Las Trampas Regional Wilderness 2015-12-07

Las Trampas Regional Wilderness is a large park, offering miles of trails and commanding views of the landscape around it, including the impressive Mt. Diablo. I had parked in the Bollinger Canyon Staging Area that can be reached by taking Crow Canyon Rd exit from Hwy 680 / 580 and going north on Bollinger Canyon Rd all the way to the end.  

Elderberry trail

Our entire hike was blanketed by a thick fog today that barely budged until the very end. The commanding views from the ridge top eluded me today, but instead, I got to experience a hike with just few feet of visibility much of the way.

We started our hike in Elderberry trail, heading south. The dirt trail ascends gradually pretty much all the way until it hits the Rocky Ridge View trail. While the air was very damp and it had not rained in the last couple of days. I couldn't quite figure out why Elderberry trail was wet and muddy today. 

California Newt

Whatever the reason, the 1.5+ mile stretch by Elderberry trail was tricky to climb. There were several spots it was difficult to get a good foot holding, especially in sections that involved a slightly steep climb. 

I got to see several California Newts in this trail. Moving laboriously, these orange bellied lizard like creatures are actually semi-aquatic amphibians belonging to the salamander family.

Mt. Diablo

Reaching the Rocky Ridge View trail, we turned right started heading north. As the name suggests, this trail is on top of a ridge. The thick fog continued to hamper any views I may have had from this trail, although I could make out Mt. Diablo trying to stand tall and the weak winter sun attempting to clear the air of the fog.

Rocky Ridge View trail

Passing up on checking out the south-west corner of the park - didn't feel like walking the Devil's Hole trail today with the low visibility, we continued on Rocky Ridge View trail. Traversing the ridge top, this trail does ascend some, but quite gradually.

Much of the way, Rocky Ridge View trail runs parallel to Rocky Ridge Loop trail that is on the other side of a wire fence. It is possible to hike that trail with permission from EBMUD although dogs are not allowed there. 

Just as we started descending, the sun started getting an upper hand with the fog. Rocky Ridge View trail reaches a point from where there are two trails running in parallel that would take you back to the staging area. One of them is a paved black top trail and the other a dirt trail.

Having walked in thick mud much of the way, I decided to take the black top trail. We gave up the 1000+ feet elevation we had gained quite rapidly over the next mile or so as the black top trail winds around the mountains leading us to the staging area.

We did nearly 5 1/2 miles today, although the progress was slow due to the trail conditions. Las Trampas is a park we most certainly will visit again, the park has more areas that should be explored, perhaps when I can see more than few feet ahead.

More pictures from our hike.
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