Back Mountain Hiking Section - Sunol/Mission Peak Hike

Black Mountain Hiking Section - Sunol/Mission Peak Hike

Date & Time: Saturday February 15, 2025 9:00am - 4:00pm
Level: Strenuous (3C) 10.2 mi, 2100 ft gain
Leader: Kosta Achin - k.x.achin@gmail.com
Meet: Enter Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve (1895 Geary Road, Sunol, CA 94586, GPS coordinates for parking: 37.515887, -121.832111). At the entry kiosk pay $5 (day) parking fee and $2 (annual) Ohlone Wilderness Trail map/permit, which is required for each hiker on our hike. If possible, park on the left near the Visitor Center, our meeting place.
Description: Our out-and-back trek will begin on Ohlone Wilderness Trail, continue on Laurel Loop Trail, at the junction with the Eagle Trail turn left, pass by Eagle Spring Backpack Camp, climb up to a saddle where we will be able to see the SF Bay. Finally, we will take Peak Trail, making a gradual assent to Mission Peak where we will enjoy the views before returning to the less-crowded Eagle Spring Backpack Camp for lunch. A vaulted toilet and water (requiring treatment before drinking) are located there. We will then retrace our steps back to the starting point. Our elevation gain will be steady and modest, except for a handful of steep ascents, with the most noteworthy being about 0.3 mi long with slope ranging from 15-23%. After the hike, we will make use of the picnic area near the visitor center to enjoy refreshments.
Natural History: Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve is the place to go to learn more about the Preserve: its history, its inhabitants, recreation opportunities, events and more. Poison oak, ticks and rattlesnakes make their homes in the park, so learn to identify them and steer clear of them.
Wear/bring: sturdy hiking boots/shoes, 2L water, layered clothing, snacks, lunch, sun protection, basic first aid kit, completed medical form, hiking poles (optional).

Signup Instructions:

1. Signup for this hike via Sierra Club site ONLY (this Meetup site is for people to coordinate carpool amongst themselves. Carpool transportation is at the sole risk of the participants). Hike is limited to 12 individuals.
2. Please provide emergency contact name and phone number as well as your email and phone contact information when you signup.
3. Complete, print and bring with you the required medical form for this backcountry outing. You will show me that the form has been completed and then you will stow it in your own first aid kit. In the event of a medical emergency, the form will be given to first responders, so include information that they should be aware of when providing you with emergency medical treatment.

Join our email distribution list: If you would like to be on our email list to receive our hike announcement and cancellation notice, please sign up here.

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Sierra Club guide for our hike outings: Neither vaccinations nor masks are required. If you are experiencing any COVID symptoms, are sick, or have recently tested positive for COVID do not hike with us on this day. Every participant is responsible for reporting these conditions to the leader if symptoms develop after the hike. We will then notify the other participants.
Cancellation conditions: Any rain