MIT/Harvard Hike: Tilden Park
Join us March 1, 2025 for a walk starting at the Inspiration Point at the NE entrance to Tilden Park
Distance: ~ 8.0 miles Mostly dirt trails with short stretches of paved road
Elevation Gain: 1500' Moderate
Est. Time: 4-5 hours
Parking: Free
Restrooms are available at the trailhead and at several points along the hike (see Tilden Park map).
Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash if they are within 200 ft of a trail.
March 1, 2025
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM PST
Tilden Park
Description: The hike begins at Inspiration Point at the NE entrance to Tilden Park. We will head downhill on a trail paralleling Wildcat Canyon Road then cross the road to pick up Seaview trail. This is part of the East Bay Skyline National Trail and the Bay Area Ridge Trail. There are nice views of San Francisco and the bay as well as San Pablo Reservoir to the east. Next is the ascent of Vollmer Peak, site of the East Bay hills camera seen on KGO TV. At 1900 ft. elevation it is the highest point along the hike. Descending from the peak we follow the Seaview trail down to the facility of the Golden Gate Live Steamers (Continuous Dedication to Live Steaming & Model Engineering Since 1936). Here there are picnic tables, water and restrooms. This will be our lunch stop. After lunch there may be a short tour of the model steam trains and their maintenance shop.
We'll rejoin the Vollmer Peak Trail and continue northwest down to its junction with South Park Drive, closed at this time to protect migrating newts. Proceed past the UC botanic Gardens and pick up the Wildcat Gorge Trail. This follows a creek with mini-waterfalls for about a mile. The Meadows Canyon Trail returns us to our starting point.
A map of Tilden park may be downloaded at https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/Tilden-MapBr-20250128.pdf
Click Here To Register
What to Bring: Have a good breakfast to start your day. As the trail runs along the ridge line there is quite a bit of sun exposure. Sunblock and a hat are recommended, along with plenty of water (at least 2 quarts per person). Dressing in layers with a windbreaker is a good idea. Bring snacks and a lunch.
Directions: Wildcat Canyon Road is closed from Camino Pablo to Inspiration Point due to storm damage from 2023.
Plan to enter Tilden Park from Grizzly Peak Boulevard on Golf Course Drive. Turn right on Shasta Rd. and then right on Wildcat Canyon Road. Follow Wildcat Canyon Road to Inspiration Point.
Google Earth coordinates: 37º 54' 17.20" N, 122º 14' 40.31" W
Driving time: about 1 hr and 10 minutes from the South Bay
Carpooling: Carpooling is always a nice idea. If people want to get into a carpool, we've set up a link at: https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/b6zj8a
Rain policy: If there's any ambiguity about the weather on the day of the hike, you can check the forecast the morning of the hike. The NWS forecast for the Berkeley hills may be found at http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-122.24449&lat=37.90485#.VHuZTIdmCgs If it's raining significantly, the hike is off. If the weather is ambiguous, we will send out an email to all that have sent in a RSVP.
Disclaimers:
Joining any event involving physical exertion is entirely voluntary and participants assume any and all risks associated with the activities. By registering or attending this event, participants agree to the conditions posted at:
Organizer
Paul Kuzmenko
kuzmenko =>at>= att.net