Lafayette, CA: Northern California Chapter, Briones Park Hike

We’re going to one of the grandest regional parks in the East Bay. Briones Park is a wonderland of rolling hills and oak woodlands, and in April it should be lushly green, with carpets of wildflowers and lovely vistas to Mt. Diablo and the east.

We’ll start at the Bear Creek Staging Area, then leave the crowds behind as we head up through the woods and along a stream on the Abrigo Valley Trail. Emerging at the ridge, we’ll follow the Briones Crest Trail for several miles to our lunch spot near Briones Peak. After lunch, we’ll wind down in a big loop back to our starting point.

Schedule: Meet at 9:15 AM in the first parking lot you’ll come to, directly after the (usually unstaffed) parking kiosk at the Bear Creek entrance to the park, off Bear Creek Road in Lafayette. We’ll have lunch on the trail and should arrive back to our starting point by 3:30 PM.

Level of Difficulty: This is a fairly strenuous hike. About 8.0 miles and 1,400 feet total elevation gain. It’s all dirt trails, mostly wide and smooth, but some narrower sections on the ascent and descent, which could be muddy if there’s been recent rain.

This hike is not suitable for those who are new to hiking or have not been training regularly. To participate, you must have recent experience completing hikes of similar distance and elevation and be able to sustain a consistent pace of 2.5 mph. Participants who are unable to keep up may be asked to turn back in order to prioritize the safety and cohesion of the group.

If you’re not at this fitness level yet, please do not sign up. Instead, focus on building your endurance on your own with less demanding hikes or on our monthly Lake Merritt walks.

Advance online registration is required. Click the Register Now button below to sign up. Every participant must sign up online. No drop-ins permitted. Because space is limited, we ask that you register if/when you are certain you can attend. Thank you!

Cancellation: Please email us at norcal@americanpilgrims.org so we can offer your space to someone else.

Getting There: Briones is a big park with many different staging areas. You’re heading for the Bear Creek staging area, which is off Bear Creek Road in Lafayette. From Route 24, take the Orinda exit and then follow Camino Pablo north for 2.6 miles. Turn right onto Bear Creek Road, follow that for 4.4 miles, then turn right into the park at Briones Road. At the parking kiosk, make a hard left into the parking lot and our meetup point. If you’re coming from Berkeley, you’ll probably find it faster to go through Tilden Park, following Wildcat Canyon Road past Inspiration Point and then down to its eastern terminus at Camino Pablo, where Bear Creek Road begins. Google Maps knows everything.

Carpooling: On the registration form is a link to an online “Carpool Bulletin Board” to post a message if you need a ride or can give one.

What to Bring: Dress for the weather. Could be cool in the woods but most of the trail is open and exposed, and the sun, even in April can be fierce. So bring plenty of water and sun screen. There’s some steepish sections, so bring poles if you use them. Note that the only human-made toilet is at the beginning of the hike, so you may want to limit your coffee intake before setting out. Plenty of possibilities for bio-breaks.

Leader: Andy Cohn

The Ruff Stuff: For insurance purposes, we are unable to welcome dogs, except service animals, at our events.