded Black Oak Trail crests on a ridge and keeps ascending till its end at Mott Peak Peak Trail. Probably a rookie move on my part, but definitely a learning experience. This 7-mile circuit passes the two highest points in the park, Mott's Peak and Briones Peak. 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). After about a mile you will reach a group camping site called Homestead Valley. A pleasant out-and-back using the Bear Creek Trail skirting the south and east shores of Briones Reservoir and ending near Briones Overlook staging area. Contacts. 1-888-327-2757 (1-888-EBPARKS) www.ebparks.org Rev. 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. 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. I wouldnt say they are easily passable, so youre going to get muddy in the process. Abrigo Valley, Mott Peak, Briones Crest, Table Top and Seaborg Trail, Abrigo Valley Trail to Mott Peak Trail Loop, Briones Crest, Old Briones, Table Top, Crescent Ridge and Seaborg Loop, Old Briones Road Trail and Black Oak Trail Loop, Old Briones Road, Briones Crest Trail, and Valley Trail Loop, Briones Road to Valley Trail to Crescent Ridge and Seaborg Trail, Briones Crest Trail and Valley Loop Trail, Seaborg, Briones Crest, Table Top, and Abrigo Valley Trail Loop, Abrigo Valley, Mott Peak, Black Oak Trail, Crescent Ridge Trail to Briones Crest Trail Loop, Abrigo Valley, Santos Trail, Briones Crest Loop, Old Briones Road, Valley Trail, Briones Crest, Mott Peak, Black Oak, Seaborg Trail, Briones Crest, Orchard Trail, and Lagoon Trail Loop. Plenty of bootlegged single track that doesn't appear on the park's maps. Regional Park CHALLENGING HIKE: Location; Lafayette. And the frogs are already loud and it's early February. Fantastic night hike! Really enjoy the briones trail, nice pick to enjoy with friends. Friday: Turn right on Bear Creek Rd/Wildcat Canyon Rd and travel about 4.5 miles. Hampton Trail - Wag! - WagWalking Turn left on Deer Hill road, first left (Orchard Road is on the right) into the parking area and meet there. Alhambra Creek Staging Area - Brookwood Dr, Martinez, CA 94553 Mud sticks around for a very long time as much of the flat portion is well shaded. Provisional: Either: 1) member of exotic population that is breeding in the wild, self-propagating, and has persisted for multiple years, but not yet Naturalized; 2) rarity of uncertain provenance, with natural vagrancy or captive provenance both considered plausible. Briones Regional Park, Fernandez Ranch and Surroundings Stay right and you will end up back at the staging area. Detailed maps will be available and the route will be marked with flour arrows along the way. View maps, videos, photos, and reviews of Briones Regional Park bike trail in Walnut Creek. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Careful on those tight turns as horseback riding is popular here. Contra Costa County . There's a Goldilocks "just right" quality about hiking at Briones . Several trees down on the last down, major carveout ravines on the ridge before the loop. Some steep parts but theyre not very long. East Bay Hikers (Pleasant Hill, CA) | Meetup . Yearling cattle are in Deer Creek, Pereirra , Valley, and Briones Crest trail areas. Fine for kids. Briones Pilot Project Weekend Restrictions Saturday is an date (April 29) - Bikes (& Hikers) are allowed on designated trails in the Pilot Zone - NO Horses in the Pilot Zone Sunday is an date (April 30) - Horses (& Hikers) are allowed on designated trails in the Pilot Zone - NO Bikes in the Pilot Zone Briones is an ideal park for hiking, running, and horseback riding over the park's scenic trails; picnicking, birdwatching, and similar activities; and informal recreation such as kite flying, photography, and nature study. wish i could remember how to get there to do it again! Bear right here and keep climbing. Global Ranking. Every pond was overflowing. Other than that, saw some cool nature. Amazing views of the reservoir from high above as well as serene views of the surrounding hills, among other wildflowers, dominated by California poppies, purpleheads, lupines and redstem stork's bill. Park District naturalists often lead walks to view the park's natural and historic features. Do not confuse it with Bear Creek Staging Area in Briones Regional Park, reached from the EAST side of Bear Creek Road via park access road just north of the EBMUD staging area.) The dirt is very soft and it becomes like cake batter. Then follow above info to reach the staging area. Day-trippers will be charged a flat fee of $3 per day per vehicle and/or trailer. At the end, turn right on Russell Peak Tr. There are gorgeous wildflower displays in season. Turn right on Bear Creek Road and travel 5 miles to the staging area on the right. Take a left and descend back down into the valley. The pilot project will establish specific Briones Pilot Project rules, including limitingspecific trail uses (biking and horseback riding) to certain days of the week, and temporarily opening some narrow trails to bikes only, among others. EBCHG - Briones Regional Park : Bear Creek Staging Area Hike #2 hike out of 33 in Briones Regional Park | MODERATE. Leader: Steve SmithEmail: [emailprotected] 2537 Reliez Valley Rd, Martinez, CA 94553, United States. Drive into the park - staying to the right - and park in the large gravel lot at the end of the road. Change). In the Bear Creek Staging Area and the Alhambra Creek Staging Area, Briones Regional Park has a variety of first-come, first-served picnic sites with tables and barbecue stands. 37.927116, -122.159284. Welcome to Briones East Bay Regional Park District 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA 94605-0381 1-888-327-2757 (1-888-EBPARKS) (TRS 711) www.ebparks.org Rev. So pretty in spring. 10: 8am-7pm, Apr. The Oursan Trail dips back down toward the water and parallels the shore all the way to the Bear Creek Staging Area. reviewed Briones Crest, Old Briones, Table Top, Crescent Ridge and . The search at Briones for the missing hiker - Mountain Bike Reviews Forum The first 1 mile of this trail is very pleasant, meandering through the woods. Register or Buy Tickets, Price information. This is a major, not-so-secret, hike in secret. Time: 1 Hour lovely hike on a wet day, very few ppl yet spectacular views of snow clad Mt Diablo and SF Bay. 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. BEAR CREEK STAGING AREA - 14 Photos - Briones Regional Park - Yelp Briones Regional Park is a singletrack mountain bike trail in Walnut Creek, California. Beautiful scenery all around. This park has several entry points from the surrounding towns. Nice views, good for winter hike. From Richmond take San Pablo Dam Rd to Bear Creek Road/Wildcat Canyon Rd and turn left. but otherwise dry and very nice. Start from the Bear Creek Staging Area and either hike or bike ride the 2.5 mile Abrigo Valley Trail.