The Bay Area Ridge Trail through Loma Alta Open Space Preserve climbs two miles and 1,000 feet up to a grassy hilltop before descending a similar number of miles and feet to the opposite trail head. On a clear day, the view from the peak includes San Pablo Bay, Mount Diablo and the San Francisco skyline.
We are hiking the 400-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail. Sign up to follow our progress here.
TRAIL MAP (date hiked)
- White Hill/Loma Alta Open Space to Lucas Valley Open Space (Feb. 17, 2022)
Our Journal
The hike to Loma Alta is very straight forward. Two miles up one side. Two miles down the other. Magnificent views at the peak. Nothing tricky, especially compared to steeper, rockier and more remote Ridge Trail segments we have experienced.
Easy or difficult, we carry a set of emergency supplies on every outing to mitigate the impact of trail hazards. And last fall we gratefully accepted help from a stranger who ferried Dan off a mountain in an ATV when a medical issue flared.
At Loma Alta, the trail coming down the south side of the mountain is slick with pebbles and crumbly rock. We did fine, moving cautiously, trekking poles in hand, and staying to the side of the trail and away from the schist. But about a mile from the end of the trail we encountered a hiker who had wrenched his knee. We asked him and his two companions how we could help.
They had trekking poles and a phone and service to make a call. They didn’t need water and declined an offer of ibuprofin. But they did accept our offer of an ace bandage. Unfortunately, the bandage apparently was not enough because an EMT team pulled up as we reached the end of the trail. At least we were able to confirm the nature of the injury and direct the team up the right trail.
This was not a life-threatening situation. And we’re confident that it had a satisfactory resolution. But we’ll never forget the kindness we once found on the trail. And it felt good to have an opportunity to pay it forward.
Miles we hiked
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