Morgan Territory Regional Preserve 2016-04-05

Our second trip to Morgan Territory Regional Preserve was a marked contrast from the previous one in January. A picture perfect spring day with not a cloud in the sky set the backdrop for our hike from the same staging area located on Morgan Territory Rd - from Hwy 580, take N Livermore Rd exit, travel north, turn right on Morgan Territory Rd and follow the one lane county road to the parking lot.

We started our hike by Clyma trail at the northwest end of the parking lot. The trail crosses Morgan Territory Rd and continues by a creek for a brief while before opening up. Clyma trail is a fire road, a wide dirt trail. The ground was dry with light grass cover in some stretches, uneven with cattle foot prints dried in the mud on others. 

Pond, Clyma trail

Nearly 2.5 miles long, Clyma trail moves predominantly through rolling green hills with excellent views all around. The trail gains couple of hundred feet in elevation for the first mile or so and then slopes down rest of the way. Along the way, the trail curves around a cattle pond that was full from the recent rains.

Clyma trail

Clyma trail also offers respite from the open every now, especially when it crosses the creek which it does twice. At the junction with Highland Ridge trail, we kept right. Turning left will lead you to more expansive region on the west side of the Regional Preserve. Highland Ridge trail is quite similar to Clyma trail in that it is also wide fire road.

Highland Ridge trail

The trail gradually descends and crosses Morgan Territory Rd back into east side of the park. From here, for the next mile or so, Highland Ridge trail ascends steadily gaining more than 400 feet. Apollo had to go back on leash for much of this section with plenty of cattle out grazing. 

Highland Ridge trail

As steadily as it ascended, the trail also unfolded fine views of the hills around, which were filled with lush green grass cover. At several spots, you will find one or two trees standing amidst this open landscape providing excellent contrast against the spotless azure sky.

We turned right at the next intersection with Eagle trail, walked a short stretch by it before turning left on Volvon Loop trail. Volvon Loop goes around Bob Walker ridge and it marked the high point of this hike, if I am forced to single out one section for its beauty. 

Bob Walker Ridge

The climb had leveled off, the ridge was expansive, the grass lush green which was also covered with purple and yellow wildflowers. The sight was simply amazing and Apollo had a field day running through the grassland to his hearts content.

If the views of Bob Walker ridge weren't enough, as Volvon Loop trail turned around, the hills on the left and Livermore valley on the right offered even impressive views. We turned left at the next junction, taking Valley View trail. As the name suggests, the trail offers excellent views of the Livermore valley. In the distance, you will also be able to see the Altamont pass, the wind turbines and Los Vasqueros reservoir.

We walked by an interesting section in Valley View trail. As it comes to a cattle pond on the left, there was a significant water body on the right side as well giving me the feeling that the trail cuts across a pond. This was the only muddy section we had to negotiate today.

Volvon trail

At the next junction, we turned left onto Volvon trail. The next mile of our hike was by Volvon trail. As with all the previous ones, this is also a wide dirt trail, the only difference being there were several rocky patches. This trail also runs parallel to Blue Oak trail that we hiked by last time.

Condor trail

To wrap up our hike, we turned right by Condor trail. A single track hiking only trail, the 1/2 mile section we did in Condor provided some variety to the otherwise fire road style trails all through. Condor trail comes around yet another cattle pond before reaching the trail head in the parking lot.

Our hike today was essentially a larger 8 mile outer loop of the park compared to the previous 5 mile hike in January. Along the way, we had climbed around 1300 feet with couple of steep stretches by Valley View and Highland Ridge trails.


More pictures from our hike.
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