Anthony Chabot to Kennedy Grove (28 mi, 5000+ feet elevation gain)
This is a monster run that takes you on a 28-mile section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. The run is point-to-point, starting at the southern tip of Anthony Chabot Regional Park and ending at Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area. Along the way, you pass through (in order): Anthony Chabot Regional Park, Redwood Regional Park, Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve, Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Tilden Regional Park, Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, and Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area.
This 28-mile section consists of approximately 30% singletrack, 60% fire roads, and 10% paved trail. Although some of the trail is exposed, over half of the trail is wooded and shaded. The views are excellent for much of the run. One important note: do not underestimate the elevation gain along this route! There is over 5000 feet of climbing, with some steep sections. But, the reward is worth the effort.
Even though this run is long and difficult, it can easily be done as a self-supported run (as long as you can arrange a pick-up at Kennedy Grove park). There are at least four water stops along the route, and even though you feel that you are lost in the woods, you are actually never more than a few miles from a road.
The run starts from one of two trailheads. The description here starts at the Chabot Staging Area; however, the run can also start from the Willow Park Public Golf Course parking area, about one mile to the south. If starting from the Chabot Staging Area, start running along the narrow Willow View Trail to intersect the Brandon Trail. If starting from the Willow Park Golf Course, start directly on the Brandon Trail.
To do this run, you'll need the following 5 maps, which can all be downloaded from the East Bay Regional Parks website:
This 28-mile section consists of approximately 30% singletrack, 60% fire roads, and 10% paved trail. Although some of the trail is exposed, over half of the trail is wooded and shaded. The views are excellent for much of the run. One important note: do not underestimate the elevation gain along this route! There is over 5000 feet of climbing, with some steep sections. But, the reward is worth the effort.
Even though this run is long and difficult, it can easily be done as a self-supported run (as long as you can arrange a pick-up at Kennedy Grove park). There are at least four water stops along the route, and even though you feel that you are lost in the woods, you are actually never more than a few miles from a road.
The run starts from one of two trailheads. The description here starts at the Chabot Staging Area; however, the run can also start from the Willow Park Public Golf Course parking area, about one mile to the south. If starting from the Chabot Staging Area, start running along the narrow Willow View Trail to intersect the Brandon Trail. If starting from the Willow Park Golf Course, start directly on the Brandon Trail.
To do this run, you'll need the following 5 maps, which can all be downloaded from the East Bay Regional Parks website:
- Anthony Chabot
- Redwood
- Sibley
- Tilden
- Wildcat Canyon
One word of caution! While most of the trail junctions are marked with the Bay Area Ridge Trail marker (see picture to the right), not all of the turns are marked! This is especially true in the north part of Anthony Chabot Regional Park! (Unfortuantely, I got lost for this reason...) So it is very important to bring a map and confirm the turns and that you are on the correct trail!!
The Dirt:
The Dirt:
- For an overview map of the route click here.
- For directions to the Chabot Staging Area via Google Maps click here.
Extras:
The Run:
- There are water fountains along the route. Refer to the run directions below for exact locations.
- This section of trail is part of a proposed 500+ mile trail that circles the entire Bay Area. For more information, visit the Bay Area Ridge Trail website.
The Run:
- 0.0 mi: If starting from Chabot Staging Area: Start heading up the very narrow Willow View Trail. The trail goes under Redwood Road and then starts climbing. After 1 mile the trail ends on Brandon Trail. Take a right on Brandon Trail, which you will follow for the next 4 miles. If starting from Willow Park Golf Course: Follow signs to the Brandon Trail. You will stay on the Brandon Trail for the next 5 miles.
- 4.9 mi: At the Stone Bridge. Continue straight onto Grass Valley Trail (do not cross the bridge).
- 6.3 mi: At the Bort Meadow Staging Area. Cross the road, then turn right and then left to get onto MacDonald Trail (This junction is confusing, so make sure you're on MacDonald Trail!) Get ready for a climb, then a descent to the MacDonald Staging Area.
- 9.1 mi: At the MacDonald Staging Area. Continue through the parking lot and follow the dirt trail on the other side.
- 9.2 mi: Cross Redwood Road to enter Redwood Regional Park. After about 500 feet, turn right onto Golden Spike Trail.
- 10.0 mi: Turn left onto West Ridge Trail. Get ready for some serious hills!! You will follow the West Ridge Trail for the next 4 miles.
- 12.1 mi: Water available at the Redwood Bowl picnic area. Continue on the West Ridge Trail.
- 14.1 mi: Water available at the Skyline Gate Staging Area. Go through the parking lot, then continue on the East Ridge Trail.
- 14.3 mi: Turn left onto Skyline Trail, heading toward Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve.
- 14.6 mi: Cross Pinehurst Road to enter Huckleberry Preserve. You will stay on the Skyline Trail / Bay Area Ridge Trail for the next 6 miles.
- 15.7 mi: Hard right turn to stay on Skyline Trail. This one is confusing! You will descend to a creek, then start a gradual 1000 ft climb. After a couple of road crossings you will come out at the Sibley Staging Area.
- 17.0 mi: Water available at the Sibley Staging Area. Continue on the well-marked Skyline Trail towards Tilden Park.
- 19.0 mi: Cross Fish Ranch Road. Continue on Skyline Trail.
- 20.4 mi: Cross Lomas Contadas Road. Continue up the driveway into the Steam Trains parking lot. There is water by the bathrooms.
- 20.5 mi: Water available at the Tilden Steam Trains parking lot. Continue up the paved road and veer left onto Vollmer Peak Trail. Take this trail until it ends on the Seaview Trail (fire road).
- 21.1 mi: Turn left onto the Seaview Trail (fire road).
- 23.1 mi: Cross Wildcat Canyon Road and continue on Seaview Trail toward Inspiration Point.
- 23.4 mi: At Inspiration Point! Continue onto the paved Nimitz Way.
- 25.6 mi: Enter Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Continue on Nimitz Way.
- 26.0 mi: Turn right onto the Eagle's Nest Trail (Bay Area Ridge Trail). You will descend sharply.
- 27.0 mi: Cross San Pablo Dam Road, then continue down to Old San Pablo Trail. Turn left and run alongside the reservoir toward Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area.
- 28.0 mi: At Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area!! Your epic run is complete!!
