Ed Levin to Mission Peak: 13.4 Mi Difficult Hike
Details
WAIVER: For us to hold our large events at local parks, the local parks require us to carry insurance for our events. To participate in our events, please sign this waiver (required by our insurance underwriter) for each event. Please do so online prior to arriving (works on mobile):
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/
CARPOOL REQUEST COMMENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED DUE TO THE LARGE SIZE OF THE GROUP. Please read below how to carpool.
Level: Difficult
Ascent: 2881 ft
Distance: 13.4 miles
Time: 7 hours
Official Trail use: No Dogs.
Parking fee: $6
Shade: Don't forget your sunhat for your own personal shade. Shade does not matter if you have your sunhat. I never leave home without it.
Facilities There are water and a toilet near the trail head, which is on the east side of the parking area.
PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO GO BEFORE YOU ARRIVE SO WE CAN START ON TIME.
Recommended Maps:
Ed Levin:
http://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Documents/EdLevinGuideMap.pdf
Mission Peak:
http://www.ebparks.org/Assets/_Nav_Categories/Parks/Maps/Mission+Peak+map.pdf
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
• Please use the Google Maps link above to familiarize yourself with the trip and explore various route options from your home. Zoom in all the way.
• The GPS locations below and the map link above are accurate enough to find us by looking around with your eyes when you get there.
(Most Cars) GPS Degrees Minutes Seconds Format:
37°27'27.6"N 121°51'47.9"W
(Google Maps) GPS Degrees Decimal Format:
37.457660,-121.863312
• As always, it is good practice to confirm the night before that any app you use takes you to where you expect by comparing the destination with what is posted above on your PC/Mac.
• Most street addresses provided are approximate, and may be up to a couple of miles from the hike location. Use GPS coordinates when driving, if possible.
Parking:
Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to find parking, and walk to the trail head.
Carpooling: We will use this link for carpooling:
Please sign up here.
https://groupcarpool.com/t/b9avts
CARPOOLING MANNERS:
Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone.
Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above.
Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately.
Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All".
Thank you for understanding.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Explore the high ground on the border of Alameda and Santa Clara counties via this aerobic route, which uses the Tularcitos, Agua Caliente, and Monument Peak trails, and you will be rewarded with great views and the chance to spot aerial hunters such as hawks, falcons , and even golden eagles. Open grasslands dominate here, but you also cross wooded canyons holding Calera and Scott creeks.
FACILITIES/ TRAILHEAD:
There are picnic tables, restrooms, and water beside the parking area. There is a phone beside a locked gate about 0.3 mile back on Downing Road. The trailhead is at the end of Downing Road, about 100 yards northeast of the parking area.
HIKING DIRECTIONS:
Phase 1: Upward Climb (Tularcitos & Agua Caliente Trails)
Trailhead Start: Park at the Ed R. Levin lot next to the off-leash dog park. Find the gate marking the start of the Tularcitos Trail.
Transition to Agua Caliente: Hike just 0.2 miles up Tularcitos, then pass through the gate on your left onto the Agua Caliente Trail.
The Scenic Switchbacks: Follow Agua Caliente as it winds steadily uphill. You'll cross over a few dirt ranch roads and pass the hang-glider launch zones. This segment offers narrower paths and occasional oak tree shade pockets compared to the main fire road.
Junction to the Peak: After gaining about 900 vertical feet, Agua Caliente intersects with the upper Monument Peak Trail fire road. Cross the road near the cattle water trough and head up the final pitch to the 2,594-foot summit of Monument Peak.
Phase 2: The Ridgeline Traverse to Mission Peak
Bay Area Ridge Trail: From the communication towers at Monument Peak, head north along the high, rolling ridgeline following the Bay Area Ridge Trail markers.
Cross into Mission Peak Preserve: Walk the panoramic, mostly flat grassland ridge as you cross the county line into Mission Peak Regional Preserve.
The Summit Pole: Push up the final rocky incline to reach the Mission Peak Summit and the iconic "Mission Peeker" pole.
Phase 3: The Descending Loop (Monument Peak Trail)
Head South: Turn around from the summit and retrace your steps south along the high ridge toward Monument Peak.
Descend via Monument Peak Trail: Instead of dropping back down the narrow Agua Caliente trail switchbacks, stay on the wide, gravel ranch fire road designated entirely as the Monument Peak Trail.
Direct Return: Follow this broad, completely unshaded fire road all the way down the face of the mountain. It will drop you directly back to the Sandy Wool Lake staging area and the d
og park where you parked.
PLEASE READ THE EVENT DESCRIPTION ABOVE BEFORE POSTING A MESSAGE.