Our Oakland: Oakland Trails: Dimond to Chabot

Yesterday, Okay and I joined Stan Dodson and a small, hearty group to hike from Dimond to Chabot Area and Science Middle. Stan is the supervisor of La Farine Bakery on Fruitvale the place we started the hike. However he is additionally the founding father of OaklandTrails.org and the producer of the documentary Trailhead: Discovering Oakland’s Gateway to the Redwoods. We have been joined on the hike by native historian (and Legendary Native) Dennis Evanosky, who can be a part of the documentary.

It did not take lengthy from our begin earlier than we have been in Dimond Park. There we acquired our first have a look at Sausal Creek. A restoration challenge that was accomplished earlier this yr included daylighting a 180 foot part of the creek that had been culverted for many years. It is made an enormous distinction within the park, including each the to visible magnificence but in addition the assist for native wildlife. We continued up the Sausal Creek watershed into Dimond Canyon, and noticed a number of the tasks that the OaklandTrails.org volunteers have been concerned in. Stan’s fundraiser for the Trailhead documentary was so profitable that he had some cash left to have path markers made for the route, too. Which is an efficient factor, because the route takes a number of non-obvious turns.

We stopped at varied factors to catch our breath, hear some information from Stan or some historical past from Dennis, or simply admire the views. Even with the stops, we completed the 5.5 mile, 1,500+ foot climb in about 2.5 hours. At Chabot, we hopped on an AC Transit bus for a 10-minute experience again to our begin on Fruitvale Ave. It is superb to have such an exquisite, pure space throughout the bounds of Oakland, and that may be reached on foot, by transit or by automotive. From the paths close to Chabot, you’ll be able to hook up with lots of of miles of trails, together with the 550-mile Bay Ridge Path.

Stan leads the hikes not only for most people, however for college teams, after-school packages and others. And OaklandTrails.org does path upkeep, patrols the parks to assist customers and appears for fallen bushes and different hazards, and works to enhance the paths. To donate or volunteer, take a look at OaklandTrails.org to be taught extra. You’ll be able to watch the Trailhead documentary there, too. You need not anticipate one in every of Stan’s guided hikes, although. Maps can be found on-line, path markers are there, so get out and discover a number of the pure magnificence right here in Oakland!

See the pictures full-size right here.