Sunol Ohlone Regional Wilderness, East Bay

Pleasure Rating:   1 2 3 4 5

Difficulty Rating:  1 2 3 4 5

Mileage: est 4 mile loop 
Click Here for Map of Cave Rocks Loop

Sunol Ohlone Regional Wilderness, East Bay

Cave Rocks

Why Sunol Ohlone?

Sunday and sunny is a recipe for a smile; but add in a gorgeous local hike, and now you have bliss.  This was my Sunday whilst exploring the Sunol Ohlone Regional Wilderness with my family last weekend- bliss.

Located just about 10 minutes off of I-680 in Sunol, this East Bay Regional Park is convenient and expansive, offering hiking trails, activities, and services to suit any visitor.  Whether you crave a cozy creekside picnic with the backside of Mission Peak in view, or a bit of trotting around on horseback, or yearn for a walk-about in the rolling hillsides, you will find it here.  Perhaps like me, you dream of exploring the numerous rock formations of Little Yosemite and Cave Rocks while trekking on the many miles of hiking trails- this park literally has it all.

We have visited this park frequently, but no matter how many times we go, it just never disappoints.  This particularly sunny Sunday in mid-January, we decided to explore the Cave Rocks area.  Winter is the probably the best time to take this particular hike because the hillsides are a dazzling emerald green color, its not too hot, and best of all, the local “fauna” is hibernating.  As is true in most of the Western United States during the dry hot months of summer, rattlesnakes and tarantulas are commonly found hiding in the shadows of these rocks, (Yikes!) but are extremely uncommon in winter.

Here is my recommendation for a great day hike in Sunol Ohlone Regional Wilderness:

For a map of this park visit: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/ohlone#trailmap

What to bring:

Pack a backpack full of water, snacks, lunch; and to keep spirits high, throw in some treats.  I bring lollipops or bite sized chocolates.  Make sure you have comfortable hiking shoes and some layers to peel off or put back on.  You might be warm on the hike up, but the easy downhill can spur on a chill as your sweat combines with the wind.

Let's Get Hiking!

Starting from the parking lot at the Sunol Visitor Center, take the Indian Joe Nature Trail, then hop scotch on rocks over the quiet Indian Joe Creek, and begin the 2-mile trek toward Cave Rocks on the Indian Joe Creek Trail, appropriately named because it follows the creekbed throughout the hike.  The miniature waterfalls and trickling water sounds are seen and heard throughout this first leg of the hike, which adds to the quaint ambiance and beauty of the experience.  The steady uphill climb might require frequent water breaks and a quick rest, but won’t present a daunting challenge.  Enjoy the vistas, stop to smell the chaparral bushes in winter bloom, and listen to the sounds of swallows and the babbling brook.  You might even spot some deer or hear the moo of cows in the distance.  It is all part of the experience!  Soon you will arrive at the main attraction, Cave Rocks.

This impressive collection rocks, some reaching 50 feet tall, harken a feeling of being in a remote area of the high Sierras.  The sharp jagged edges, towering heights, and deep crevices are not for the faint of heart.  For those who don’t mind some adventure and are not fearful of heights, Cave Rocks presents a fun opportunity to climb and jump, scale and scramble around.  Be EXTREMELY careful with small children, as there are numerous hazards, drop offs, loose rocks and cracks.  It’s not a huge area, but big enough to play around for a while before everyone needs a lunch break. 

For lunch, continue the assent for about .25-mile until the trail veers to the left and intersects with Cave Rocks Road.  You might spot a small pond on the right filled with timid turtles and playful salamanders.  The kids will love observing the abundant water creatures. Follow this fire lane dirt trail another .25-mile along until you reach High Valley Camp Trail where a beautiful old barn with a perfect picnic area and bathrooms (albeit outhouses), and a water spigot await you.  

This is a great time to rest, eat your sandwiches, take a bathroom break, and enjoy the view.  Deep below is the Sunol Valley, across is the backside of Mission Peak, and behind you is the frontside of Flag Hill- everywhere you look is beauty.  

From the High Valley Camp picnic area, take the Hayfield Road trail to descend back toward the visitor center.  This roughly 2-mile downhill is fast and easy, and provides scenic vistas of the valley below and the surrounding hillsides.

For a day in the wilderness, a bit of adventure, and a hike that is sure to please, 
visit Sunol Ohlone Regional Wilderness.