York Trail>McDonell Trail
Length: Approx. 2.5 miles Elevation Gain: Approx. 400 ft This fern-lined trail runs along the creek and up to an open fire road with stunning views of the bay area. This hike can be made shorter, and you can keep it almost entirely shady, but it requires a couple difficult scrambles down very steep, unmarked trails which are difficult to find. I kept this loop on the main trails, because the route is easier to find. Unfortunately this park has very few trail markings and lots of small side trails. For our hike, we started at the entrance off of Mountain Blvd, and hiked up the creek via a series of wooden bridges. Stay on the main trail and cross the bridges; do not take any of the skinny side trails up to the right or left. You will come to a wooden plank crossing the creek in about a half mile. Cross the plank and you'll have to make a short scramble up between the boulders. This will continue snaking up along the creek. The trail will split after passing a series of boulders. Take the split to your right, which takes you up a a set of wooden stairs and onto a wide open fire road. Go right, heading downhill, on the fire road. Soon after, at about a mile in, the trail opens up and some of the shade disappears. You'll soon see a glimpse of bay views to your right. Continue down the main, wide dirt trail. Do not take the splits to the right or left. This trail snakes down via a series of switchbacks and yields panoramic views of the bay area. You'll pass a few downed trees, an old cattle cage and a water tower. The trail ends at a white fire gate at the top of McDonell Ave. Follow this road down to Mountain Blvd, make a right, and it will take you back to where you parked on Mountain Blvd in 2 blocks. The first mile or so of this hike is great for a hot day, because it's entirely shaded, but I would recommend turning back before the shade disappears if it's a very hot day. Although the wide, dirt fire trail on the way down has intermittent shade, it can get hot under your dog's paws. |