Las Trampas Regional Wilderness

It comprises of two lengthy, steep hills (Las Trampas Ridge on the east and Rocky Ridge on the south) facing a narrow valley along Bollinger Creek with a horse stable and parking for visitors. Some of the hiking paths include steep parts; they may require a shift in altitude of as much as 900 feet (270 m). The park was defined as the "hard man of the East Bay Regional Park District".

 

The vegetation on the eastern and eastern hills of the two hills is predominantly black sage, shamise and buck grass, with smaller quantities of toyon, hybrid manzanitas, elderberry, gooseberry, chaparral currant, sticky monkeyflower, coffeeberry, palm tree, poison oak, hollyleaf red berry, deer weed and number of other species. Some of the rocks on display comprise compressed fossil deposits.

 

Rocky Ridge reaches an altitude of 2,024 feet (617 m). At the altitude of 1,760 feet (540 m), there is another route that runs across EBMUD land. C] The path contributes to either the Valle Vista Staging Area on the Moraga Canyon Road or the Castro Valley Chabot Staging Area. The Chamise and Bollinger Creek Loop paths refer to Las Trampas Ridge, south of Bollinger Creek. The ridge provides excellent views of the Ygnacio, San Ramon and Amador Valleys, as well as the Carquinez Straits and Mt. Diablo.

 

There are two picnic places close the parking lot called Steelhead and Shady. These can be found on a first-come, first-served basis and can not be reserved. For groups of 50 to 300 people, reservable picnic sites can be found at the nearby Little Hills Picnic Ranch.

 

On half of the paths, bicycles are permitted; riders and hikers on all the paths. Dogs are permitted. It is possible to find cows, calves, steers and an occasional free-ranging bull on the paths; their grazing holds the grass brief for the safety of summer flame. It is possible to see deer, coons, and skunks, hawks, vultures, and an occasional eagle. The most common plants are laurel from the California bay and live oak from the shore. Other species include buckeye, large maple leaf, live oak canyon, black oak and scrub oak. The latter appears to favor the ridgetop habitat at the start of the Chamise Trail with its mistletoe.