Sunrise hike to half-Mission Peak, 5 mi/~2000 ft/2 hours, strenuous hike!
Details
Sunrise is a glorious time to explore and appreciate all that is Mission Peak! We start early to avoid the heat. We will hike just about 2/3 length of the trail - up to a the hang glider area/restroom. This will make a 2 hour round/5mi long total hike. Even at that height we will be able to catch sweeping views from the hill!
Alltrails link:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-may-25-2023-81b3833?u=i&sh=xhuo6k
But, people who want to make it to the top are free to do so on their own (as a sub-group) and that will make a ~ 6.6 mi hike, about 3 hours total.
Please note that we are NOT at the Stanford Ave trailhead.
The trail's scenery is described as follows:
Rising steeply to the east of the city of Fremont, Mission peak form a dramatic backdrop to the South Bay. The determined and conditioned hiker who reaches the top of Mission Peak will be rewarded with views of Mount Hamilton to the south, the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west, Mt. Tamalpais to the north, and Mt. Diablo and the Sierra Nevada to the northeast. Hawks and vultures share the summit airspace with sailplanes riding the thermals, and a down-to-earth herd of feral goats roams the cliffs.
Trail's summary:
* Length: 5 mi
* Elevation gain: about 2000 ft
* Qualify as strenuous trail
* Dogs are welcome and can be off-leashing in some areas
* Trail is almost 100% open space.
Please, bring:
* shoes appropriate for an unpaved trail,
* water,
* layered clothes (for season),
* flashlight,
* hiking poles if you used to them,
* hat,
* sunglasses and sunscreen can be useful til the sun's bright.
Mission Peak Regional Preserve is managed by the East Bay Regional Park District, here is the map of the area:
https://www.ebparks.org/parks/mission-peak#maps
And here is our hike on the map (2h/5mi to hang glider area, not up to the top):
https://www.meetup.com/superfab/photos/33232850/513164684/
Where we meet:
At Mission Peak trailhead at Ohlone College. Parking is $4, if you street park - it's free, and usually available at weekday evenings.
Remember, NO WATER along the trail then, so bring enough water with you!
Let's meet each other at Mission Peak trail!