up of the Coyote Creek watershed and its multiple drainages below.
The trail encounters Manzanita Point and the junction with Cougar Trail (3.7/1,910'), where you continue straight on China Hole Trail to begin a series of long, descending switchbacks to the canyon bottom and the junction with Mile Trail (5.2/1,150'). China Hole Trail Camp and its year-round swimming hole await a short distance upstream. In summer and fall, this stream is the only reliable water source on the hike, so fill your bottles.
Continuing, proceed upstream to quickly reach the confluence of Coyote Creek’s Middle Fork (left) and East Fork (right). Here Creekside Trail splits off to connect with Poverty Flat Trail Camp via the Middle Fork, a shorter return option. To complete the full loop, bear right up the East Fork and enter the lush world of the Narrows. There is no officially maintained trail through the Narrows, but a use path is generally obvious as it closely parallels the creek. This route requires crossing the stream in several places, and, depending on season and flow, this can be a rock-hop or knee-deep ford. In times of heavy rains the Narrows may become impassable—use caution.
Profuse spring wildflowers color the ground in this canyon environment, and soon you reach wide Mahoney Meadows Rd. and the start of Los Cruzeros Trail Camp near the confluence of East Fork Coyote and Kelly Creeks (6.2/1,230'). Bear left on Mahoney Meadows Rd. and cross the creek near the junction with Willow Ridge Trail (6.3/1,230'), a short distance upstream.
Follow wide Mahoney Meadows Rd. as it climbs steeply through open woodlands and then turn left onto broad Poverty Flat Rd. (6.8/1,620'). Remain on Poverty Flat Rd. as it ascends to reach Jackass Trail (7.0/1,790') before descending to a saddle below Jackass Peak (1,784'). A short side trip leads to the level summit and its near-360-degree views. Poverty Flat Rd. plummets past this point to meet Middle Fork Coyote Creek and Creekside Trail (8.2/1,150') arriving from China Hole. The wide streambed of sycamores is a pleasant backdrop to nearby Poverty Flat Trail Camp, which was used as a primary staging area during the Lick Fire.
Poverty Flat Rd. meanders among the camp’s five sites and junctions for Cougar and Middle Ridge Trails, then begins a steady thousand-foot ascent along the flanks of Pine Ridge. Poverty Flat Rd. contours gently and ascends steeply for short, strenuous sections until an intense switchbacking climb at the end deposits you back atop Pine Ridge at the earlier junction with Manzanita Point Rd. (10.2/2,330'). Return to the trailhead on the road or via Springs Trail, which travels along the margin of open oak woodland and past several dribbling springs to reach Corral Trail (11.5/2,510') and the final section back to the visitor center (12.1/2,650').
Nearest Visitor Center The park visitor center, 408-779-2728, is open Friday–Sunday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. year-round with later hours during busy periods in spring and summer. It’s open sporadically Monday–Thursday.
Backpacking Information Backcountry camping is permitted at China Hole, Poverty Flat, and Los Cruzeros Trail Camps. A permit is required and must be obtained the day of your departure. All permits are first come, first served—no reservations are accepted—though space is almost always available. There is a permit fee of $5 per person per night and a parking fee of $8 per vehicle per night. Campfires are prohibited.
Nearest Campgrounds Headquarters Campground (20 sites, $20) is below the visitor center and fills up most weekends in spring and summer. Large groups can also consider the Manzanita Group Camping Area (9 sites, $75), 2 miles from the visitor center. For reservations, visit reserveamerica.com or call 800-444-7275.
Additional Information www.parks.ca.gov, coepark.net
HIKE 11 Sunol Backpack Area
Highlight A hidden oak woodland oasis
Distance 5.9 miles
Total Elevation Gain/Loss 1,100'/1,100'
Hiking Time 3–5 hours
Recommended Maps Sunol Regional Wilderness Park Map by East Bay Regional Park District, USGS 7.5-min. La Costa Valley
Best Times February–May
Agency Sunol Regional Wilderness, East Bay Regional Park District
Difficulty
SHIELDED FROM VIEW behind landmark Mission Peak, peaceful Sunol Wilderness offers escape in beautiful rolling woodlands. An idyllic backcountry camping area is located at the hike’s midpoint, a tranquil spot and a wonderful way to extend your visit.
The Hike explores the multifaceted character of Sunol Wilderness, passing through majestic oak woodlands, walking open hillsides, and pausing at substantial Alameda Creek as it rushes through a scenic section dubbed “Little Yosemite.” This hike can be completed year-round, but spring is the time to come as hillsides are carpeted green, wildflowers are in bloom, and temperatures are most ideal. Cows graze throughout the park, creating a pleasant manicured landscape full of cow-pie minefields. Crowds around Little Yosemite can be heavy, especially on weekends, but the rest of the trails are more peaceful. Poison oak and stinging nettle are ubiquitous and unfriendly companions on this hike—be watchful. Water is available at the trailhead.
To Reach the Trailhead Take Hwy. 680 east of Fremont to the Calaveras Rd. exit and proceed south on Calaveras Rd. for 4.3 miles to Geary Rd. Turn left on Geary Rd., reaching the visitor center parking lot and trailhead in 1.9 miles. There is a day-use fee of $5 per vehicle, plus $2 per dog.
Sweet Sunol
Description From the trailhead (0.0/410'), head to the wooden bridge over Alameda Creek and pause to admire the babbling waters. The largest watershed in the East Bay, Alameda Creek drains more than 700 square miles. Here it nourishes the mottled, smooth gray trunks and twisting branches of California sycamores, which line the streambed. With their broad leaves, sycamore trees can lose up to 50 gallons of water per day and grow only where such large volumes are available.
Cross the bridge, bear right on the wide path, and continue straight on Canyon View Trail as it quickly passes junctions on the left for Hayfield Rd., Indian Joe Nature Trail, and Indian Joe Creek Trail. Canyon View Trail soon climbs away from the creek and into a drier environment populated by blue oaks, the most drought-tolerant of all oaks. Easily recognized, their leaves are shallowly lobed with smooth margins. You pass through one of numerous cattle gates to come (always leave them as you find them) and reach a four-way intersection with McCorkle Trail (0.7/700').
Turn left on McCorkle Trail and follow the overgrown path as it climbs the ridgeline and then turns east to traverse through chaparral. This low-lying and shrubby community flourishes in arid environments and is regularly seen throughout the hike. Its common constituents include coyote brush, toyon, sticky monkeyflower, bracken fern, coffeeberry, and plenty of poison oak. Valley oak also begins to appear along this section, identified by its 2- to 4-inch deeply lobed leaves.
The trail passes beneath some huge coast live oaks and reaches the junction with wide Cerro Este Rd. (1.7/1,180'). Bear left, make a steady uphill climb on Cerro Este Rd., and then bear right to return to singletrack McCorkle Trail (2.1/1,430'). Traversing steadily across open slopes,
