No bicycles or dogs allowed on trails. People. Orinda, California 94563, United States. 3 newts. The path provides a range of events, and is open throughout the year. With the above information sharing about bear creek staging area on official and highly reliable information sites will help you get more information. Cold. Lazuli Buntings are usually present, often the first viewings of the year for most of us. 2950 Peralta Oaks Court,Oakland, CA 946051-888-EBPARKS,1-888-327-2757(Deaf or Hearing Impaired, use the TRS at 711). The Alhambra and Bear Creek Staging Areas are open year-round, however hours vary seasonally. For map users, the intersection of Bear Creek Rd and Happy Valley Rd is close to the staging area. If you are going to do this as a shuttle trip, leave a car at the EBMUD Briones Overlook . * Review edited 5/27/2009, Can be very steep, had to push the bike-O-fool some, but so did the gearies, Pick up map at kiosk when you pay the six bucks to park. This is a one of several staging areas in the park and a great starting point for several trails whipping through the. This is a major, not-so-secret, hike in secret. Head out on this 10.6-km loop trail near Lafayette, California. Probably a rookie move on my part, but definitely a learning experience. From State Route 24, take the Upper Happy Valley Road exit and follow Upper Happy Valley Road north. We will meet in one of the lower lots, NOT the main lot, please follow the directions below! For a two-mile loop take a left and then another left at the three-way junction to head back to the staging area. Do not waste your time. Beautiful. 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. From Oakland/Orinda: Follow CA-24 E to Oak Hill Rd in Lafayette. Rain damaged the trail a bit with ruts on the hills, but nothing too bad. Absolutely wonderful spot for getting in contact with nature and be completely in peace. Lafayette Ridge Staging Area is closed due to significant landslides. You will plunge a little less than a mile into the woods before heading out into the meadows. Also, verdant and empty on a Saturday afternoon. The staging area is on the right slightly past the Happy Valley Rd intersection. The staging area is on the right slightly past the Happy Valley Rd intersection. Drive into the park - staying to the right - and park in the large gravel lot at the end of the road. Wow. The Briones Pilot Project is a two-year pilot program to test strategies in addressing trail congestion, trail safety, and illegal bootleg trails, which have negative impacts on wildlife, including sensitive and endangered species. From Walnut Creek/Danville: Take 24 west to exit 13 toward Central Lafayette/Moraga. Cell Phone: (925) 325-0805. And it's only a few miles off Highway 24, the main route connecting Berkeley and Walnut Creek. Lafayette Ridge Staging Area is closed due to significant landslides. My only quibble, and the thing that kept me from giving it five stars, is that all of the trails in Brionis are wide, some of them gravel. While this is used very well, it's a wide area and people prefer to spread out naturally so it never feels too busy. Whether you're hiking with a meetup, or on your own, please review these hiking safety tips. Some descents will get you into the 40mph + realm. When you depart this clearing you will cross a little seasonal stream and reach the Seaborg Trail. I wouldnt say they are easily passable, so youre going to get muddy in the process. Walked aside them at one point of the trail. You'll be about 4 miles away at the Bear Creek Staging Area (which has bathrooms). We gave it space and it moved off on its own. Stunning views of the hills and in one portion, the city below. Homestead Valley group camping and picnic area. Exit Highway 24 at the Orinda/Camino Pablo exit 9 and head toward Richmond on Camino Pablo for 2.2 miles. These leash-required areas are indicated by signage within the park. Bear Creek Staging Area | Spaulding Concrete Briones Regional Park Hiking Trails: Briones Peak Experience! View maps, videos, photos, and reviews of Briones Regional Park bike trail in Walnut Creek. Briones is accessible from Highway 24 and has five different staging areas . Not many people, some runners and hikers, some groups of MTBs. And cows with calves. 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. West Briones Regional Park . Hiked 1/24. There are gorgeous wildflower displays in season. Briones Regional Park | East Bay Parks Dogs welcome for $2 fee. Meet: Bear Creek Staging Area . Hampton Trail - Wag! - WagWalking Barricades and cones have been posted on both ends of the fire trail to warn park users. 10 topics about : hammer toe separators ? Bear Creek Trail winds through a bay forest. Great views. The intersection of Briones Crest Trail/ Mott Peak Trail and Briones Crest Trail/ Lagoon Trail is currently damaged but passable with care. Old Briones Road, Bear Creek Staging Area, Briones Regional Park, EBRPD, Contra Costa County Old County Road, Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline, EBRPD, Contra Costa County Old Creek Trail, Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area, EBRPD, Alameda County Old Guadalupe Trail All Access Loop, San Bruno Mountain County and State Park, CSMP, San Mateo County Fire roads that feel like you're riding straight up the devil's driveway into pure hell. Great hike with just the right amount of elevation. View Map. Geography. Briones' deep valleys to its highest ridges and back. Beautiful scenery all around. Mud on Old Briones Road Trail. Alhambra Creek Staging Area - Brookwood Dr, Martinez, CA 94553 Lots of time spent navigating. Briones Regional Park | East Bay Parks A few e bikes from Walnut creek side. . Shade. Bay Area Ridge Trail; Bear Creek Trail; Black Oak Trail; Black Phoebe Trail; Blue Oak Shortcut; . 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. Long hikers continue on Russell Peak, left on Mariposa looping around right on a paved road and right to stay on Mariposa. Only people were 2 mountain bikers. 7 Outdoor Activities to Do at Briones Regional Park This Weekend Barricades and cones have been posted on both ends of the fire trail to warn park users. This part of the 3.5-mile lollipop trail is well made and well graded. Hiked 3/4, just after a rain. It was absolutely beautiful if youre into the rolling hills view. Yearling cattle are in Deer Creek, Pereirra , Valley, and Briones Crest trail areas. Abrigo Valley Loop at Briones Regional Park - Lonely Hiker Orinda, California 94563, United States. 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. 14-Apr. Best East Bay Picnic Spots - CBS San Francisco But - the newts are out! Briones Bountiful! | Weekend Sherpa We did the reaul clockwise which gave us early morning sun with no coverage, and had some shade in the later afternoon! Briones' 6,255 acres are home to many animals and birds, which forage on the grasslands or find shelter among the oaks and bays. This park has several entry points from the surrounding towns. link Copy Link. Both routes are about the same length and difficulty, but the Bear Creek route is . (925) 627-4200. This trail had way more ups and downs that I had expected, but was such a beautiful hike. Not too difficult. Stay on Briones Crest Trail and climb till it passes Briones Peak. There were some pretty muddy spots, which were a little challenging but not horrible. Great time of year to saunter these grounds !! The trails reconnect after about a mile, then descend toward the trailhead. Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve Labyrinth. The long hike turns right on Deer Creek Tr., right on Pereira, left then right following the Ivan Dickson loop trail out and back to the Ivan Dickson Memorial. 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. The park is prettiest in mid-April -- when the grassy hills turn a shimmering green, with the wildflowers providing dollops of orange, yellow and purple -- but it's also worth a visit in autumn, when the hills are still golden but the summer heat is fading. Hike had quite a bit of up and down hills; our calves were definitely feeling it! East Bay park offers ample solitude, abundant sunshine. Barely any covering but you dont need it this time of year! FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. 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.) Contra Costa County . Briones Regional Park is over 6,116 acres and consists of open grasslands interspersed with deep oak forests, and is typical of the region. I saw two rattlesnakes on Bear Creek today. Reachable from the Hampton Staging Area at the end of Hampton Road, the wide trail through open landscape is your fast track to the trails that circle the Briones Reservoir. Briones Regional Park is a huge, uncrowded park with 6,256 acres of parkland for recreation. don't bother with alhambra creek trail unless you want to be obnoxious and go on a weekday cuz theres a lot of people on sat and sun. From the Oak Grove picnic area in the Bear Creek Staging Area, get on the Abrigo Valley Trail. Beautiful trail with lots of ups and downs. . And the frogs are already loud and it's early February. Contacts. You might wonder how the creek got its name. At the end, turn right on Russell Peak Tr. Best MTB Gear | Finished at 4.4 miles. When rain hitsit goes from cake mix to all out clay sludge and will become impassable in Winter. My dog Kirr Mahal and I enjoyed this trail! Lupin, poppies, and bright green grass as far as the eye could see. Good, harder than I thought, but I loved the extra work. Start from the Bear Creek Staging Area and either hike or bike ride the 2.5 mile Abrigo Valley Trail. A bit muddy in patches, but overall really great! The hike below represents a small sampling of the trails available from Briones' five trailheads. Trail is dry along vast majority of its length. In the spring enjoy a complete loop around the reservoir to capture the wildflower blooms. At the Info Panel, go through the gate and head East along Old Briones Road. But you still need to be careful! Hiker's choice of a short 7 mile/1670' moderate+ hike or a longer 8 mile/1870' challenging hike. Best Hiking Trails in Briones Regional Park - California | Gaia GPS Take a right and then another right into the Bear Creek Staging Area. Within the park, these leash-required areas are indicated by signage. But beautiful nonetheless. Trail use permit required. The trail winds along the side of the hill, above the creek, heading east. But overall a very beautiful area. Leader: Steve SmithEmail: [emailprotected] Continue on Bear Creek trail to the dirt parking lot and then follow the road up to Briones Park and Bear Creek Staging Area. Trail map of Briones found here. Briones Overlook via Bear Creek Trail is a highly trafficked 11.4 kilometer back and forth trail located near Orinda, California, which features a lake and is graded as moderate. The short hike continues straight on down Briones Crest until the end, then left by Oak Grove Picnic area and back to the parking area. BEAR CREEK STAGING AREA - 14 Photos - Briones Regional Park - Yelp You can make a left at the trail it crosses and loop back around for a second go. Briones Regional Park--Bear Creek Staging Area. 2023 East Bay Regional Park District.All Rights Reserved. PDF Briones Regional Park MODERATE HIKE Photo: D. Little North MUIR BEAR CREEK STAGING AREA - 14 Photos - Briones Regional Park - Yelp Easy to navigate but lots of Sun exposure so come with water, hats, and sunscreen. Views of the west, north and east Bay Area. Briones Regional Park | Top Hiking Trails in Pleasant Hills, California Briones in Bloom Hosted By Greenbelt Alliance. DOGS welcome. There are gorgeous wildflower displays in season. Register or Buy Tickets, Price information. Closes 6 PM. Although the park is close to Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and Martinez, there are peaks within it from which you can see only park and watershed lands for miles in every direction. Bear right here and keep climbing. From the Bear Creek parking lot, take old Old Briones Road northeast and turn left on Black Oak Trail -- an old wagon road. Watch for springtime wildflowers, with beautiful valleys and meadows throughout the hike. Briones Overlook via Bear Creek Trail | Map, Guide - AllTrails | Dogs: $2 per dog. 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! Then follow above info to reach the staging area. This is a nice spot to pause for a few minutes. You may see black-tailed deer, coyotes, squirrels, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, and if you are lucky, other more reclusive creatures. 85 in Mountain Biking [+] Seaborg trail starts mellow and then goes to a strong climb to connect to Briones Crest. Join us for a 9:30 am hike at Briones Regional Park. 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. This 7-mile circuit passes the two highest points in the park, Mott's Peak and Briones Peak. These count in official eBird totals and, where applicable, have been accepted by regional bird records committee(s). So pretty in spring. . 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. Took us 2.5hrs. Only 1 newt. Lots of slipping and sliding today. Horses are capable of using this trail as well. Today, Briones Park is an important watershed and . 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. easily marked trail with some strenuous but brief uphill sections and a final slippery decent. It was a wet sloggy mess. Event starts on Sunday, 23 April 2023 and happening at Briones Regional Park, Lafayette, CA. There are five major access points, of which the two most developed are the Alhambra Creek Valley Staging Area off Reliez Valley Road near Martinez and the Bear Creek Road Staging Area near Orinda and Lafayette. Join us for a 9:30 am hike at Briones Regional Park. There are gorgeous wildflower displays in season. Bear Creek Loop in Briones | The Undiscovered Hikes of Lamorinda To get to the Bear Creek Staging Area, (one of the larger parking areas) take the . After about a third of a mile, turn right at the Briones Crest Trail, one of the nicest in the park. Plenty of climbing..rarely get out of there w/o 2500-3000ft of climbing over 12-15 miles. Briones Regional Park | Mga Parke sa East Bay Hike begins on Old Briones Road, left on Black Oak, right on Mott Peak, right on Briones Crest, left on Lagoon, left to stay on Lagoon, another left to stay on Lagoon. BRIONES REGIONAL PARK. Global Ranking. 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. (A side trip to the nearby lagoons offers an excellent excuse to break for lunch). Land Manager: . Lots of cows. Briones Regional Park is a singletrack mountain bike trail in Walnut Creek, California. Glad I did it clockwise to get the steep ascent over with. Still beautiful up there. 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). If youre allergic to poison oak avoid this section, its almost impossible to avoid. Hike Details for Briones Regional Park - Bear Creek Staging Area - EBCHG Tags: bay trees, bear, Briones, creek, kids, newt, picnic. 4508. In 1829 Felipe Briones built a home near the Bear Creek entrance, cultivating the land and raising cattle. Saw no one, beautiful starry night. Skip to content; Skip to results Menu. Rained 2/3" that morning, sprinkled a little during the hike. 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). Your dog can come too but make sure it's on a leash. Theres a lovely single track part at the top, There is a dead end one of the hiking trails. great trail, mostly sunny but lots of shade on last chunk. . Due to the adobe soil right after a rain it becomes very muddy and almost impossible to ride up, or even walk in some spots. 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 The Oursan Trail dips back down toward the water and parallels the shore all the way to the Bear Creek Staging Area. Return to the junction and turn right on Pereira, then right on Deer Creek Tr., until the end where you turn left and head toward Oak Grove Picnic area and on to the parking area. Avid Hikers Sharing Their Favorite Trails, Kovar to Indian Creek Trail (ShellRidge). Mostly a wide trail so good for conversation with hiking friends. There are gorgeous wildflower displays in season. PDF Briones Regional Park CHALLENGING HIKE - East Bay Regional Park District Contra Costa County . Really enjoy the briones trail, nice pick to enjoy with friends. Good for dogs. 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. We will start at 8:30 am!! From Orinda take Camino Pablo north towards San Pablo Dam Road. Turn left on Deer Hill road, first left (Orchard Road is on the right) into the parking area and meet there. Explore a complete list of bird species observations in this area. 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. Bear Creeks banks are also lined with coast live oak, willow, madrone, and big leaf maple. We will meet at the lower parking lot of the Bear Creek Staging Area up to the right after the entrance kiosk. I know I sound confusing but it's really easy to follow the trail keeps going and going and about a mile from the top of that hill you'll come to a massive downhill immediately followed by a massive uphill, just past this a singletrack rides up the side of the hill, and that takes you to the beginning of our singletrackyou have to hop a gate at the top and you'll see a bench and a little cement thing announcing that you're at the highest point in Briones if you're sitting on the bench you will see a singletrack to your left that's it. the path down is easy to follow, there's one point where it crosse another trail and you'll hit one fork turn left, this puts youon a fire road for a little bit, but keep your eye out cause just before you cross the creek a singletrack will branch off to the right, and that's were you want to go.. this is a fairly advanced technical trail, few good steep sections, and some roots and rocky parts, you will be riding on narrow, high trails, and look out for low branches lots of fun, and the first "real" singletrack I rode the singletrack brings you right back to the parking lot and you're set *WARNING* DO NOT DO THIS TRAIL WITHOUT A CAMELBAK OR LOTS OF WATER, THE CLIMB UP IS RIDICULOUSLY TIRING You can make this ride as long or as short as you want, so its a great 30 min ride or a strenuous 2 and a half hour ride. East Bay park offers ample solitude, abundant sunshine. Park It: Nature, birding walks planned near Berkeley, Martinez A bit challenging for my foot in surgery recovery but oh well A good portion of it was in the exposed sun so you dont want to do it on a hot day. Its maily fireroads but there is some slightly technical singletrack that you can take. Briones is a hidden wilderness surrounded by the towns of central Contra Costa County, with its rolling, grassy hills and secluded, shady canyons. Briones Regional Park's three group camping areas--Wee-Ta-Chi, Maud Whalen, and Homestead Valley-may be reserved by calling 1-888-EBPARKS or(1-888-327-2757), press option 2 or by writing to EBRPD Reservations, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, P.O. Free topomap Briones Regional Park, Fernandez Ranch and Surroundings. No flowers blooming yet. Very difficult hiking with two cow-prone dogs. Bay Area Hiker: Trails Index Several trees down on the last down, major carveout ravines on the ridge before the loop. The singletrack section is steep and rocky - oh and fun. eBird Checklist - 27 Mar 2023 - Briones Regional Park--Bear Creek Note: 8:30 am Start Time!! Take exit 12, turn left from offramp onto Oak Hill, then right on Deer Hill, second right into parking area. Website:BrionesArchery.org. 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. About a half mile later you will reach the Crescent Ridge Trail. Directions: From Lafayette take Happy Valley Road up over the hill to Bear Creek Road. Took a wrong turn and added about a mile but was well worth it!! Please call the park if you have trail or grazing animal concerns or comments:1-888-327-2757, option 3, ext. Monday, May 9, 8 AM to 1 PM . Bear Creek Trail Hiking Trail, Orinda, California - Hiking Project While Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and Martinez are close to the park, there are peaks within it from which you can . The lagoons can be reached from either the Bear Creek Staging Area to the south or the Alhambra Creek Staging Area to the north. Old Briones Road Trail to Toyon Canyon Trail, Contra Costa County, CA, USA . Im sure its great if your dogs arent desirous to chase Cows. Good 3 hour hike. Extended the loop by taking Seaborg to Homestead Valley then Bear Creek Trail. 1261 Locust St, Walnut Creek! Friday: East Bay Hikers (Pleasant Hill, CA) | Meetup (510) 544-3121Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4508. The park is also accessible via public transportation. Awesome hike for moderate difficulty. No bathroom at trailhead but there is one at a nearby lot, I believe. Reservable Picnic Reservable Group Camping Archery Pond Gate, No Access . Very green, poppies just starting, newts came out at dusk, dozens of them. Didnt deviate. Drive into the park staying to the right and park in the large gravel lot at the end of the road. Some grades certainly steeper than expected and a bit monotonal in scenery (not in a bad way though!). 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. 16 Bear Creek Road, Lafayette, California 94549, United States. Briones regional Park is one of my favorite regional parks in the Bay area. From the parking area of the Overlook Staging Area, hop for a brief spell on the Bear Creek Trail before reaching Oursan Trail. At the first intersection, stay left . Leader: Mike Marchiano, 925-372-6328. Better wait until drier weather. 13: 8am-6pm, Mar. Briones Overlook via Bear Creek Trail is a highly trafficked 11.4 kilometer back and forth trail located near Orinda, California, which features a lake and is graded as moderate. This hike takes you to Briones Regional Park's most popular destination, an open, rolling hilltop meadow on top of Briones Crest. GPS. Time: About 2 hours. 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. The last mile or so was still a little muddy but passable. Since we'll occasionally be hiking on East Bay Mud .