Lake Del Valle
LAKE DEL VALLE 2X1 OPEN WATER RELAY
The Manatees 2x1 Lake Del Valle Open Water Relay will be August 19th at Lake
Del Valle near Livermore.
This is an update on the Manatee 2x1 Open Water
Relay Swim at Lake Del Valle. Some of you may have heard the news back in
June that water from Lake Del Valle was being diverted to supply water
purveyors due to an emergency leak on the California Aqueduct. This
situation has since been fixed and water is being released back into the
Lake. As of last Tuesday, the lake is just 1.5 feet short of its normal
elevation. We expect the lake to be back to its normal elevation well
before the race on August 19th.
The Manatee 2x1 Open Water Swim is definitely still
on for Lake Del Valle, Sunday August 19th. Vincent Pons, meet
director also extended the Pre-registration deadline to August
10th. All preregistered swimmers will receive a t-shirt this year.
It should be a great swim.
For more information or an entry form,
http://www.pacificmasters.org/manatee/2by1.htm
Located nine miles south of Livermore, this beautiful lake and park was once a Bud Lite Triathlon Series site. This area offers some great opportunities for brick workouts, or a long open water swim, and then just lolling on the beachfront, soaking up the sun. There are two swimming beaches with lifeguards, or you may swim at your own risk on this long, narrow and deep lake, 750 acres with 16 miles of shoreline. The views are endless rolling hills and grassy mountains. The west beach designated swimming area is approximately 1/4M for the full circle. This is superb for practicing your sighting, there are several turns and buoys to look out for. The west beach is past the park entrance, continuing on Del Valle Road.
If you are up for a run, the Cedar Camp trail is a very short path to the campsite area, but leads into a series of fire trails amongst the rolling hills. It is past the park entrance on Del Valle Road. For a long distance run, you may access the Ohlone Trail at Lichen Bark picnic center and run about 10 miles to Rose Peak.
Livermore
to Del Puerto Junction is a ride that is within seven miles of Del Valle.
After your ride, you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the lake, which makes for a
most excellent workout! If it is a windy day, you can see motorized miniature
glider planes flown over a valley at the top of the first hill. Be
forewarned that it is seven gradual uphill miles, after a long, hot bike ride,
you may decide to drive in. If you intend to go to Del Valle afterwards, you can
leave your car on the side of the road at Tesla and Mines Road instead of
starting in Livermore. Take a backpack with your swim gear, you can lock your
bike to a post at the beachfront, near the lifeguard. If you want additional
bike miles, continue past Del Puerto Junction to Mount
Hamilton, it is about 45M from Mines Road. From Del Puerto, It is about 12M
of flat to rolling terrain until you hit Hamilton, then it is 6M and 2300 feet
straight up. About 1.5M of that is an 8.6% grade.
Facilities: Restrooms with changing areas, drinking fountains, snack bar, and phones. There is a $4.00 charge per vehicle.
Tips:
Try to avoid weekends, this is a popular camping, boating and fishing facility. Weekdays, you pretty much have the place to yourself. Don't bother to come swimming in the winter, the lake is drained for flood control. However, it is an strange sight to see the dry lake and guys using metal detectors to try to find hidden treasures.
Wear sunscreen with insect repellent, there are
a lot of pesky flies at certain times of the year.
On your way home, stop at Joan's Farm and
Pumpkin Patch for fresh fruit and a cold drink. Specialties are Ollie berries
and dried cranberries that have no added sugar. Good for snacking and baking.
They are located on Mines Road.
There is a Port-a-Potty here.
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