TrailStompers.com: San Francisco Bay Area Trail Running

Garin and Dry Creek Regional Parks are two adjoining parks located in the hills above Hayward.  This park boasts quintessential East Bay hills: green and grassy in the winter, and golden-brown in the summer.  Elevations in the park range from a few hundred feet up to the high point at 1133 feet.  From the high point in the park (along High Ridge Loop Trail) there are nice views of the San Francisco Bay and surrounding cities.  Most of the trails in the park are fire roads, with the exception of the Zeile Creek Trail and Garin Woods Trail at the northern end of Garin.

One word of caution: There is almost no shade here, and it can get very hot in the summer!  Wear sunscreen!  Also, the only water in the park is at the main Visitor Center, so so not forget to bring a water bottle!

Second word of caution: We have noticed several fire roads that branch off from the main trail and are not marked on the map.  Be careful at trail junctions to stay on the correct trail!  It seems to be the case that, if the trail is not marked, it is not the correct trail...

The Dirt:

• For the official website with trail map click here.
• For a printable PDF trail map click here.  (Note: there are usually trail maps available at the entrance kiosk.)
• For driving directions to the main parking lot (Garin Ave) via Google Maps click here.

Extras:

• Drinking water is available only at the Visitor Center.
• There is another trailhead with parking located at the end of May Road (Whipple Ave turns to May after crossing Mission Blvd)
  

This run takes you on a tour of the highest and lowest areas of the park.  Highlights include: Garin Woods Trail (the only shaded singletrack trail in the park!) and the high point along High Ridge Loop Trail.  One nice thing about this run is that the middle of the "figure-8" passes near the Visitor Center, so you can fill up with water.

• 0.0 mi: From the far north end of the parking area, start heading up the Old Homestead Trail.
• 0.3 mi: Turn left onto Vista Peak Loop Trail.  You will follow this trail for the next 1.5 miles.  (Note: Stay left at the next two trail junctions.)
• 1.8 mi: Just past the equestrian building, turn right onto Zeile Creek Trail.
• 2.0 mi: Turn right onto Garin Woods Trail (upper trail).  This is a narrow, shaded singletrack.
  
• 2.4 mi: Unmarked junction: Take the hard switchback to the left to continue on the Garin Woods Trail.
• 2.5 mi: After a brief descent, turn right to continue on the Garin Woods Trail.  This will shortly join up with Zeile Creek Trail again, and you will begin a brief climb.
  
• 3.3 mi: Hard left turn onto Vista Peak Loop Trail.
• 4.1 mi: Turn left onto Vista Peak Loop Trail.
• 4.3 mi: Back on Old Homestead Road.  Turn left and then turn right onto the narrow Newt Pond Trail.  This narrow trail switches back and forth up to the High Ridge Loop Trail (fire road).
• 4.8 mi: Turn left onto High Ridge Loop Trail.  You will follow this trail along the high ridge in the park.
• 6.4 mi: Turn left to take a brief side trip around Gossip Rock.  This is a small lollypop loop.  When you return, turn left to continue down High Ridge Loop Trail.
• 7.8 mi: Confusing unmarked intersection.  Stay right to continue down High Ridge Loop Trail.
• 8.6 mi: Turn right to continue on High Ridge Loop Trail.
• 8.9 mi: Turn right on May Trail.
• 9.1 mi: Brief zig-zag right/left to get onto Ridge Loop Trail.  You will follow this trail all of the way back to the car.
• 10.3 mi: At Jordan Pond.  Continue alongside the pond back to the parking lot.
• 10.6 mi: Back at your car!