A strenuous hike offering great views of green rolling hills and the serene San Leandro Reservoir. About half the route is shaded.

Location: Upper San Leandro Reservoir — Redwood Regional Park

» Official Trail Map for Redwood Regional Park: The initial portion of the hike goes through Redwood Regional Park. Also see North section — South section — Text.

» Official EBMUD Trail Map: Good map showing various hiking trails. Rimer Creek Trail was unmaintained in May 2012.

Permit: Access to EBMUD trails requires an EBMUD Permit, which may be bought online.

(A) Canyon Meadow Staging Area To Valle Vista Staging Area (2.3 miles): Follow Canyon Trail (0.5 miles, partly shaded) → left on East Ridge Trail (0.4 miles, unshaded) to reach an EBMUD entrance on your right. Enter the gate and follow Redwood Trail (0.8 miles, shaded throughout, quick descent) to reach the intersection of Pinehurst Road and Canyon Road. Cross Pinehurst Road carefully and look for an EBMUD entrance along Canyon Road, on your right. Follow Redwood Trail (0.6 miles, shaded throughout) to reach a T-junction without signs. Turn left and walk 0.1 miles to reach Valle Vista Staging Area.

(B) Kings Canyon Loop (6.5 miles): In May 2012, Rimer Creek Trail was unmaintained. From Valle Vista Staging Area, follow signs for Kings Canyon Loop. In 0.9 miles, after crossing a bridge, you will reach a fork in the trail. At this point, you may choose whether you wish to follow the Kings Canyon Loop Trail clockwise or anti-clockwise. For anti-clockwise loop, turn right at the fork and continue along Kings Canyon Loop Trail for 3.2 miles to reach Camino Pablo. There is no need to cross the road. Kings Canyon Loop Trail continues for 1.3 miles (fairly steep climb) to reach an intersection with the unmaintained Rimer Creek Trail. Turn left, towards the lake. Within 0.2 miles, you return to the fork in the trail that was encountered earlier. Walk 0.9 miles back to Valle Vista Staging Area.

(C) Valle Vista Staging Area To Canyon Meadow Staging Area (2.3 miles): Follow the route in Section (A) in reverse. Along this route, the climb along Redwood Trail from the intersection of Pinehurst Road and Canyon Road, all the way to East Ridge Trail is fairly steep.

Location: Park Entrance: 0.3 miles away from intersection of Redwood Road & Pinehurst Road in Oakland, CA . No street address. Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: $5 per vehicle (last visited: May 2012)

Capacity: Dozens of cars may be parked inside

Latitude: 37.806750     Longitude: -122.148469