Rose Peak, 1163m (3,817ft)
Schlieper Rock, 929m (3,080ft)
Rocky Ridge, 739m (2,426ft)

Introduction

These high points are found the the Ohlone Regional District, a part of the East Bay Regional District. Two popular access points are Sunol Regional Wilderness and Del Valle.

Rose Peak is a popular hiking goal. Raising 3,817ft above sea level, the hill is only 32 feet shorter than Mt. Diablo, further north. All the high points described are easily accessible from the Ohlone Wilderness Trail (Sunol - Del Valle), but Schlieper Rock and Rocky Ridge is closer to Del Valle.

Rose Peak is among hikers considered the high point of Alameda county, although a slightly higher point exists nearby - on private property.

The Sunol/Ohlone/Mission Peak wilderness is a very popular recreation area for people in the east bay region. Don't expect to have the territory all for yourself!

Trail descriptions:

Sunol Regional Wilderness - Rose Peak (summer) 235m (770ft) Difficulty : Low Risk : Low Distance : Approx 9,5 miles to Rose Peak Time : Approx. 4 hours to Rose Peak Starting Elev.: Click for larger map Click for Interactive map Access: Near Pleasanton on I680, exit east onto Calaveras Road. Follow Calaveras into the Sunol Regional Wilderness and exit on Geary Road. Follow Geary Road to the fee station. A fee for hiking and for parking is required. With the permit, you also get a hiking map. The trail: The trail begins nearby the Geary Road/Sunol sign-in panel. Cross the creek and begin the 9,5 miles long hike on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, eastbound. The trail is wide and visible. The elevation gain is for the most part gentle. You will pass cattle on the way. Expect the cattle also to be on the middle of the trail. Although they should be well used to people, I don't see the point in walking inbetween them. The vistas are beautiful, and despite the number of jeep-roads and trails seen along the way, one gets the feeling of being out in the wilderness. For more information, please refer to the Sunol/Ohlone web sites (links in the introduction), the permit map or TopZone's interactive map (linked above).

Del Valle - Rocky Ridge - Schlieper Rock (summer) 235m (770ft) Difficulty : Low Risk : Low Distance : Approx 4,6 miles to Schlieper Rock Time : Approx. 2-3 hours to Schliepe Rock Starting Elev.: Click for larger map Click for Interactive map Access: From I680, exit to Livermore and from Livermore, follow signs towards Del Valle Regional Park (or ask around for driving instructions). Find parking by the Lichen Bark Picnic Area at the south end of the reservoir. The trail: From the picnic area, follow the Ohlone Wilderness Trail southbound. The trail ascends steady from 750ft to Rocky Ridge point at 2426ft. Rocky Ridge lies just west of the trail, but is easily seen from the trail. The trail continues down to, and over Sycamore Flats at 2000ft before the trail switchbacks steep south-west to Schlieper Rock at 3080ft. Schlieper Rock is a hill on the left hand side of the trail. As far as I can remember, there was a sign, on a rock, I believe, that marks Schlieper Rock. For more information, please refer to the Sunol/Ohlone web sites (links in the introduction), the permit map or TopZone's interactive map (linked above).

General Notes:

Bring plenty of water and sunscreen for hot days. Me and Roberta Dezao hiked to Schlieper Rock in 104 deg. Fahrenheit, and the need for fluid was very present. I don't remember exactly how long the Schlieper Rock hike took, but the Sunol - Rose Peak hike took about 8 hours, total.

Pictures from Rose Peak trail:

Note: On the pictures, I have wrongly used the name Mt. Rose. Correct is of course Rose Peak.