Sycamore Grove LARPD: 7.3 mi Moderate hike
Details
SIGN WAIVER HERE: https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/
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)
CARPOOL REQUEST COMMENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED DUE TO THE LARGE SIZE OF THE GROUP. Please read below how to carpool.
LENGTH: 7.3 miles,Loop
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
DURATION: 4 hours
Elevation Gain/ Loss ± 741 feet
FEE: $5 parking fee
MAPS: Download from here:
http://www.larpd.org/open_space/Sycamore_trails_map.pdf
FACILITIES: picnic tables and restrooms at both entrances; hiking, bicycle and horse trails; barbecues at Arroyo Road entrance.
Please read our tutorial for hiking in the sun:
https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/tutorials/how-to-hike-in-the-sun/
OUR DOG POLICY: NO DOGS.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO TRAIL HEAD The Google map link near the top will give you directions to the park entrance.
MEETING PLACE: Trail head parking lot
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:
38°26'38.0"N 122°36'57.5"W
(Google Maps) GPS Degrees Decimal Format:
37.645129, -121.782155
Parking: Trail parking lot at park entrance. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early to find parking and walk to the trail head.
Carpooling: We will use this link for carpooling:
https://groupcarpool.com/t/pz25ge
Please sign up here.
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.
SUMMARY:
This wooded park is home to a variety of wildlife. Along the Arroyo Del Valle you might see frogs, pond turtles, dragonflies, ducks or even muskrats. In addition to this riparian area there are grassland and oak woodland habitats. Deer, ground squirrels, butterflies, lizards and birds such as red-tail hawks, white-tail kites, scrub jays, magpies and meadowlarks are just few of the animals you might spot in these areas.
HIKING DIRECTIONS:
The 7.3-Mile Grand Loop Itinerary
This continuous loop balances scenic valley flats with the park's most rewarding ridge line climbs.
The Starting Point: Start at the Wetmore Road Entrance / Staging Area. Head south past the Native Garden onto the paved Arroyo del Valle Regional Trail.
The Northern Plains: Turn right onto the gravel Winery Loop Trail, then branch left onto Wagon Road Trail. You will follow this wide dirt track as it climbs gradually through exposed grassland toward Cattail Pond Viewpoint.
The Ridge Ascent: Continue south as Wagon Road transitions toward the Valley View Trail. This is the most strenuous part of the park, taking you up rolling hills to the Valley View Viewpoint, which serves up expansive vistas of Livermore and Mt. Diablo.
The Extended Loop: Follow the winding Harrier Trail single-track along the southern boundary meadows. This loops you down toward the Ranger Amy Amphitheater area near the southern end of the park.
The Historic Return: Wind back toward the valley floor, making sure to track past the historic Olivina Winery Ruins and olive orchard.
The Flat Finish: Pick up the paved Sycamore Grove Trail heading north. Enjoy a flat, shaded stroll under the park’s namesake mature sycamore trees to finish back at the Wetmore Road lot.
PLEASE READ THE EVENT DESCRIPTION ABOVE BEFORE POSTING A MESSAGE.