Hiking in the East Bay can be tricky. In the summer, it can be hot, dry, and rattlesnakey. In the winter it is green and lush, but the trails are often mud bogs torn to shreds by grazing cattle. It is beautiful when conditions are right, but finding that window in spring isn’t easy. If there is one advantage to this year’s drought conditions, it is that it has brought a perfect balance of conditions to the East Bay. The hillsides remain green with wildflowers, but the trails are dry and easily traveled.
Trip Report
With that in mind, I set off to explore a park that was new to me – Garin/Dry Creek. I’d seen some pictures of beautiful green hillsides taken last weekend, so I thought it might be a good place for wildflowers. They weren’t great, but I did find a couple of hillsides filled with bright orange poppies.
Garin/Dry Creek is nestled in the hills between Hayward and Pleasanton. Dense civilization in the valley below borders the west side of the park, and hills dotted with houses border the east side. It’s not huge, but I was able to get in a nice 10 mile loop hike that even included a couple of little named peaks.
As expected, the trails were crowded with the locals. You always have to watch out for these in the East Bay.
I’d recommend getting out soon if you enjoy these kind of hiking conditions in the East Bay. If the drought continues the hillsides will soon be dry and brown again. If it starts to rain, the trails will be muddy. Get out while you have the chance!
