Sunol Regional Wilderness

Sunol Wilderness

- Several day hikes in the Sunol Wilderness.

TIPS

• Bring lots of water! Typically I bring two liters in my Camelbak (or two liters for me and Pepper). I have seen a water jug put out at the trailhead, but I don't think there is drinkable water there in general.
• Wear comfortable trail shoes (like tennis shoes/ sneakers). Trails are nice but are in varied condition.
• If you start in the morning, bring layers. It can be chilly and foggy to start and then burn off into very warm sun.
• There can be many small trails that split off a main trail, so just be careful you are heading the way you want to go and have a good map.
• Be prepared to see cows. They can be near or on the trail.

HIKE 4

Skip to the route recap

Radiant bush

Who is a good hiking partner?

Sunol Wilderness

Ridge by Maguire Peak

Pepper and me under a chestnut tree

Ridgeline view

Maguire Peak

Route map of Hike 4
Gaia GPS | © OpenStreetMap Contributors

HIKE 3

Skip to the route recap

Old oak on the hill

Me and Pepper at the W Tree

Changing light

Pepper blazing ahead

Sunol selfie

Hike 3 Highlights

• Went for a hike into the Ohlone Wilderness (bought a pass good for one year at the entrance gate) towards Goat Rock.
• Saw Little Yosemite (which was VERY crowded), the W Tree and several red bellied newts.
• Beautiful wildflowers and only a few cows!

Route map of Hike 3
Gaia GPS | © OpenStreetMap Contributors

HIKE 2

Skip to the route recap

Lone tree blossoming in the meadow

Summit of Flag Hill

View of the hills by Vista Grande

Vista Grande and the Calaveras Reservoir

Lupine in the hills

Summit Selfie on Flag Hill

Hike 2 Highlights

• Steep climb up to the peak of Flag Hill with a broad, spectacular summit.
• Lush green hills with plenty of wildflowers.
• Cave rocks along Indian Joe Creek were very cool.
• So many cows! Stopped by them at one point heading back to the trailhead.

Route map of Hike 2
Gaia GPS | © OpenStreetMap Contributors

HIKE 1

Skip to the route recap

Pepper looking back along the trail

Green hills and fog

Pepper is a great hiking partner

Off we go

Hike 1 Highlights

• Long, rolling hike through the hills towards Ohlone Wilderness. Lots of interesting features, hills and views.
• Very green with off and on showers.
• Didn't see many people, other than near the trailhead, just a lot of cows.
• Trails were not well signed.

RECAP

• Location: Hike towards Goat Rock and backpacking camp sites, Sunol Regional Wilderness.
• Date: January 2022.
• Stats: 8 total mileage with 2,400+ ft elevation gain
• Why I chose this trip: I had seen that the Ohlone Wilderness trail made its way from Lake Del Valle to Mission Peak and the route was dog friendly. The Sunol trailhead was closer, so I figured I would explore. I had a goal of heading as close to Mt Rose, the highpoint, as possible. Super fun!

Route map of Hike 1
Gaia GPS | © OpenStreetMap Contributors

Trailhead

Glad I went!