Ohlone Wilderness Trail - Sunol to Del Valle (19.8 mi, ~4800' elevation gain)
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The Ohlone Wilderness Trail is a challenging route that traverses 28 miles of spectacular mountains and canyons in southern Alameda County, connecting Mission Peak Regional Preserve in Fremont to Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore. Along the way, the trail passes through Sunol Regional Wilderness and Ohlone Wilderness, in addition to two watershed areas leased from the San Francisco Water Department. The trail passes near two notable Bay Area peaks: Mission Peak (2517') and Rose Peak (3817'). It also passes near Murietta Falls which, at 100', is the Bay Area's tallest waterfall; however, it only flows in the winter after periods of heavy rainfall.
If you're up for the challenge, you can run the entire 28 miles from Fremont to Livermore, racking up over 6500' of climbing. A slightly shorter alternative is the route as described here, starting in Sunol Regional Wilderness at mile 8 of the trail, and ending at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore, a total distance of approximately 20 miles with about 4800' of climbing. The route is a point-to-point route, which means that you need to arrange a drop-off at Sunol Regional Wilderness and a pick-up at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore. |
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The entire route follows the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, which is well-marked and easy to follow. The trail is indicated by round leaf symbols as shown to the left. The Ohlone Wilderness Trail is actually a continuous route made up of different trails, so trails will often have other names in addition to "Ohlone Wilderness Trail." Most trail marker posts also have numbers on them. These numbers are labeled on the trail map, making it easy to identify your location.
This is a beautiful but very challenging route, with almost no shade and a lot of elevation gain. At certain times of the year there is water available at campsites along the way; however, be sure to check the park website to confirm the status before you go. The water is not treated, so you should filter the water before drinking! This route is best attempted in the late fall, winter, or early spring before the weather gets scalding hot! Late February, March, and early April are particularly good months for this route since the weather is often cool and the wildflowers are in bloom.
This is a beautiful but very challenging route, with almost no shade and a lot of elevation gain. At certain times of the year there is water available at campsites along the way; however, be sure to check the park website to confirm the status before you go. The water is not treated, so you should filter the water before drinking! This route is best attempted in the late fall, winter, or early spring before the weather gets scalding hot! Late February, March, and early April are particularly good months for this route since the weather is often cool and the wildflowers are in bloom.
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The Dirt:
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Extras:
- The Ohlone Wilderness Trail ends at Del Valle Regional Park which features a large lake with a swimming beach, ideal for soaking your tired muscles after the run!
- The Ohlone Wilderness Trail is the route for the annual Ohlone 50k trail race.
Route Details:
- 0.0 mi: From the Visitor Center, cross the foot bridge over Alameda Creek, and turn right onto Canyon View Trail (following the Ohlone Wilderness Trail). Soon the Canyon View Trail will start climbing steeply. You will follow the Ohlone Wilderness Trail for the next 9.5 miles all of the way to Rose Peak.
- 0.7 mi: (Marker 15) Turn left on McCorkle Trail to continue on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail.
- 1.6 mi: (Marker 17) Turn left on Cerro Este Road to continue on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail.
- 2.0 mi: (Marker 18) Turn right on McCorkle Trail singletrack to continue on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail. Enjoy the next mile, it is one of the few downhill sections on the climb up to Rose Peak!
- 3.3 mi: (Marker 19) Continue through the gate into the Sunol Regional Wilderness. Continue following the Ohlone Wilderness Trail through the camp.
- 3.7 mi: Go through the gate into the SF Water District land.
- 5.2 mi: (Marker 20) Veer left onto the dirt road to continue on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail.
- 5.4 mi: (Marker 21) Veer right onto the singletrack to continue on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail.
- 5.8 mi: (Marker 22) Cross over the dirt road to continue on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail.
- 7.0 mi: (Marker 23) Turn left to continue on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail. Take note of this intersection, as this is where the route splits on the return trip.
- 7.3 mi: (Marker 24) Turn right to continue on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail.
- 7.6 mi: (Marker 25) Turn left to continue on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail. There is a brief but steep downhill, followed by a steep uphill section.
- 8.8 mi: (Marker 26) Stay right at Doe Canyon Camp Spur.
- 9.2 mi: (Marker 27) At this point the peak is in sight! Veer left towards the peak.
- 9.4 mi (WATER AVAILABLE): (Marker 28) Veer left toward Maggie's Half Acre and descend for 0.25 miles to the water pump. The water is untreated and must be filtered! After filling up, climb 0.25 miles back up to Marker 28.
- 9.9 mi: (Marker 28) When you hit Marker 28 again, turn left and continue climbing to the peak. In 0.2 miles you'll see a small trail heading off to your left to reach the actual peak.
- 10.2 mi: At 3,817' Rose Peak! Enjoy the view, sign the small notebook in the black tube, then continue on the small trail down the other side of the summit. When you intersect the main trail, veer left to continue heading toward Del Valle.
- 10.7 mi: (Marker 29) Veer right.
- 11.0 mi: (Marker 30) Veer left and start the descent to North Fork Indian Creek. After crossing the creek you will climb again.
- 11.9 mi: (Marker 31) Veer right.
- 12.9 mi: (Marker 32) Veer left.
- 13.4 mi: (Marker 33) Veer right at Greenside Road. Note: Turning left here will take you to Stewart's Camp and Murietta Falls. This side trip can be done as a loop that intersects the Ohlone Wilderness Trail again at Marker 35 (check out the map for details). This side trip adds about 0.7 miles and 300' of climbing.
- 13.7 mi: (Marker 34) Veer left.
- 14.6 mi: (Marker 35) Veer right at Johnny's Pond.
- 15.0 mi: (Marker 36) Veer right and start descending (finally!).
- 15.3 mi: Pass Schlieper Rock on your right. There is a nice view from the top of the rock. After checking out the view, return to the trail and start a steep descent on the Big Burn. The trail soon turns to singletrack.
- 16.5 mi: Cross Williams Gulch, then start the steep 400' climb to Rocky Ridge. The trail turns into a dirt road.
- 17.2 mi: (Marker 37) Veer left.
- 17.5 mi: (Marker 38) At the top of the climb to Rocky Ridge! Veer right and continue through Boyd Camps.
- 17.7 mi (WATER AVAILABLE): Turn left down the small singletrack toward Stromer Spring. Continue about 0.2 miles down to the spring. The water is untreated and must be filtered! After filling up, turn right and head up Stromer Spring Road for a brief climb back up to the Ohlone Wilderness Trail.
- 18.0 mi: (Marker 39) Back at the Ohlone Wilderness Trail. Turn left toward Del Valle.
- 18.8 mi: (Marker 40) Pass the Ohlone Wilderness sign-in panel. There is a short climb, then it's downhill to Del Valle!
- 19.8 mi: Exit into the Del Valle Parking lot!!! You made it!! Time for a swim in Lake Del Valle!
The view from Schlieper Rock (mile 15.3)