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rootsrunner

238 posts since
Jun 28, 2006

Nov 7, 2007 9:40 AM

Bay Area trail advice

Hello-

I'm coming to the Bay Area (grew up in Hayward) during Thanksgiving and beyond. I took up trail and ultrarunning long after I moved away and I ask for input about your favorite area trails.

I will be staying in Marin county for a day or two and the East Bay for another day or two. I know there are a couple local ultras going on, and naturally I would like to run an ultra in California one day, but I am not in shape to run a race. Just looking for good trail time.

I am pondering a unsupported Ohlone trail run (from Del Valle to Mission Peak) and wondered if anyone knows typical trail conditions and the availability of water sources in the Ohlone Wilderness.

Thanks for any or all input on Bay Area trails.

Bill^L

38 posts since
Dec 8, 2007

1. Nov 7, 2007 11:43 AM

in response to: rootsrunner

If you don't get an answer here you might want to try the trail forum of the other board. I know there are a few forumites over there who hang out in the Ohlone Wilderness.

thr3ee

20 posts since
Sep 12, 2007

2. Nov 7, 2007 2:19 PM

in response to: rootsrunner

quote:<HR>Originally posted by rootsrunner:
Hello-

I'm coming to the Bay Area (grew up in Hayward) during Thanksgiving and beyond. I took up trail and ultrarunning long after I moved away and I ask for input about your favorite area trails.

I will be staying in Marin county for a day or two and the East Bay for another day or two. I know there are a couple local ultras going on, and naturally I would like to run an ultra in California one day, but I am not in shape to run a race. Just looking for good trail time.

I am pondering a unsupported Ohlone trail run (from Del Valle to Mission Peak) and wondered if anyone knows typical trail conditions and the availability of water sources in the Ohlone Wilderness.

Thanks for any or all input on Bay Area trails.

<HR>

OK, so I'm not really sure how you can plan to run unsupported from Del Valle to Mission Peak and not be in shape to run an ultra race, since that is basically the route for one of the biggest 50K races around here in summer. As for general trail running there are so many options here in the Bay Area that it is hard to just list a few. One thing would be to look at some of the local races and use part of their routes.

www.pctrailruns.com[/URL" target="_blank"> has a bunch and will be holding three different races in the month of December, two of them in Marin County. They include a variety of runs ranging from around 10K to 50K at each event.

You can find lots of trails in the East Bay at the regional parks site www.ebparks.com.[/URL" target="_blank"> I'm in Fremont and frequent the following: Mission Peak, Sonol, Pleasanton Ridge, Garin, and Chabot. However, Redwood Park up in the Oakland hills is the most beautiful in my opinion.

rootsrunner

238 posts since
Jun 28, 2006

3. Nov 7, 2007 10:25 PM

in response to: rootsrunner

quote:<HR>Originally posted by thr3ee:
OK, so I'm not really sure how you can plan to run unsupported from Del Valle to Mission Peak and not be in shape to run an ultra race, since that is basically the route for one of the biggest 50K races around here in summer. As for general trail running there are so many options here in the Bay Area that it is hard to just list a few. One thing would be to look at some of the local races and use part of their routes.

www.pctrailruns.com[/URL" target="_blank"> has a bunch and will be holding three different races in the month of December, two of them in Marin County. They include a variety of runs ranging from around 10K to 50K at each event.

You can find lots of trails in the East Bay at the regional parks site www.ebparks.com.[/URL" target="_blank"> I'm in Fremont and frequent the following: Mission Peak, Sonol, Pleasanton Ridge, Garin, and Chabot. However, Redwood Park up in the Oakland hills is the most beautiful in my opinion.

<HR>

Heh, thanks. I should be more clear. I can run the distance but I'm not looking to enter a race. Then again, I live in Ohio where the biggest local hills are but a few hundred feet.

I'm looking for a little adventure during my visit. I grew up in South Hayward and Garin is/was my backyard. I normally run up there or up to Mission Peak.

Ohlone trail is a starting point for ideas, but I'm open to anything. I'm looking to piece together a long run in either Ohlone or in Chabot/Redwood.

Availability of water sources will be a determining factor. Is anyone knowledgeable on where to get water if running in either the Ohlone Wilderness or if connecting Chabot and Redwood Park?

I'm just looking to make one good long run during me trip. Knowing where to fill my bottle will help tremendously.

Marin County- I'm staying in San Rafael. Can someone suggest a trailhead?

Thanks again.

Katie029

35 posts since
Jun 26, 2006

4. Nov 8, 2007 12:00 AM

in response to: rootsrunner

Why don't you run part or all of the Firetrails 50 course. Talk about right in your backyard:

http://www.firetrails50.net/[/URL" target="_blank">

Look under information. Names of the trails are listed.

Check back with me if you want to run in the Santa Cruz Mountains. I have a zillion runs there.

Have a great adventure!

thr3ee

20 posts since
Sep 12, 2007

5. Dec 27, 2007 2:30 AM

in response to: rootsrunner

quote:<HR>Originally posted by rootsrunner:
Heh, thanks. I should be more clear. I can run the distance but I'm not looking to enter a race. Then again, I live in Ohio where the biggest local hills are but a few hundred feet.

I'm looking for a little adventure during my visit. I grew up in South Hayward and Garin is/was my backyard. I normally run up there or up to Mission Peak.

Ohlone trail is a starting point for ideas, but I'm open to anything. I'm looking to piece together a long run in either Ohlone or in Chabot/Redwood.

Availability of water sources will be a determining factor. Is anyone knowledgeable on where to get water if running in either the Ohlone Wilderness or if connecting Chabot and Redwood Park?

I'm just looking to make one good long run during me trip. Knowing where to fill my bottle will help tremendously.

Marin County- I'm staying in San Rafael. Can someone suggest a trailhead?

Thanks again.<HR>

OK, I can give you a little more detail that may help.

The Ohlone Wilderness trail has water available at numerous points along the trail. You are technically supposed to obtain a permit which is how you get the map of the full trail. However, you can use the course maps from the Ohlone 50K:

http://www.abovethefog.net/Ohlone50K/Course_Info/course_info.html[/URL" target="_blank">

There is water at:
- Mission Peak trailhead
- Eagle Camp behind Mission Peak
- Sonol Headquarters though it may be turned off late in season
- Backpacker's Camp
- Maggies Half Acre
- Stewart's Camp
- Del Valle trailhead

One important thing to know is that some of the water may require treatment to be safe. Also, this is a relatively remote and challenging trail with close to 8000ft of climbing over the 30 miles. Expect a long day and plan ahead especially in the winter.

As someone else mentioned the course of the Firetrails 50 race also provides some great trails through numerous east bay county parks. You can find a course description here:
http://www.firetrails50.net/general.html#Course%20Description[/URL" target="_blank">

There are good PDF maps of these trails also available at the ebparks.com web site. The maps can be downloaded and are pretty well documented with information on water availability http://www.ebparks.com/parks/maps[/URL" target="_blank">

You'll want to check out the following maps:
- Anthony Chabot South & North
- Redwood South & North
- Huckleberry
- Sibley
- Tilden South & North

You can make a route through these parks as long or short as you like. It is not nearly as remote as the Ohlone Wilderness, but it is much more accessible and perhaps even more beautiful as the variety is amazing ranging from Eucalyptus to Redwoods to lush fern growth.

As for Marin, I have mostly run in the headlands and a few times on Mount Tam. There are lots of trails in the Marin Headlands which is part of the National Park System. You will want to look at either the Golden Gate Recreation Area or Muir Woods Area. Info and maps are available here:
http://www.nps.gov/goga/[/URL" target="_blank">
http://www.nps.gov/muwo/[/URL" target="_blank">

The most famous trails are the Coastal Trail, Miwok Trail, Dipsea Trail and Bolinas Ridge. There are lots of ultras and shorter races run here so you can search around for good ideas on routes.Many of these trails also go through Mount Tamalpais park so you can look for trails there too. Going up to the peak and back is always a good challenge.

Mount Tamalpais is a State Park so info on it can be found here:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=471[/URL" target="_blank">

For other Marin Parks closer to San Rafael you can look here, but I am not as familiar with any of these parks or their trails:
http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/PK/Main/mcosd/home.asp[/URL" target="_blank">

I guess that was a bit more than a "little" information

-Steve
http://mountain-man-steve.blogspot.com/[/URL" target="_blank">

http://This message has been edited by thr3ee (edited Nov-08-2007).

TrailBitten

178 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

6. Nov 8, 2007 12:55 PM

in response to: rootsrunner

Rootsrunner is defintely in shape to run!

rootsrunner

238 posts since
Jun 28, 2006

7. Dec 27, 2007 2:30 AM

in response to: rootsrunner

thr3ee and katie- thank you for the links. My imagination is piqued - I have a some map reading and planning to do.

If I did Ohlone, I'll consider an overnight fastpack. What is the ideal camp spot in the wilderness?

I go to Garin most every time I visit. I recall that the trail condition, at times, is that mud that cakes thick on the bottom of the shoe. This is the only place I've experienced this. Common? I can't imagine running long distance in Ohlone under conditions as such.

Thanks again for the info. Seems like its impossible not to find good trails in the Bay Area. I really need not overthink this.

edited to add not

http://This message has been edited by rootsrunner (edited Nov-09-2007).

rootsrunner

238 posts since
Jun 28, 2006

8. Nov 9, 2007 9:18 AM

in response to: rootsrunner

quote:<HR>Originally posted by TrailBitten:
Rootsrunner is defintely in shape to run!<HR>

Ha, I've only run two ultras this year. Thanks for the kudos, trailbitten. How's your running going this year?

thr3ee

20 posts since
Sep 12, 2007

9. Nov 9, 2007 11:52 AM

in response to: rootsrunner

quote:<HR>Originally posted by rootsrunner:
If I did Ohlone, I'll consider an overnight fastpack. What is the ideal camp spot in the wilderness?
<HR>

To camp in the Ohlone Wilderness you will need a permit and a reservation at one of the backcountry camp sites. You can get information about it here:

http://www.ebparks.com/parks/ohlone[/URL" target="_blank">

I have only stayed at the main Backpacker's Camp area just on the edge of Sonol, but there are two more camping areas for backpackers closer to Del Valle, Maggie's Half Acre and Stewart's Camp. There is also a campground in Sonol and another backpacker's camp near Mission Peak called Eagle Camp. Eagle Camp is about 4 miles from the trailhead so is sort of overkill unless you just want someplace to sleep until morning.

You will need to check with the park office about availability and such during December as well as the water situation. Good luck and have a great time!

TrailBitten

178 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

10. Nov 9, 2007 12:47 PM

in response to: rootsrunner

Have fun, Lloyd! We went to Tahoe and San Fran, and I see the appeal of the areas you speak of!( I did Tahoe half. ) My running has been sadly minimal, as I've had many injuries. The worst is trochanter bursitis. I still did two very slow ultra events.

Next year! Hope to see you at a race. Keep posting about your running.

TrailOBite Michelle

Nov 7, 2007 9:40 AM

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