Rose Peak, Ohlone Wilderness Trail

Located in the wildest and most remote land remaining in the East Bay hills, the Ohlone Wilderness Trail climbs 3,427 feet over the course of 10 miles to reach Rose Peak (3,817 feet). This 20 mile out-and-back section is noted for being the most scenic within the 28 mile length of the trail. The trail bypasses the summit, so you will need to make a .2 mile side trip to take in the views of the west of the San Francisco Bay and beyond, and to the east of the Sierra Nevada, which may be topped in snow during the winter months. For the past century, this land was used almost exclusively as ranch land, and cattle continue to graze here.

A permit is required, and can be purchased for $2.00 at the entrance to the park. Trail users are required to sign in and out; while this may not be the "wildest" trail you have ever run, it certainly could be the most remote. The park ranger was reluctant to sell me a permit, telling me twice that this was a very strenuous 20 mile hike, and that most people take two days to make the trek. While I was signing in, I talked to another runner who just came from Rose
Peak, and assured me it is quite doable. It is less strenuous than the Mt. Diablo Challenge, because you have a gradual, not steep, climb to the summit. (Although it is twice as long).

Be sure to read the trail descriptions and conditions before starting out. Follow the red leaf EBRPD discs on the trail markers; most of the directional signs indicate campsites, not the trailheads. Each marker points to the direction of the trail, some are numbered so you can plot your progress as you pass them. The permit/map provides the distance between the mileage markers. Be prepared for oppressively hot weather in the summertime, with very little shade for relief. This run is best done when you have developed a strong endurance base in the heat. Take several energy bars, or two gel flasks-nothing ruins a long run like running out of fuel.

The first three miles is popular with walkers and hikers visiting the Little Yosemite gorge on the Alameda Creek. It serves as a good warm up for the hilly, challenging terrain that begins at the Backpack Area. Be sure to fill your water system here, there is no water available for the next seven miles until you reach Rose Peak. The trail is single track for about two miles, and then the directional markers lead you to fire roads. As you gradually climb and make the ridge, the only bad patch is just past marker #25, which takes you to about 3,000 ft.
It is a very steep downhill, and consequently, a steep uphill on the return trip.

You may also access the Ohlone Trail from Del Valle Regional Park.

Do the Palomares-Niles Canyon Loop and the Calaveras Loop combined.

Directions:

The most direct route is off of Calveras/ Hwy. 84, six miles south of I-680. Follow the signs to the park on Geary Road.

From Hwy. 237, go past Ed Levin Regional Park, it turns into Calaveras Road. Make sure to take a left on Calaveras, do not continue on Felter Road. From there it is 12M around the reservoir to Geary Road. This looks like a great bike route, or even a run with minimal traffic on this one-laned, winding, road.

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