Upcoming Hikes
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Missile March
Saturday, October 7, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Including one hour lunch break at site In the 1950s and 1960s, two dozen Nike anti-aircraft missile sites crowned Bay Area hilltops. Join this hike to the remains of one such site in El Cerrito’s backyard, on San Pablo Ridge in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. At the site, hike leaders Wade Huntley (international security specialist) and Barbara Lass (archaeologist) will provide short presentations on the history, nuclear capability and archaeology of the Nike program and the site complex. No actual marching required!
Meet at Rifle Range Road trailhead to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park The hike from the trailhead includes a descent (apx. 300 feet) into Wildcat Canyon and then a climb (apx. 700 feet) to the site on the ridge top. The round trip back to the trailhead covers a bit under five miles. |
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Edible and Medicinal Native Plants
Sunday, September 24, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Join our always popular Edible and Medicinal Native Plants Walk, led by Alan Siegel, a volunteer docent with the East Bay Regional Park District’s Tilden Botanic Garden. Alan will teach us to identify edible and medicinal plants in the El Cerrito Hillside Natural Area.
We will learn interesting stories about how native plants have been used over the centuries and currently for food, medicine, and crafts by Indigenous peoples and cultures world-wide. A fall harvest theme with some focus on acorns, nuts, and berries. Meet: Schmidt Lane trailhead of the Hillside Natural Area, near 7501 Schmidt Lane. Some sections are steep |
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Recent Hikes
Fine Homes and Lost Trails
Sunday, August 6, 1:00 to 3:30 pm.
Sunday, August 6, 1:00 to 3:30 pm.
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Join Dave Weinstein of El Cerrito Trail Trekkers for a vigorous and at times steep hike to see some of El Cerrito's most unusual, largest and most beautiful homes in a wide variety of styles.
Enjoy some of the city's hidden pathways and see pathways that are impassable -- for now. Learn about Trail Trekkers' plans to restore hillside trails and enhance urban trails. Meet at the Northwest corner of Moeser Lane and Shevlin Drive. Best to park on Shevlin. Like all of our hikes, this is free! |
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Hidden Poetry Hike: California Poets Laureate
Sunday, July 16, 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the Memorial Grove entrance to the Hillside Natural Area on Schmidt Avenue.
Sunday, July 16, 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the Memorial Grove entrance to the Hillside Natural Area on Schmidt Avenue.
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Join Jenny Hammer for a poetic treasure hunt as we ramble through nature and search for hidden poems in El Cerrito. Learn about notable California poets and read a selected poem from each.
Coordinates of the cached poetry will be provided at the beginning of the hike and are available on the Trekkers website. Bring a GPS device if you have one, or use the GPS on your phone, but neither is necessary. Be prepared to read aloud! Dogs (on leash) are welcome. The Hillside Natural Area has steep grades and eucalyptus “ball bearings” in places, so wear appropriate footwear. Panoramic views are a bonus! Questions? jhammer13@earthlink.net or (510) 283-3755 |
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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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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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