SHELL RIDGE OPEN SPACE & DIABLO STATE PARK LOOP
Hike Date: Saturday, March 5, 2022
Leader: Ron Gasparinetti
Leader Email: ron@sfhiking.com
Leader Phone: 650 759-5345
Meeting Location (ONLY IF you've arranged for a ride in SF): Whole Foods;
2001 Market St. @ Dolores (on the Dolores St. side); parking on the street or below.
Please only show up at Whole Foods if you've arranged to meet your ride or driver there.
Meeting Time: 8:30 AM
Departure Time: Shortly after 8:30 AM
Rating: Level 5
Mileage: 12.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2150'
Description: Shell Ridge is located in the heart of Walnut Creek beginning just a short distance from downtown and continuing all the way to Mount Diablo. It is the city’s largest open space area and is made up a series of parallel ridges and valleys. Shell Ridge gets it name from the marine fossils left behind when the ocean waters that once covered it receded. Shell Ridge is also home to the Borges Ranch, a historic cattle ranch; and Howe Homestead Park, the former home and orchard of James P Howe of the Associated Press. The hike is mostly exposed and is mainly on fire roads. Mt. Diablo will loom over us for almost the entire hike. We'll start out on the Briones to Mt. Diablo Trail with a gentle ascent to the China Wall rock formation and continue on through rolling lush green hills until we hit Stage Rd. We'll make a small side trip to view Castle Rock, a peregrine falcon nesting area and watch from a distance as these beautiful birds soar over the valley below. Rejoining the Stage Rd.Trail, we'll take a lunch break along Pine Creek and then continue on Stage Rd. with views of the intriguing geology along the way including Castle Rock; only this time we'll be at the bottom looking up. We'll ascend the Costanoan Trail to finally reach Ridge Top Trail and walk along the relatively narrow Shell Ridge dropping down to end the hike at the cars.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED A RIDE AND/OR CAN TAKE A PASSENGER, AND WHAT YOUR COMFORT LEVEL IS REGARDING PASSENGERS.
Bring / Wear: Please bring LOTS of water, lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes. A majority of this hike is exposed with little shade. Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses are recommended. Dogs are not permitted
Weather Policy: Hike will occur rain or shine.
Alternate Meeting Place #1: The Marshall Drive entrance to Shell Ridge Open Space. There is lots of parking on both sides of this street. There is also a high turnover rate so if you can't find a spot wait a few minutes and one should open up. From SF, cross the Bay Bridge, join up with Rt 24 and exit at Ygnacio Valley Rd. Turn right onto Marshall Dr. and continue until the end. We'll meet at the dead end of the street.
Google Maps Link
Alternate Meeting Time: 9:15 AM
Alternate Meeting Departure Time: 9:30 AM
Total driving distance from SF, there and back: 54
Passenger Carpool Fees including Bridge Toll: $9
Level-1
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Level-2
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Level-3 |
Level-4 |
Level-5 |
|
easiest
< 5 miles
< 500' gain
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moderately easy
5-7 miles
< 1000' gain |
moderate
7-9 miles
< 1500' gain
|
strenuous
9-12 miles
< 2000' gain
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very strenuous
12-15+ miles
>2000' gain |
