As the weather turns warmer, May’s hike will take us to the cooler climes of Oakland’s Joaquin Miller Park, the city’s “Jewel in the redwoods”. We’ll start by hiking to Lookout Point for striking views of the bay and then reverse course and venture into the woodsy section of the park on mostly shaded trails with beautiful coast redwoods, pine, oak, bay laurel, madrone and wild blackberry.
The park takes its name from Cincinnatus Hiner (“Joaquin”) Miller who arrived in Oakland in the 1880s and purchased land in the Oakland hills. Known as quite a colorful figure, he was a pony-express rider, lawyer, judge, teacher, gold prospector, nomad, and author. He also planted thousands of trees on his property and built stone monuments to his heroes.
Meeting Place
Joaquin Miller Park. Meet at the Community Center parking lot, 3594 Sanborn Drive, Oakland. If that parking lot is full, exit the lot and turn left on Sanborn Drive. There is a large parking lot about 50 yards down the road. The group will meet in front of the restrooms at the Community Center parking lot.
When: 9am, Saturday, May 30th.
Distance: 4.3-mile loop on mostly dirt trails with a few paved sections and an elevation gain of 525 feet. The route is considered easy to moderate with some rocks and tree roots embedded in the trails and includes some climbing and descending. Much of the route will be shared by mountain bikers and other hikers.
Please Bring:
Essential: Comfortable walking shoes, water, sweater/ jacket as needed.
Recommended: A snack, sunscreen, hat, walking poles if you like to us them
How to join: It’s free, so please sign up through the online schedule – the same as a usual class, or email or WhatsApp us to add you.
Other Information:
Restrooms and drinking water are available at the start of the hike and at about 1.5 miles along the route.
Parking is free.
Members, family and friends are welcome.
Dogs – allowed on leash.
After the hike, the park offers a small visitor center located at the Community Center parking lot.