Las Trampas Regional Wilderness Park

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Las Trampas Regional Wilderness is a regional park of 5.342 acres (21.62 km2) located in the counties of Alameda and Contra Costa in northern California. Danville, California, is the nearest town to the city. Las Trampas is a Spanish trap or snare park. The park is part of the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD).

 

Las Trampas Wilderness Regional Preserve offers 5,778 acres of wilderness and an extended trail system that allows hikers and horseback riders to enjoy remote and rugged areas. The park 's size and terrain allow visitors a sense of privacy and an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Take plenty of drinking water for yourself, your dog(s) and your horse(s) to visit the park. The water supply of the park is inconsistent and water may be unavailable at any time.

 

It consists of two long, hilly ridges (Las Trampas Ridge on the east and Rocky Ridge on the west) flanking a narrow valley along Bollinger Creek, which contains a horse stable and a visitor car park. Some of the hiking trails include steep sections; they can cover up to 900 feet (270 m) of altitude change. [b] The park has been described as "a tough man in the East Bay Regional Park District."

 

The vegetation on the southern and western slopes of the two ridges is predominant: black sage, chamise and buck brush, with less toy, hybrid manzanitas, elderberry, gooseberry, chaparral currant, sticky monkey flower, coffee berry, coyote bush, poison oak, holly leaf red berry, deer weed and dozens of other species. Some of the exposed rocks contain compressed layers of fossils.

 

Rocky Ridge reaches a height of 2,024 feet (617 m). At an altitude of 1,760 feet (540 m), there is another trail that leads across the EBMUD land. [c] The trail leads either to the Valle Vista staging area on Canyon Road in Moraga or south to the Chabot staging area in Castro Valley.

 

The Chamise and Bollinger Creek Loop trails lead to Las Trampas Ridge, east of Bollinger Creek. The ridge offers good views of the valleys of Ygnacio, San Ramon and Amador, as well as Mt. Diablo and Carquinez.

 

There are two picnic areas, called Steelhead and Shady, near the parking lot. They are available on a first-come , first-served basis and can not be reserved. Picnic sites are available for groups of 50 to 300 people at the nearby Little Hills Picnic Ranch.

 

Bicycles are allowed on half of the trails; riders and hikers on all the trails. Dogs are allowed to go. Cows, calves, steering wheels and an occasional free-range bull can be found on the trails; their grazing keeps the grass short for summer fire safety. Cattle should not be approached as they can become defensive and dangerous. Deer, coons, rattans, and skunks can be seen, as well as hawks, vultures, and an occasional eagle. Coyotes and bobcats are very common. Mountain lion tracks have been observed, while large-cat sightings are extremely rare. Caution should be exercised with small dogs and children, especially after sunset, in respect of wild animals.