Briones Reservoir and San Pablo Reservoir Drive and 2.4 mile hike from Alhambra Creek Staging Area (2/2/25)
10:00 AM Meet at the Safeway parking lot in Lafayette. There’s usually decent parking open near BofA and Citibank (closed on Sundays). Grab a coffee at Starbucks/Peet’s, Jamba Juice. To-Go sandwich or snack and beverage for after the hike!
10:30 AM Depart lot. Navigate to Briones Overlook Staging Area, Orinda. Via Happy Valley Rd. and Bear Creek Rd. (7.1 mi.). North on Oak Hill Rd. (0.2 mi.) Left on Deer Hill Rd. (0.2 mi.) Right on Happy Valley Rd. (4.0 mi.) Left on Bear Creek Rd. (2.7 mi)
10:50 AM Arrive at Briones Overlook Staging Area, Orinda. Just a quick stop to regroup, peek at Briones Reservoir. There is a toilet here if needed. There is NOT a toilet at the hike-stop end-point.
10:55 AM Navigate to San Pablo Dam Rd. & Castro Ranch Rd., El Sobrante. (6.9 mi.) Head Right from lot onto Bear Creek Rd. (1.5 mi.) Right on San Pablo Dam Rd. (5.4 mi.) RIGHT on Castro Ranch Rd. * Navigate to Alhambra Creek Staging Area (11.2 mi) via Alhambra Valley Rd. Continue North on Castro Ranch Rd. (2.3 mi.) Right onto Alhambra Valley Rd. (7.6 mi.) Continue straight onto Reliez Valley Rd. (0.6 mi.) Right on Brookwood Dr. (0.8 mi.) 11:25 AM Arrive at Alhambra Creek Staging Area, Martinez, CA. Likely best group parking on the East side of the lot. Let’s try to park together. Put your boot or trail shoes on, stretch, grab your day-pack and water bottle… we’ll hit the hiking trail by noon! It’s about a 1-hour loop hike (2.4 mi.) Head southwest on Orchard Trail (about 500 ft.) Keep Left onto Alhambra Creek Trail (1 mi.) Sharp Left on Spengler Trail (0.2 mi.) Keep left onto Diablo View Trail ( 1.2 mi.) back to the lot.
12:30 PM LUNCH TIME! Take a break, pat yourselves on the back for closing your exercise and move rings (lol) and “recharge” before heading home or off to your next adventure (*no Rivian charging here). BYO food and drinks and something extra to share (optional). This will be “tailgate party” style next to our Rivians (of course!). Show off your setup, accessories, mods and upgrades. Who’s got an e-cooler, kitchen, or outdoor shower!? Stick around for some group photos (anyone with a drone?) and head out as you like, but I figure it will wrap up by around 1:30 PM.
Thanks for joining us!
*BONUS- All attendees will receive a BARC Recycled Poly Cinch Pack!- you can carry your gear/snacks/water on our hike!