The Best thing about living in East Oakland

Ok so in my zipcode there are the drug dealers, the drive-bys, the carjackings, the restaurant holdups, sketchy and overpriced gas stations, nowhere really good to go eat, and few pizza delivery places.

But.

Just at the top of the hill at the end of Skyline is Chabot park. I love this place. So many beautiful hikes, bike rides, vistas, and places to chill.



Like under a redwood tree in Bort Meadow after a mountain bike ride with my 4 wheel drive buddy.

again a hike

Late Monday in the East Bay on nice uncrowded trails that's just about the best.

I parked at the Chabot Equestrian Center and walked down Horseshoe to Brandon to the Bort Meadow/Big Trees campground. That is such a cool place. I mean you can find a spot in the redwoods and just sit. The longer you sit the more you hear and see. Yes you can camp there, and many do.

After a little break I headed up narrow and steep Buckeye, crossing some bridges and climbing the steps to Goldenrod.

From there it was left and back to the trail head at the horse stables.

About 2 miles and around 1 hour.

iPod:

Roseanne Cash Interiors

Strung Out Live In A Dive

A good quiet relaxing hike and a whacked out mix of music, as usual!

I love my Cabelas boots. By now they are really broken in. You can pay way too much and buy "hiking" boots at REI etc, but I'd say get some "upland hunting boots." They are perfect for the trails around here. And then when you go hunting you and your boots are in shape. Oh you don't hunt? Well you'll still have great boots.

check em out

Mine are actually these hunting boots. They have over 100 reviews by users and a 4.6 out of 5 average review.

Bird season starts soon. I'll be ready.

a hike

Hey Yo

It was a little warm today, not as hot as it had been in the Easy Bay, but a little warm. I waited until late in the afternoon and took a nice 4 mile hike on a bee you tee full trail in Chabot.

You park at the south end of (Oakland's) Skyline blvd where it turns into Grass Valley. That is the Clyde Woolridge staging area. Grab a map there if you don't know the area, and head down the hill to the left of the parking lot on Jackson Glade.

At the bottom is a big intersection of trails. Take the narrow trail just behind the bench, the Cascade trail. It follows Grass Valley Creek. It cal flow pretty good in the rainy season, and is has some pretty cool views from the trail to the creek. Now of course it is dry. All of the trail is in the shade so it is perfect for a hot day. Dogs are ok off leash, but no bikes allowed.

It is pretty flat for most of the trail, after a downhill section the trail is right next to and really becomes one with the creek. You'll get a little wet if you go this far in the winter.

Stay on the trail and you end up at Lake Chabot. Keep going to the Bass Cove area where you find a pit toilet, and some nice views.

There are a few different ways to get back, I just doubled back. A few hours, and a few miles in the east bay trails.

Cool.

On the iPod for the hike:

Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys

IIIrd Tyme Out

Man or Astroman

Mighty Mighty Bosstones