Fremont, CA: Northern California Chapter, Coyote Hills Hike

Let’s kick off the year by heading south for a hike around Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. This park sits along the shore of the East Bay and encompasses over 1,200 acres of marshland and rolling grassland covered hills. It’s popular year round for bicycling, walking, birdwatching, jogging and nature exploration. And the human history is long and varied starting with the ancestors of the Tuibun Ohlone tribe who hunted and gathered in the area and also includes includes Mission and settler ranching and farming activities, salt production, rock quarrying and a NIKE missile site! Our hike includes a loop around the Alameda Creek, Shoreline and No Name Trails and a visit across Highway 84 to the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Schedule: Meet us at 9:00 AM for sign-in and briefing in front of the visitor center inside the park. We’ll stop for lunch at the San Francisco Bay NWR Complex and expect to arrive back at the visitor center by 3:00 PM.

Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Although mostly flat, there is a total elevation gain of 259 feet and total distance of about 12 miles (8 miles along the SF Bay Trail).

Advance online registration is required. Click the Register button to sign up by Thursday, January 13. Because space is limited, please register if/when you are certain you can attend. If later you are unable to attend, contact us as soon as possible at norcal@americanpilgrims.org.

Getting There: The park is located at 8000 Patterson Ranch Road in Fremont. From I-880, take Highway 84 west, exit at Paseo Padre Parkway, turn right and drive north about one mile. Turn left on Patterson Ranch Road. This is the park’s entrance road and will take you to the parking lot (30 spaces) at the visitor center (restrooms available). There is a $5 parking fee payable with cash or credit card at the park entrance kiosk.

NOTE: If the parking lot in front of the visitor center is full, go back and park at the Quarry Staging Area (115 spaces). Due to the park’s popularity, arrive early to secure a parking spot. The park opens at 8:00 AM.

Carpooling: Registered participants will have access to our online “Carpool Bulletin Board” to post a message if they need a ride or can give one.

What to Bring: A bag lunch, snacks, water and rain gear, if weather calls for it. Hiking poles would be helpful, but not necessary. If you’re a birdwatcher, bring your binoculars.

Leader: Guy Joaquin (Chapter Coordinator)

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