Upcoming Hikes
The weather is perfect for broom pulling!
Saturday, May 13, 1 to 3 pm
Join Trekkers, El Cerrito Cub Scout Pack 24, and the city’s Green Teams to remove noxious French broom, which chokes out native plants and fuels wildfires. . Broom chokes out native plants, harming habitat as well for wildlife and poses a grave fire danger. The ground will be soft so it will be easy -- and satisfying -- to pull plants out. We will supply tools, gloves and tarps. Bring water and wear sunscreen. No experience necessary! All ages welcome (under 18 with guardian).
Meet at the bottom of Motocycle Hill, near 7255 Blake Street where Blake meets Navellier.
Saturday, May 13, 1 to 3 pm
Join Trekkers, El Cerrito Cub Scout Pack 24, and the city’s Green Teams to remove noxious French broom, which chokes out native plants and fuels wildfires. . Broom chokes out native plants, harming habitat as well for wildlife and poses a grave fire danger. The ground will be soft so it will be easy -- and satisfying -- to pull plants out. We will supply tools, gloves and tarps. Bring water and wear sunscreen. No experience necessary! All ages welcome (under 18 with guardian).
Meet at the bottom of Motocycle Hill, near 7255 Blake Street where Blake meets Navellier.
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Wildcat Workout Hike
Saturday, June 3, 2023, noon to roughly 4:30 p.m. Join Trekkers for a strenuous and often steep hike through Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Dave will discuss a bit of the canyon’s history – explaining why a highway runs through it – but mostly we will walk and talk. Bring snacks and water, dress in layers and wear serious shoes. Meet: at the Rifle Range Road entrance to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park Information: Dave Weinstein, 510-529-5432, davidsweinstein@yahoo.com |
Fog rolled in midway through this 2018 Trekker venture into Wildcat,
and it might do the same in 2023. Photo by Dave Weinstein
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Recent Hikes
Plant walking: A Healing Ritual
April 9 (Easter)
Identify edible and medicinal plants of the El Cerrito Natural Area. Learn interesting stories about how native plants have been used over the centuries and currently, for food, medicine, and crafts by Indigenous People locally and globally (ethnobotany). Gain nourishment and “virtual steps,” increase your connection to nature and motivation to preserve our precious open spaces. Led by Alan Siegel, a volunteer docent at the EBRPD Tilden Botanic Garden.
Meet at the Memorial Grove entrance to the Hillside Natural Area, 7501 Schmidt Lane.
Identify edible and medicinal plants of the El Cerrito Natural Area. Learn interesting stories about how native plants have been used over the centuries and currently, for food, medicine, and crafts by Indigenous People locally and globally (ethnobotany). Gain nourishment and “virtual steps,” increase your connection to nature and motivation to preserve our precious open spaces. Led by Alan Siegel, a volunteer docent at the EBRPD Tilden Botanic Garden.
Meet at the Memorial Grove entrance to the Hillside Natural Area, 7501 Schmidt Lane.
North to South Hike
Sunday, March 26, 9:15 a.m. to about 1 p.m.
Grab your Clipper card and your hiking boots and join us on a north-to-south, flats-to-hills, and back-to-flats El Cerrito ramble. Along the way, we'll discover many parks, hidden paths, and panoramic trails.
The hike is seven strenuous miles with an elevation gain/loss of about 1,200 feet. We’ll climb from the flats to the highest points in the hills, with many ups and downs.
Dress in layers and wear good hiking shoes. Bring poles if you use them, a hat, sunscreen, water, and snacks to fuel up along the way. Restrooms and water refills are available at BART and at a couple of the parks on our route.
This is a one-way, point-to-point hike: We meet at the east side of the El Cerrito Del Norte BART station on the Ohlone Greenway at 9:15 AM and end at El Cerrito Plaza BART station at 1 p.m. The start/end times are set to match the BART schedule. If you need to drive, parking at BART is free on Sundays; but don't forget your Clipper card since you will need to ride one stop back to your car. Well-behaved dogs on leash are permitted.
Grab your Clipper card and your hiking boots and join us on a north-to-south, flats-to-hills, and back-to-flats El Cerrito ramble. Along the way, we'll discover many parks, hidden paths, and panoramic trails.
The hike is seven strenuous miles with an elevation gain/loss of about 1,200 feet. We’ll climb from the flats to the highest points in the hills, with many ups and downs.
Dress in layers and wear good hiking shoes. Bring poles if you use them, a hat, sunscreen, water, and snacks to fuel up along the way. Restrooms and water refills are available at BART and at a couple of the parks on our route.
This is a one-way, point-to-point hike: We meet at the east side of the El Cerrito Del Norte BART station on the Ohlone Greenway at 9:15 AM and end at El Cerrito Plaza BART station at 1 p.m. The start/end times are set to match the BART schedule. If you need to drive, parking at BART is free on Sundays; but don't forget your Clipper card since you will need to ride one stop back to your car. Well-behaved dogs on leash are permitted.
Arbor Week Tree Walk
Saturday, March 11, 3 p.m.
Join City Arborist Stephen Prée on a leisurely tree talk and walk up Canyon Trail Park. This is an easy hike (with a steep section) that will focus on both native and exotic trees in Canyon Trail Park. This event is co-sponsored and organized by the city’s Urban Forest Committee. Learn how to differentiate certain native species from invasive ones, discover how they provide habitat in our city, and hear about management strategies.
Meet at the west end of Canyon Trail Park at Conlon Avenue, for a gentle uphill walk, at . The walk will take about an hour and a half. The path is steep.
Join City Arborist Stephen Prée on a leisurely tree talk and walk up Canyon Trail Park. This is an easy hike (with a steep section) that will focus on both native and exotic trees in Canyon Trail Park. This event is co-sponsored and organized by the city’s Urban Forest Committee. Learn how to differentiate certain native species from invasive ones, discover how they provide habitat in our city, and hear about management strategies.
Meet at the west end of Canyon Trail Park at Conlon Avenue, for a gentle uphill walk, at . The walk will take about an hour and a half. The path is steep.
Peeks at CreeksSaturday, February 25, 2023, 10AM to 12 noon
Many creeks in El Cerrito are covered, but you can find peeks of exposed portions. This walk visits a selection of these special places along three creek watersheds. Walk leaders Barbara Lass and Wade Huntley share how they have used local maps to follow buried creek beds, hunt for the signs of the creeks, and learn about the creeks' natural history. Meet: Eureka Ave. between Albemarle St. and Clayton Ave. This hike takes place rain or shine -- but root for rain! On the right: photos from the hike...
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Barbara Lass discussing creeks at Huber Park entrance. (Photo: Wade Huntley)
Creek crossing Balra Dr. (Photo: Wade Huntley)
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